💰Tuto for Artists | Unlock brand collabs (with only 500 followers!)
#60 my virtual mentor
Dear little demon,
Welcome to the edition #25 of the Art Missive! We are 3,400😈 in this newsletter. Whether you have been here from the beginning or you have just arrived, thank you so much for reading ❤.
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Read all the previous Art Missives
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In this Art Missive
⌛ Reading time : 5 minutes
🥊Actionnability: immediately actionable
💪 Goals:
Get brand deals
Receive free art material
Discover a new artist income stream
Collabs are for all artists?
If you're an artist with an Instagram art account boasting 500 followers or more, then you're in a prime position to explore exciting brand collaborations.
What’s in it for Artists?
Not only do you have the opportunity to receive high-quality products for free to elevate your artistic journey, but you can also earn an additional income by promoting products you genuinely love to your audience.
Which artist wouldn’t say yes to free art supplies and an extra source of income?
In edition #25 of the Art Missive, we're diving deep into the world of brand collaborations, uncovering lucrative opportunities for artists like you.
You’ll discover insider tips and actionable advice to start getting brand deals. And you’ll find a step-by-step action plan at the end of the Missive.
Let’s get started! 😈
Debunking Brand Collabs Myths
1️⃣ Followers ≠ Brand Collaborations
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a massive following to collaborate with brands.
In the age of social media frenzy, people crave authenticity. Brands are increasingly drawn to artists like you who forge genuine connections with their smaller, yet highly engaged communities.
That's why, to convince a brand to collaborate with you, the number of your followers isn't so crucial. Instead, focus on demonstrating that you have a strong level of engagement and that your subscribers support you!
2️⃣ Brands always make the first move
Many artists believe that collaborations work like this: a brand notices a well-known artist, contacts them, and the artist says yes.
Indeed, it can happen: I receive about fifty brand deal requests per month. The larger your art community on Instagram, the more brand deals you're likely to receive.
In fact, that's how I secured today's collaboration with FLEXISPOT.
However, most of the time, it's the artists who need to reach out to the brands they admire, regardless of their size. For instance, I myself contacted XP PEN for our collaboration last November.
I actually recommend taking the initiative to contact brands because it allows you to ensure that they align with your artistic content and your audience's interests.
By reaching out, you can ensure that you collaborate with brands you genuinely love and that resonate with your artistic vision.
3️⃣ “I’ll start later”
If brand deals interest you, don't postpone it! I know it can be intimidating... You fear rejection. But the sooner you start, the sooner you'll reap the rewards of your efforts!
You don't need to be insta-famous or the best artist. What you need is:
Engaged followers
Professionalism and respect when dealing with brands
Motivation to create content for them!
Imagine receiving free art supplies like pencils, sketchbooks, or even a graphic tablet!
Start now by following the tips below.
3 insiders tips
👉 Tip 1: collaborate with brands you truly love. When choosing brand collaborations, make sure to select those that genuinely resonate with you. Remember, if you present things to your audience that you don't believe in, it can erode their trust in you. For instance, despite receiving a bunch of brand deal requests each month, I've been picky. I've only said yes to two collaborations that perfectly match my passion for drawing and the artist's lifestyle. One was with XP PEN, an awesome graphic tablet brand, and the other was with Flexispot, a trusted provider of studio desks for artists. By aligning with brands that truly represent your values, you maintain authenticity and build a stronger connection with your audience. It also makes collaboration a whole lot more enjoyable!
👉 Tip 2: Don't be afraid to follow up multiple times. In the world of brand deals, it's common to send multiple reminders to a brand that hasn't responded. I recommend following up once a week. Don't hesitate to give brands a gentle nudge if you haven't received a reply. It's perfectly normal and expected in the brand deal landscape. By reaching out again, you demonstrate your persistence and genuine interest in collaborating. Remember, timing can be everything, and your follow-up might just catch their attention at the right moment. So, stay proactive and keep those communication lines open.
👉 Tip 3: Always ask to get paid, no matter your follower count! Remember, brands benefit from the visibility you offer, so don't be shy about requesting payment. When discussing collaboration content, indicate a price range upfront. It might feel intimidating, but if you don't ask, you won't get paid! Some brands will say yes, others may negotiate, and some might decline payment. It's up to you to decide if you want to proceed when a brand hesitates to pay. But hey, at least you asked! Brands are used to working with creators, so it's totally normal to expect compensation, regardless of your follower count.
Go for it!
A typical collaboration unfolds like this:
1. The artist and the brand agree on the products and content to create.
2. The brand sends over the products.
3. The artist tests the products and crafts compelling content to showcase them.
4. The artist and the brand review and approve the content.
5. The artist publishes the content.
6. The artist and the brand wrap up the collaboration with a final discussion.
Now, let's dive into how you can secure a collaboration:
👉 Step 1: Prepare an impressive media kit. This one-page PDF showcases your account, your artistic endeavors, and your audience. It should include:
A compelling description of your account and your artistic focus.
Your follower count.
Monthly reach statistics.
Your engagement rate.
Audience insights, such as demographics and interests.
Here is my Media Kit from January:
As I have a large community, I place emphasis on that. However, if you don't have a large audience, you can instead emphasize the value of your engagement and the authentic conversations you have with your audience.
👉 Step 2: Curate a list of brands you genuinely admire and want to collaborate with. Keep in mind the advice I shared earlier about selecting brands that align with your audience and artistic style. Consider reaching out to both local gems and prominent brands.
👉 Step 3: Contact the brands strategically. Your aim is to connect with the person responsible for social media at the brand. You can approach this in two ways:
Option 1: Direct message the brand on Instagram.
Option 2: Visit the brand's website or LinkedIn to find the email address of the relevant contact.
In both cases, craft a compelling message that piques the brand's interest, demonstrating your genuine admiration for their products and a desire to discuss collaboration opportunities. Here's an example for a DM:
"I've been a fan of your brand for a while now, and I can see my audience eagerly embracing a review of your (mention specific product). It aligns perfectly with their interests. I'd love to explore collaboration possibilities with you. Could you kindly share your email address so that I can send over my media kit?
Take action
Remember, not every brand will respond, but don't be discouraged. Reach out to several brands, follow up consistently, and you'll soon start seeing positive results.
You're now armed with the necessary insights to kickstart your collaborations!
Final tip: Stay persistent and keep refining your approach. Success will come with determination and a genuine passion for what you do.