Did you know about itInstagram is the most popular channelfor influencer marketing campaigns?
The study interviewed 800 marketing agencies, brands and experts. And 79% of respondents said they use Instagram primarily for influencer marketing.
It is clear that Instagram dominates the influencer marketing landscape. If you want to increase sales andget more visibility. Instagram influencer marketing is the way to go.
In this article, we will look at the different ways to find the right influencers to work with and how to connect with them.
How to find the right influencers for your business
There are thousands of influencers on Instagram. But some of them have false followers. If your brand works with such an influencer, it can damage your brand's reputation. Other influencers don't fit your brand or campaign.
So how do you find the best influencers for your brand?
It's clear that you have to be careful. In the above survey, 64% of respondents expressed concern about influencer marketing scams.
Before contacting any influencer, it is worth checking their background. While it is a long process, it is a necessary step.
When looking at an influencer's profile, focus on what values he promotes. Ideally, your brand values should align with the influencer's values. In this way, they are a natural asset in promoting your brand. Their message is more likely to be perceived as sincere and genuine.
For example, if your brand promotes a sustainable lifestyle, you should partner with influencers who care about the cause.
Ohio-based Native Cold Pressed has teamed up with Lauren Blake, a health food influencer. Since their values and target group are similar, it is a symbiotic partnership.

In addition, it is also important to check influencer engagement rates. This can give you an idea of how influential they are.
To calculate your engagement rate, select three or four promotional posts on their profile. Add the total number of likes and comments to each post. Then divide that by the total number of followers they have. You can then compare that to the standard engagement metric in your industry or niche.
If they have a website, check what content they have posted on it. Isn't it too promotional? Do they promote products too often? Here are some of the questions you should be looking for answers to.
Remember that over-promotion doesn't seem genuine. Therefore, quality control is essential before contacting an influencer.
It is also worth checking whether the influencer has been in the media before. If so, see what other people have to say about them and also look for references. This will help you understand if they have a good reputation in the industry or not.
To facilitate this process, you can use influencer marketing tools such asiFluenz(which is the best way to connect with influencers) With this tool you can also create campaigns for free.
The best ways to connect with influencers on Instagram
Once you find the right influencers, the next step is to partner with them. If for some reason you prefer to contact them directly without the help of an influencer platform, you can reach them through various means of communication, such as:
Many influencers have specific guidelines on how to contact them. You will most likely find them on their social media profiles or website.
Sometimes it may be necessary to fill out a form with information about your brand and why you are interested in working with us. In other cases, a direct message on Instagram can work too. In fact, it all depends on the preferences of the influencer.
If they haven't mentioned how you can contact them, you can try one of the following strategies:
1. Send an email
E-mail is the most popular medium of professional communication in various industries. This is a great way to introduce your brand to an influencer and let them know that you are interested in working with them.
Remember that writing emails to influencers is nothing more than email marketing. You can't just copy and paste the same content for all influencers. Each influencer has a different aesthetic and unique approach to storytelling.
Looking at their work, you have to judge what their style is. Therefore, research is a key element of influencer marketing. Based on their approach, you need to design your presentation by adding a personal touch to it.
Write a topic that will intrigue them. Don't be vague. It should be something that will make them want to check your email.
Also, if you want your email to be taken seriously, you need to approach them directly. Use their name in all emails.
Begin the body of the email by telling them what you admire about their work. If any of their posts spoke to you, it would be good if you mention it.
Then introduce them to your brand and talk about the values your brand represents. Highlight what your brand can offer them. Focus on communicating why partnering with your brand can be beneficial to them.
Remember that the first email you send should be about opening a line of communication. It should leave some room for further interaction. It's okay if you have nothing to write aboutspecifics of your campaign. A clear call to action should be included at the end of the application.
Sample email template
Check out this sample email template you can use to contact influencers:
“Dear [influencer name],
I'm [your name], [your tag] from [your company name].
We love the work you do. We really appreciate [Mention something you like about their work]. Your social media profile is great! We think our audience will find your content very interesting.
[Introduce your brand.]
We'd love to work with you on an Instagram campaign at [Topic/Topic]. We've worked on similar campaigns in the past [Share Campaign Link] with [Name Influencers] and they loved working with us.
We are sure that your recipients will benefit from our products. If you are interested in this cooperation, please reply to this email. We can discuss the details further.
