If you are reading this, odds are you are getting a lot of requests for non-paid, gifted campaigns and you are wondering how to respond. Maybe they are even asking for you to post regularly about the product in exchange for a PR package. So how do you respond to these messages? At what point do you starting asking to get paid instead?
Reasons to Say Yes to Non-Paid Campaigns
If you are just starting out as an influencer or if you truly love the brand that reached out, by all means say “yes”! Responding positively to gifted, non-paid requests isn’t always a bad thing if you truly resonate with the brand and want to work with them. Just like in one of my previous blogs, When to Stop Accepting Gifted or Non-Paid Campaigns, I do have a list of companies that if they contacted me and were only offering a gifted opportunity, I would still take it. Some brands hold value for me even just in gifted product!
Reasons to Say No to Gifted Campaigns
If your inbox is regularly full with paid requests, then taking on a gifted campaign might not be the best for you. Even if you make commission off the sales, it still might not be worth your while. Simply put, you are never guaranteed a paycheck.
The downside with commission is that you have to make so much content to even get close to what my normal posting rate would have been for a single post. Meanwhile the brand received consistent and permanent media coverage. The only way to get paid was if someone used your exact affiliate link to make a purchase. And online purchases don’t always happen right away. It’s possible that they purchased in-store or on another browser. When that happens, you can’t receive the credit or commission. You would never know if they didn’t use that exact tracking link.
Remember, your social media’s worth is not measured solely based on the total number of sales that you make. It is also measured by:
- the amount of eyes on your post
- the number of interactions it gets
- and also your personal reputation for recommending great products that your followers are trusting you with.
Brands know this. That’s why it is cheaper for them to offer commissionable ambassadorships than it is to pay the influencer’s posting rate.
Turn the Tables to Get Paid
You can also turn these gifted or non-paid email requests into a paid campaign. Read my next blog “How to Turn a Commission Campaign into a Paid Campaign” to learn more! But don’t even stop it there, you can even learn how to reach out to brands. Seriously – don’t wait for them to come to you.
Final Thoughts
Every email you get that is offering you a product for free is a chance to take control. If you get these requests regularly, it may be time to respond by opening the door to a paid campaign option. Or if you absolutely love the brand, by all means, work with them for free! The great thing about making content is that there is never one right answer. Do what feels right. Learning how to respond to gifted campaign requests could open the door to more opportunities to get paid.
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