It's quite common for influencers to reach out to brands they admire, showcasing not only their audience and content but also their desire to collaborate. If your brand finds itself on the receiving end of an influencer request, do you have a process in place to navigate it smoothly? Let's explore the three most common types of requests brands receive and how best to respond.
1. Responding to Collaboration Inquiries: When an influencer expresses interest in working with your brand, take a closer look at their social channels. Review content, follower count, and engagement to determine if the influencer aligns with your brand. If they do, consider drafting a proposal for additional details.
Response Steps:
Agree to explore a collaboration.
Inquire about campaign details.
Clearly state what compensation your brand offers, whether it's exposure, free products, or monetary compensation.
2. Responding to Product Requests: If an influencer requests a product, carefully review their inquiry. Determine if they are looking to trade the product for a social media post or if monetary compensation is implied.
Response Steps:
Express interest in working together.
Seek clarity on the campaign and compensation details.
Inquire about the influencer's vision for the process and publication timeline.
Example Response: "Hello [Influencer's Name],
Thank you for your interest in our [product]. After checking your social channels, I'm excited about exploring this opportunity further. Can you provide more details on how you envision the process, your publication timeline, and whether the product serves as compensation for an endorsement on your [specific social channel]? Additionally, is the company able to reuse the content on its channels? Looking forward to hearing from you."
3. Handling Influencer Negotiations: In some cases, influencer campaigns involve negotiations, especially regarding compensation. If an influencer raises the topic of negotiation, consider offering additional perks if monetary adjustments are not feasible.
Response Steps:
Offer additional content for the same price.
Suggest a discount in exchange for a long-term collaboration.
Provide non-monetary perks such as VIP access, networking opportunities, early product access, brand exposure, or shared content.
Example Response: "Hi [Influencer's Name],
Thank you for sharing your compensation expectations. While our budget is fixed, we'd love to offer two additional perks if you're willing to keep your price at ₹[Rupee] for the content: an event ticket and a free product. Let us know your thoughts."
Remember, negotiations often involve compromises. If the influencer counters or declines, it's okay – there are many influencers to explore. Responding thoughtfully to influencer requests can lay the foundation for a fruitful collaboration and a potential long-term relationship.