I can not wait for your answer.
Thank you in advance!
[Your name]"
2. Direct message
Social media is another channel through which you can reach influencers. Unlike e-mail, this channel is less formalized. So you can be more free in your tone.
When writing a message, introduce yourself and your brand. Tell them you want to work with them on an Instagram campaign. Keep direct messages concise. You can suggest a video call or face-to-face meeting to discuss campaign details.
Remember that influencers are popular on social media. They probably get hundreds of messages from their followers and brands in their inbox every day. It is possible that they will miss your message or forget to send you a reply.
To increase the likelihood of getting a response, you can engage with their social media posts. Like a few posts and write a comment. This way you can get on their radar.
Also remember that most influencers are present onmultiple social media platforms. If you don't get a response on Instagram, you can always try to contact them via Facebook, Twitter or other platforms.
Continue if necessary
You may not always get a quick response after sending a message or email. You shouldn't expect it. Influencers may consider your offer or even miss your message. Your message has probably not been read yet.
Either way, a gentle reminder can work well to make sure they read your email. Following is an important part of reaching influencers.
Wait at least a few days before sending a follow-up message. Do not rush. Schedule your next messages to give them enough time to respond. Even when writing your next message, remember to be discreet and polite.
It should remind you of the first message you sent. You can also mention what you have to offer and include a call to action. It should clearly state the next steps they can take.
Resist the temptation to not overdo it with extra messaging, though. Do not send more than two messages, otherwise you may be considered boring. And that can do more harm than good to your brand's reputation.
Final thoughts
Finding the right influencers for your Instagram campaign is only half the battle. Reaching them is another important step. Influencers are popular people on social networks. Therefore, they constantly receive messages from their fans and other brands.
If you want to stand out, you may have to use multiple platforms to reach them. When composing your message, be professional, polite and concise. If you don't get a response within a few days, it's worth sending a follow-up message.
What strategy do you use to reach influencers on Instagram? Share your experience in the comments section below.
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FAQs
How do I reach out to Instagram influencers for collaboration? ›
How do you reach out to influencers? You can reach out to influencers through direct messaging on a social media platform like Instagram or TikTok, or you can email them if they list an address in the bio of their account.
How do you approach someone for collaboration on Instagram? ›- Select Relevant Brands. First things first; for a successful brand collaboration, you must choose the right brands for you. ...
- Write Your Pitch. ...
- Find The Brand's Best Contact Details. ...
- Follow Up. ...
- Finalize Your Contracts. ...
- Execute the Campaign. ...
- Measure the Results.
- Choose your collaborators wisely. Don't waste time contacting influencers who aren't relevant to your brand. ...
- Do Your Research. ...
- Optimise Your Website. ...
- Send a personalised message. ...
- Let them try your product / service. ...
- Consider Instagram influencers too.
Although you might be following an influencer on Instagram, it's often best to contact them via email, not via DM. Emails are more professional, and they tend to elicit a higher response rate. You can probably find an influencer's email address on their social media bio or website.
How do you get influencers to respond? ›- Benefits of Influencer Marketing.
- Find relevant influencers and build a list.
- Engage with potential influencers before sending a pitch.
- Craft a personalized pitch and optimize it for each platform.
- Use the right conversation starters.
- Step 1: Identify Relevant Influencers to Reach Out to. ...
- Step 2: Preparing the Pitch. ...
- Step 3: Connect with Influencers on Social Media. ...
- Step 4: Send Your Influencer Outreach Email. ...
- Step 5: Didn't Get a Reply? ...
- Step 6: Start Your Collab and Build a Long-Term Relationship.
- Your name.
- Your Brand's name and its mission.
- Why you are interested in partnering with this influencer.
- Any key requirements for the partnership.
- Be Clear From the Start. Your first sentence in a pitch should be attention grabbing, but clear from the start. ...
- Throw them a hook. ...
- Sell Yourself. ...
- Provide an example of your best work in your influencer campaign proposal. ...
- Apply for campaigns within your niche.
- Follow them. ...
- Engage with the influencer's content. ...
- Contact them via email. ...
- Craft a compelling subject line. ...
- Send a clear, enthusiastic message. ...
- Share compensation details. ...
- Provide product samples without expectations. ...
- Give influencers creative freedom.
