For the past 2 or 3 years, a new job field has been created. And that job field would be : THE INFLUENCER. No Bachelor degree required… No qualifications or job application forms needed.. All you need is the internet, a couple of gadgets, and a good attitude (that is if you want to last in this highly competitive job).
Let’s just be frank here. A LOT of people want to have this job because it looks fun. Café hoping, events from morning till night, free clothes and food.. Just take pictures and you’re done right? Well… Let me tell you, looks can be deceiving.
Since the job is not a subject matter in university classes, I find that many influencers tend to end up in the “unmannered” & "confused" zone. If you haven’t read my previous blog post, you should! As I’ve discussed the most common complaints made by advertisers. And this article will help you on how to respond to those complaints politely & professionally.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I CHARGE?
Based on the average endorsement fees in Indonesia…
These numbers are very general. Always adjust accordingly to your power of influence. Do your research, ask you previous clients how sales & effect did you bring. From there, you can calculate your rates.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A PROFESSIONAL INFLUENCER?
It means that you're required to always write & photograph top notch content AND post on-time regardless what (except if it's a force majeur situation like if your house got flooded... and NO, "my battery died" is not a force majeur situation, take your powerbank/chargers... Thank you ). Be ready if your client requests to re-shoot or rewrite if your work is not up to their standard *told ya being a professional influencer isn't always fun*
PUNCTUALITY & KEEPING UP TO A DEAL is the key.
If you've made the deal (whether on contract or just by email/text), and got your sponsored products, then post it! Don't suddenly run away & hide. Your client won't be happy.. If you think that you're probably not going to like the product, then why accept in the first place?
If you want the endorsement money, then suck it up!
THE ITEM SENT TO ME DIDN’T LOOK LIKE THE ONE IN THE ORIGINAL PICTURE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
The best way to politely respond is to ask for a return address & say that the product doesn't suit you & that you're sending back the product so that they can make money by selling it to their customers (as long as it's not food or cosmetics here)
Also don’t forget to refund any paid fees if you’re cancelling the deal.
WHAT IF I WANT TO CASUALLY & PROFESIONALLY INFLUENCE?
Good news is that you can ! Bad news ? Well you sort off have to figure this part yourself & work the balance out as it's different for every influencer.
I tend to advice my friends who are doing it for fun to make it a habit to strictly accept endorsements/sponsorships that are relevant to them. But once in awhile, when there is a campaign offer that is relevant & well paid (whether in money/product exchange this is for each individual to decide) , by all means sign the contract ! Just remember to convert yourself to a professional once that signature is written.
CAN I RESELL THE PRODUCTS I DON’T LIKE?
It all comes down to integrity and empathy for this.
I’ve gotten loads of beauty product samples and I must say 80% didn’t work well on my skin. But empathetically, I wouldn’t resell those instead I just gave them to my friends whose skin might benefit from those products.
It’s like.. a friend gave you a present & you said that you love it. But then next week she finds out that you should it someone else.. it’s OUCCCHHH but you can’t really do anything you know?
Your choice to which direction you want your online presence to go to.
WHAT IF THE ADVERTISER IS MAKING ME ANGRY?
Calm down, no need to start email shaming at each other. Reply as calm as you can. Your digital screens are there for you to rephrase as much as you like & not sham your anger directly to the advertiser.
Let’s just be frank here. A LOT of people want to have this job because it looks fun. Café hoping, events from morning till night, free clothes and food.. Just take pictures and you’re done right? Well… Let me tell you, looks can be deceiving.
Since the job is not a subject matter in university classes, I find that many influencers tend to end up in the “unmannered” & "confused" zone. If you haven’t read my previous blog post, you should! As I’ve discussed the most common complaints made by advertisers. And this article will help you on how to respond to those complaints politely & professionally.
image credit to @shaycoghrane
HOW MUCH SHOULD I CHARGE?
Based on the average endorsement fees in Indonesia…
These numbers are very general. Always adjust accordingly to your power of influence. Do your research, ask you previous clients how sales & effect did you bring. From there, you can calculate your rates.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A PROFESSIONAL INFLUENCER?
It means that you're required to always write & photograph top notch content AND post on-time regardless what (except if it's a force majeur situation like if your house got flooded... and NO, "my battery died" is not a force majeur situation, take your powerbank/chargers... Thank you ). Be ready if your client requests to re-shoot or rewrite if your work is not up to their standard *told ya being a professional influencer isn't always fun*
PUNCTUALITY & KEEPING UP TO A DEAL is the key.
If you've made the deal (whether on contract or just by email/text), and got your sponsored products, then post it! Don't suddenly run away & hide. Your client won't be happy.. If you think that you're probably not going to like the product, then why accept in the first place?
If you want the endorsement money, then suck it up!
THE ITEM SENT TO ME DIDN’T LOOK LIKE THE ONE IN THE ORIGINAL PICTURE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
The best way to politely respond is to ask for a return address & say that the product doesn't suit you & that you're sending back the product so that they can make money by selling it to their customers (as long as it's not food or cosmetics here)
Also don’t forget to refund any paid fees if you’re cancelling the deal.
WHAT IF I WANT TO CASUALLY & PROFESIONALLY INFLUENCE?
Good news is that you can ! Bad news ? Well you sort off have to figure this part yourself & work the balance out as it's different for every influencer.
I tend to advice my friends who are doing it for fun to make it a habit to strictly accept endorsements/sponsorships that are relevant to them. But once in awhile, when there is a campaign offer that is relevant & well paid (whether in money/product exchange this is for each individual to decide) , by all means sign the contract ! Just remember to convert yourself to a professional once that signature is written.
CAN I RESELL THE PRODUCTS I DON’T LIKE?
It all comes down to integrity and empathy for this.
I’ve gotten loads of beauty product samples and I must say 80% didn’t work well on my skin. But empathetically, I wouldn’t resell those instead I just gave them to my friends whose skin might benefit from those products.
It’s like.. a friend gave you a present & you said that you love it. But then next week she finds out that you should it someone else.. it’s OUCCCHHH but you can’t really do anything you know?
Your choice to which direction you want your online presence to go to.
WHAT IF THE ADVERTISER IS MAKING ME ANGRY?
Calm down, no need to start email shaming at each other. Reply as calm as you can. Your digital screens are there for you to rephrase as much as you like & not sham your anger directly to the advertiser.
last but not least, one tip I would give : have a sense of confidentiality. Contracts & pricing deals are private between the advertiser and blogger. Don't compare , but instead evaluate your own value as an influencer.
and it's not a race of who posts the best content, but it is a race to push yourself to be a creative professional worker.
Below is only half of the instagram stories I did the other weekend.I didn't think of saving everything up earlier.. so yeahh.... hopefully you guys will still find these posts useful !
check out my previous post on The Deal with Endorsements : From an Influencers View
