I wish I’d known the mistakes to avoid when pitching brands when I began pitching back in 2016. I know that I’ve made my fair share of mistakes when it comes to pitching brands, I should have Googled LOL! I’ve been blogging 8 years but I didn’t begin pitching seriously brands until 2016. I had no idea that you could even make money from blogging, let alone pitch brands for collaborations. Once I started pitching the game changed! My blogging income increased. At this time I was also still working full time.
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I know that pitching can be tough. I’ve been there where I’ve never gotten a response and wondered why. This is why I want to share with you all the mistakes to avoid when pitching brands. I’ve made a ton of mistakes, and i don’t want that for you. If you know better you do better right? I would like to mention that I worked in influencer marketing at a beauty company so I’ve also seen my fair share of pitches that were not good at all.
Here are 10 mistakes to avoid when pitching brands
Pitching to the wrong person
It happens right? But with pitching, this is a huge mistake. So many people make this mistake and it’s totally understandable. If you’ve never pitched you wouldn’t know who the correct person to contact is. When I first started I would just pitch for example a name of someone I found online that works at the company. Michelle@companyname.com. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn’t. You don’t want your email to go into the black hole of influencer emails that brands get. The best thing is to find the correct contact. I’m in a ton of blogger groups online that share contacts for different brands. Just make sure if you are a part of those groups that you are active before reaching out to ask for a contact.
Not Being Ready To Pitch
What do I mean by this? One of the best things you can do before you pitch a brand as an influencer is to have your stuff together. Before you go on a job interview you make sure you have your resume, you look presentable, etc, right? This same approach applies to your blog and social networks.
Check out: How to stand out as an influencer in 2019
Not Pitching Far Enough In Advance
This one is huge. Not pitching far out enough can be a major red flag to brands. I am not going to lie, I’ve definitely done this before. Sometimes it worked, other times it didn’t. Sometimes it can take a very long time for brands to get approval for campaigns. If you have a campaign that’s time-sensitive, like a sponsored hotel for your birthday is next week, the farther out you pitch the better chances it will be a success. For campaigns that may be time-sensitive make sure you pitch about a month or 2 out so the brand has time to approve the campaign.
Not Sending A Professional Email
Shocker? Nope, I’ve seen it all. Professionalism as a blogger is so very important. Don’t email the brand like you are best friends with them. Make sure the grammar and spelling are correct in your email and also that you don’t use slang or emojis. Please, please make sure you spell the person’s name you are emailing correctly.
Not Introducing Yourself To The Brand
Please and I am so serious, please don’t assume the brand knows who you are. Introduce yourself, what you do, what you share on your blog and social channels etc. Don’t assume the person behind the computer at the brand you are pitching knows you.
Not Telling The Brand What You Can Do For Them
I’ve been blessed to be able to see pitches from both ends. On the blogger end and on the brand’s end. Brands want to know what you can do for them, I’ve seen a lot of pitches that are just me me me, but working and collaborating with brands so be a two-way beneficial street.
[ Tweet “How can you help the brand? How will your collaboration be beneficial to the brand? You have to get creative with what you are pitching.”]
There are tons of bloggers pitching the same thing you are pitching, but how will you stand out from the crowd? Let the brand know everything you are going to offer, blog posts, High-Res photos the whole nine. Believe me, when I say I have seen my fair share of pitches that just say “I would love to collaborate.” Ma’am, on what? You have to explain to the brand how you will provide value.
Providing TOO MANY Details
Yes, there is such thing as providing too many details. Most pitches that are too long and that go on and on just get deleted. As your initial pitch to a brand please don’t give your life story. 9 times out of 10 the person on the other end probably does not care that your dog just got neutered. Keep the email short, sweet, and to the point.
Not Giving Enough Information
And here is the other side of being too vague, not giving enough information. Just saying “ I want to collaborate” won’t cut it. Don’t give your life story but also don’t overwhelm the person at the other end. Just make sure you have all the major points in the email:
- Who you are
- What you can do for the brand
- Your Idea
Not Ending The Email Strong
I know pitching can be scary but you need to make sure that at the end of your email you don’t say “let me know your thoughts”. NO!! End with I look forward to speaking with you, or I hope to hear from you soon. If your email seems like to a PR professional or brand that there is no sort of action on the email they will move on. Make them reply back to you.
Not Following Up/ or Not Following Up Correctly
Sigh, the follow-up. I think I am a master follow up girl. LOL! Like seriously. I know there are many bloggers who just send pitches wait and never do anything after that. Following up can be the determining factor of you landing the partnership. Follow up as many times as needed without being spammy. Also, make sure you are tracking when you send emails. I’d say if they don’t respond in 2 weeks after you send your initial pitch follow up. Don’t give up! You got this!
Now that you’ve learned the mistakes to avoid when pitching brands, are you ready to pitch?