I'm [name] from [company name]. I sent you an email [duration from when sent] that I think could benefit us if we partner up. I've come across your work and enjoyed it [maybe mention one particular project]. I thought you would be interested in partnering for this project because [give reasons].
How do you ask brands for collaboration on Instagram sample? ›
I'm reaching out because [insert what you saw in their feed, posts, and what they are passionate about that relates to your brand]. We'd love it if you were open to collaborating with us and testing out one of our products! Please let me know if you're interested and I'll send more details. Thanks!
How do I get an influencer to see my DM? ›- Make Sure Your IG Account Looks Legit.
- Arouse His/Her Curiosity.
- Use Your Sense of Humor.
- DM Consistently.
Be prepared to wait a week or two after your initial outreach message. Then, send a short but sweet follow-up message. Because response rates can be so inconsistent, it helps to cast a wide net when it comes to outreach. Doing so is obviously easier said than done if you're contacting influencers yourself, though.
Why influencers don t respond? ›People can be unpredictable, so even if you craft the perfect message, it's possible that it isn't going to resonate with them. Your message may also be vulnerable to random factors; for example, an influencer could have read your message with every intention of responding, but forgot and lost track of time.
Do influencers check their DMs? ›And while some influencers are bad at checking their DMs or emails, they're very good about responding to comments on their posts. After commenting something relevant to the post, let them know that you messaged them about collaborating.
What should I ask an influencer before collaboration? ›- How do you engage with your followers? ...
- Which social media platforms are you active on? ...
- Have you ever created content for a niche similar to ours? ...
- What content type do you prefer? ...
- Can they give reports of their past campaigns? ...
- What is your target audience?
Thank you so much for reaching out. I'd love to discuss a collaboration and agree we are a good fit. I have some ideas but I'd like to hear from you what your brand needs right now as far as content goes. I look forward to working together!
How do you DM a celebrity on Instagram and get a response? ›Approach them to follow you back:– If a celebrity follows you back, then they will receive a direct message from your side. Otherwise, whatever you may send them, it will definitely go into the 'Message Requests' section that they rarely open.
How do you write a professional message on Instagram? ›- Go to your profile and tap in the upper right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Business.
- Tap Welcome Message.
- Tap to toggle on Show welcome message.
- Type in your desired message.
- Tap Save.
- Analysis. An important part of a client relationship is managing their expectations. ...
- Scope of Work. This section closely matches your contract's Scope of Work section. ...
- Project Milestones & Deadlines. ...
- Proof of Work. ...
- Terms of Agreement. ...
- Next Steps for the Client.
What should I write to an influencer? ›
- Understand your campaign goal.
- Find an influencer that meets your goal.
- Use catchy subject lines on your Email.
- Personalize the message.
- Be straightforward.
- Speak their language.
- Offer the influencer a value.
- Give them a creative freedom.
- Understand the purpose of the collaboration. ...
- Define the goals of the work. ...
- Define roles for the team. ...
- Make it clear collaboration is expected. ...
- Identify the strengths of the team. ...
- Encourage a creative environment. ...
- Build a desire for cohesion. ...
- Relationships are key.
Some examples from our editors:
I was just informed that we will be working together on this project; I'm looking forward to collaborating with you. Ever since I was hired, I have always wanted to work with you, so I am looking forward to collaborating with you.
You'll want to introduce yourself, tell them why you'd like to collaborate with them specifically, explain why their work is relevant and essential for what you're working on right now. Finally, ask for their thoughts on collaborating with you in some capacity (if applicable).
How do you write an email to a brand for collaboration sample? ›Hello [Brand Name], My name is [Your Name] and I am a content creator/marketer who specializes in social media marketing. I recently came across your brand and was really impressed by the work that you do. I think that our skill sets would be a great match for working together on a project.
How do you ask someone for collaboration? ›I've come across your work and enjoyed it [maybe mention one particular project]. I thought you would be interested in partnering for this project because [give reasons]. I'd love to hear your take if interested and figure out how to move forward together.
How do you ask a content creator for collaboration? ›You send them an email with a pitch. The key here is to show how working together will be beneficial to both of you. Also, clearly outline the goals of the collab.
Where do I find collaboration requests on Instagram? ›If another user creates a post and requests you to collaborate, you will have to accept the invite. Step 1: Open your Instagram account. Step 2: Click on the invite notification from your Instagram activity page. Step 3: Tap the review button and accept the request.