As someone who has worked on several blogger outreach programs for consumer goods companies, I have had many experiences on the other side of blogging – from the company’s perspective. I’ve already shared 6 Tips When Working With Brands based on my experiences which focused on making it easy for them to communicate with you when they hunt you out. Today I want to share 6 more tips on ways you can be more successful when you write to them aka giving them “the pitch.”
1. Make your subject line unique and mention your blog by name.
Start with the general topic you are reaching out about and end with your blog’s name, right there in the subject. It will help categorize you in their inbox and even remind them about you when they see your name in print once you start a relationship. Example: “Holiday Gift Guide 2014 Request from SpotofTeaDesigns.com” or “Product review request from SpotofTeaDesigns.com.”
2. Mention the company or a favorite product in your pitch.
Companies know that you as a blogger may be reaching out to multiple companies during any given time but they want to feel special too! Address them by name and not “To Whom It May Concern.” It also doesn’t hurt to fluff up their ego a little and talk about a specific product of theirs you love and why. This shows that you are a true fan and not just grabbing at straws to try to get free product. Just make sure you are mentioning the correct company/product in your pitch. You’d be surprised how many people are copying and pasting yet forget to change one part! Not a great first impression!
3. Follow the company before you make your pitch.
If you want to work with a company and you want them to follow you, before you reach out and provide your media kit, make sure to follow them on all the channels you want to be followed on. This shows your initiative to work with them socially. Don’t put the work in their hands.
4. Don’t put the work in their hands.
I’ll reiterate it from my last point. You’d be surprised how many people would reach out on Facebook or through email and leave their message with “please email me for details on my rates and availability.” Just NO. Give them the basic information they’d be looking for in a media kit or a brief email and throw in your pitch at the end. It’s ok to say you’re looking forward to connecting but don’t direct them to email you if you want to work with them. It makes it seem like you’re giving them a chore.
5. Don’t be too wordy.
Give a brief introduction on yourself and your readers, stats and propose a way to work together in a somewhat short pitch. Don’t reiterate everything that’s already on your “about page” about the history on why you came to be the awesome blogger that you are. Don’t get too wordy or include too many paragraphs or else your company contact will skim and possibly even skip you. Sorry, but they just don’t have time!
6. Include hyperlinks in your email.
If you want them to check you out, link them to what they should see! Include your blog as a hyperlink in the opening paragraph when you mention it by name or list it and your social media channels in your signature. Companies will most likely not Google you based on a proposal email alone. Include the links and make it easy for them. (and so they can see that you already follow them – reiteration of point 3!)
I hope that these 6 points will help you make successful connections with the brands you love most! Good luck!
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