Hey Ladies
Since i am a total beauty freak and i love all things revolving skin care, cosmetics, and makeup, my dream was always to get beauty brands to send me stuff as a PR sample and i get to take loooots of pictures and post them on my blog and Instagram. That dream of collaborating with beauty brands has actually become reality lately and i am super thrilled that my work ethics worked out. Therefore, i wanted to share them with you ladies so you each get an opportunity and a better understanding of how to get beauty brands or any brand to collab with you.
How to get beauty brands to collaborate with you
Numbers do not mean anything
The idea that you must have 10k followers on your blog or social media in order for brands to be interested in you is total nonsense! Now that we covered that we could start optimizing what you already have. Yes, it gives you more leverage if you have a large audience, but most brands look at engagement — not just numbers! If you’re still working on your first few hundred followers but you have lots of comments, feedback, and social media shares, you are good to go.
Search for companies that fit your blog theme
I personally love beauty and i am passionate about makeup products, so i chose to go after beauty brands. However, if you love Art and DIY projects then go for the brands that represent that. Once you figured out what you want and what fits in your overall theme then you could start researching companies.
How to get contacts
I first check out their website if i can find an email address. If there is nothing besides customer service contact i then go search on LinkedIn. On linkedin, I search under PR/Marketing, if i cant find a direct email address, i then take the name of the person and search if i can find them on Instagram and contact them through DM. I know i am a total stocker when it comes to it lol but it works!
I also check out bloggers in my niche and see what brands they are working with and then reach out accordingly. Also sometimes just leaving comments on the brand’s page like “i would love to try so and so” can get you a positive reply!
What also worked for me is tagging every single brand in my Instagram pictures, if they are impressed with your picture they will many times reach out directly, which happened to me often!
Think a bit outside of the box and aim for smaller brands or up-and-coming brands that would love the organic exposure that a feature on a blog can offer. I’ve found that these types of companies are easier to partner with because there is less of a big company chain you need to fight through to find the right person to contact.
What to write in your email
Click on contacts and click on the email info. Some brands have already reassigned Blog/PR email address which is great. If you see a first name, always start your email with the name, this gives it a more personal approach. Keep it short!
- Intro about you and your blog (one to two lines
- Why you love their brand and products
- What you want to do with their product (blog post, shout out, giveaway, pictures, etc.)
- Sign off with links to your social media platforms and Blog URL
What worked for me
Whenever i received products to review, i went ahead and wrote them a thank you email and sent them a link to my post, like this you stay in their mind a bit. Furthermore, every picture i took on Instagram i tagged every single item to the matching company. Many times they reply or they repost your picture which gives you great exposure.
Make sure the pictures are clear and nicely displayed. Companies want to see how you interpreted their products in a professional way.
Keep Going
Most brands will at least respond to your initial email, but do not get discouraged if they say no, most of them say yes! It’s just a matter of finding the ones that are a great fit. Make a pre-made email so that you could send it out to several companies until you’re able to land your first collaboration.
Good luck! Have you ever been able to collaborate? What are your tips? What things worked for you?
Let me hear if i was able to help you out a bit and feel free to ask me questions 🙂
You can also follow my Blogging tips Board on Pinterest for more helpful tips:)
Meanwhile for more beauty, fashion and lifestyle inspiration catch me on: Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Bloglovin / Twitter
warm wishes,
toby
This is a fantastic post. After the crazy holidays are over, I am totally going to sit down and use all these tips to reach companies. This is such an amazing post love!! I shared this to twitter because I want more people to read this! I can’t wait to start emailing companies after the holidays. I would do it now but with my actual job and blogging reviews, I am out of time haha. I am saving this post to make sure I remember to reread it after the holidays. I can’t wait to start emailing and collaborating.
My tips are to join blogging networks. That is what I have done so far and have reached many companies that way. However, I love this approach and will be trying this too.
Thanks so much love again. You are amazing!!!!
