How to tell if a brand offer is legitimate?

You have been plugging away at your pet’s Instagram account and gaining a solid following when you start to get comments and DMs from brands. How do you know if the brand offers are legitimate?

First, Look at their Instagram account

• Is this a brand you know and use?
• Do they have a website?
• If you’re not already a customer, would you feel comfortable being associated with this brand and promoting them to your audience?
• Where do they ship products from and/or how does it take to reach where you live? This is important because many companies on Instagram dropship, which can take 7-21 days to arrive.
• Does this brand expect you to convert sales for them?

I think it is a Bot

If a brand leaves a comment on your post asking you to DM them:

• Chances are it’s a bot leaving this same comment on hundreds of accounts
• These brands often want you to buy something at discount to post about it so they can profit
• If you have to pay to work with a brand, does that offer seem legitimate?

If a brand DMs you an offer

• Ask them to EMAIL you their business proposal and budget for working with influencers — if a brand is making a legitimate offer they should have no problem emailing. If not, this might be a sign they will be difficult to work with

Move the conversation to email

• Via email find out — what they want from you (post, Story, link in bio, Swipe up, video, etc), what they will give you in exchange (money, product, both, discount, etc), and the deadline to post
• Take it a step further and ask to do a call with the brand so you can hear what they are interested in as well as showcase your value
• Create a contract — don’t let this scare you! It is a document that outlines the above mentioned that both parties agree to
• You will appreciate having the email conversation as well as the contract in case something doesn’t go according to plan

Know Your Worth

In conclusion, I hope these steps help you figure out if a brand offer is legitimate. If you want to work for brands for free, that is certainly your business.

Ready to get paid by brands, click here for more information on how to position yourself to work with brands and get paid.

Need a fast guide to meeting brands that pay? Consider working with an influencer marketing agency or network. The List is a book of over 75+ agencies who work with influencers and creators of all sizes.