Getting Started with Influencer Marketing Platforms

One of the questions I get most often is how I got paid when I first started as a blogger; my answer is influencer marketing platforms. Influencer marketing is a type of social media marketing where brands use influencers, content creators, and bloggers to endorse their brand or product on their social media accounts or blogs. These creators typically have a dedicated audience who view them as experts in their specific niche.

Most people think it is impossible to get paid as an influencer or blogger without a massive following, usually consisting of a minimum of 100K followers on popular platforms such as Instagram or Tik Tok. The idea that you must have a huge following to be paid as an influencer simply isn’t true. I currently have close to 4,000 followers on Instagram, but I have been landing paid brand deals since I had around 1,600 followers. Though there are several ways to land a paid brand partnership, one of the easiest ways to connect with brands is using Influencer Marketing Networks/Influencer Platforms.

What is an Influencer Marketing Network or Influencer Platform?

An Influencer marketing network or platform is a digital space where brands looking for influencers and influencers looking for brand deals can connect. First, brands will list the campaigns they are currently hiring for and the type of creator they would like to have as a partner. Then, bloggers and influencers can apply to those campaigns, and if selected, they will partner with the brand. These partnerships can be anything from paid sponsorships to products and experiences in exchange for social media or blogging content.

Why do influencer platforms make sense for a beginner blogger or influencer?

When I started on my blogging journey, I found pitching brands directly a bit scary. I was not very confident in creating individual pitches. There is also typically a lot of leg work in finding the right person at a brand to contact. Utilizing an influencer marketing platform made the steps to connect with brands a lot easier. These brand collaborations allowed me to make money through sponsored content early in my blogging career. Also, landing these early deals allowed me to be able to create my media kit to demand more money from bigger brand deals in the future.

Another reason to use influencer platforms is that they give you access to a variety of brand partnerships. Collaborations on these networks come in all shapes and sizes, everything from reviewing acne scar treatments to trying out a local restaurant. These platforms allow you the opportunity to pick and choose goods and services your audience would benefit from the most. Sharing quality products that you are passionate about is an excellent way to build trust with your audience.

How much can you make using influencer platforms?

The money you make on deals that come through an influencer platform will typically be less than what you would make if you partnered with a brand directly. Even though this is the case, they are still a great starting point. I have made anywhere between $10 and $700 from an individual brand partnership through an influencer network. I would say that the average amount has been about $150 – $200. I have also been gifted some pretty incredible experiences due to my participation on these platforms.

Where do I sign up for an influencer platform?

Here are a few of my favorites influencer marketing networks below:

1. Collabstr
2. Heartbeat 
3. Social Fabric
4. Massive Sway
5. Cohley
6. Social Native 
7. Social Quotient
8. Izea
9. Activate
10. Aspire IQ

These influencer marketing platforms have been super helpful to me on my creator journey, and I hope they also benefit you. Other resources that have assisted me on this journey have been influencer podcasts from seasoned influencers and bloggers.

Have you landed a brand deal through an influencer platform? What was your experience?

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