Author
Thank you for this lovely comment! i know it tends to get busy now with the holidays but many companies have special gifts now and might be interested in collaboration. An email never hurts:) which blgging networks did you join? xx
This is very true. On my days off, I will try and sit down and email them haha. I have brandbacker, iFabbo, Blogger Babes, and Blog Dash.
Author
do any of those work? since i have signed up for iFabbo but maybe i do not know how to use them lol
I have received one product from them in the shop. However, they make profiles for you about your blog. Companies then can search the blog database and email you if they think you are a good fit for their companies. I have received many emails this way.
Author
oh wow interesting. i will check it out 🙂 i guess we ended up helping each other xx
I also google blogger networks and sign up for the ones in my niche. This is how I have received collaborations with companies hehe. And yes we def did!! I love that about blogging! We all help each other out hehe!
thank you for your valuable tips girl!!
Thank you for the tips! I have been wondering how people get collaborations with a company. 🙂
Author
Your welcome 🙂 hope i was able to help xx
Was wondering how to break in to beauty industry
LOVE this post! So inspiring, and very informative, thank ya so much 😘
Author
thank you for reading xx
You are so welcome! Xo
Great tips!! And so true how the up and coming brands are the best ones to reach out to!
Author
yes it is just hard to find them sometimes
This is definitely a must read post for any up coming beauty blogger and the ideas are exquisite.
Author
thank you sweety xx
Great post! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Author
your welcome ash xx
Amazing tips Toby!! So lucky to have you on our team! xo
Author
thank you annie! it is a great team and its great to help out xx
love it😊 great points!!xxx
Great post! Some very useful tips, thank you! X
Author
thank you xx
Superb post huni – wonderful tips, particularly for those new to approaching companies!! Invaluable advice huni 🙂 Hope you’re keeping as well as can be lovely lady <3 Karen XXXXXXXX
Author
thank you karen! hope your doing well too xx
Amazing post, very useful tips! Thank you xo.
Author
thank you for reading xx
Amazing tips, Toby! Thank you so much for sharing and I’m so happy to hear that your dreams are coming true! Who doesn’t love lots of new goodies to play with?! xoxox
This was so helpful, thank you for sharing! Good luck continuing to grow your blog, I’m a big fan of reading it xx
Author
aww thank you! thats so nice of you xx
Great tips lovely! So Helpful!
xo, Shell
http://acourageousbeauty.com/
Really helpful post. I have a question though: How would you talk about a sponsored post with companies? 🙂
Author
thank you lovely. I would first say that i am really liking their products and why then suggest that you would love to try it out and in return you will write a post about it.
Oh okay thank you for your help
Author
my pleasure
Author
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Love this! I have been wondering how to start collaborating! I have a very small following right now and its encouraging of you to say that doesn’t matter! 🙂
Author
it really doesnt jessie. just keep engaged with your readers and i always say wost case they say no:)
Thanks for the great advice! I recently had a company contact me but did not feel they were a great fit for my Instagram or blog…still contemplating this one. Sent an inquiry on IG to another brand and they asked me to email so wish me luck!
Author
thats so exciting! i hope it works out well! thanks for stopping by xx
Great post! I’ve just started working with brands last year having had my blog for YEARS! And you’re right, it’s about persistence and contacting the right people. Thanks for sharing
BLEURGH – http://www.bleurghnow.com
Thanks for the inspo Toby! I need to get onto this 😉
Sammy @ http://Www.bargainbaglady.com {xx}
Fantastic post with heaps of great tips! Will be bookmarking for future reference!
Lexie
http://www.nailgirl.net
Coming from a new-ish beauty blogger, this is so helpful! Thank you so much! I’m much more encouraged to reach out to brands now. 🙂
Amanda | The Beauty Panda
I’ve contacted a ton of beauty brands and used your ideas, I got all rejections from every single brand or company. They all say they have no room or the $$ yet I see many girls who are working with them or are now having the opportunity.
I love This! Will definitely be trying it!
This is very helpful, thank you!