Don't Envy Others' Deals; Pitch That Brand Next

One gripe I hear often is, "How come that person landed a sponsorship with my dream brand? I've never seen them talk about it, and I've used it for years."

Instead of spiraling, there's a simple way to turn this into a sponsorship opportunity for you.

If a brand decides to partner up with another person in your industry, two things are true:

1. Brands are now investing money into your niche/content format

2. Brands rarely partner with just a single person

The first thing a brand usually does after it completes a successful sponsorship with one person is think, "Who else can we partner with?"

Spoiler alert: that's you!

It's now your chance to reach out to that brand and say:

[Hey name],

I saw that fantastic partnership you're doing with [other person]. Are you looking to amplify this campaign further?

My audience is primed for your product. That amazing feature [other person] talked about is the exact thing my audience has said they're looking for.

I also noticed you're using paid media to boost your content for this campaign. I can create additional assets you can use across your social platforms.

Are you free on Thursday at 10 am to chat about this?

Thanks,

[Your name]

Remember, this is not a zero-sum game.

By the way, you don't have to wait for someone else to get sponsored to get the attention of your dream brand.

All it takes is simply getting on their radar so they know you exist.

Do you think brands have time to keep tabs on every single potentially influential customer?

Especially if you've never publicly stated your love for the brand?

The best way to command their attention is to start shouting them from the rooftops!

Tag them on social media. Include a shout-out in your next newsletter, then email them the blurb.

The more you become a "known quantity," the quicker you'll be remembered when the brand recruits for its next campaign.

"But Justin, why would they pay me if I talk about them for free?"

When brands have specific marketing objectives, there are almost always talking points they need you to hit or sound bites they need you to say.

Things you'd never do or say on your own in a simple shout-out.

Don't overthink this.

The closer you get to the brand, the closer you'll be to landing a sponsorship.