The Middle Men Of Collaborations :: Influencer Sites

The Middle Men Of Collaborations :: Influencer Sites

• 7.16.2019

I know that there is a hush hush vibe around social media about collaborations and contacts, but I want to break that stigma and share some of my favorite influencer sites!

When I first started collaborating, I wasn't one to reach out to brands because I felt like I was so inexperienced. What brand would want to work with me when I had a very small following? That thought alone kept me from reaching my full potential -- until I got an email inviting me to join an influencer site.

It sounded fairly interesting, so I thought alright, let's give it a shot. I got online, did some research, signed up for a few sites and then the waiting game began! I got my first collaboration email / invitation which in essence isn't a done deal, but rather an invitation to apply to collaborate with a certain brand. After you apply, the brand reviews your application to see if you're a good fit for them and if you are, you get an acceptance email with further directions.

I was so excited to get to work with brands that probably wouldn't have even looked at me otherwise with my small follower count had I emailed them. I got free stuff and I got to build up my portfolio -- a win / win for a small blogger who is just starting out. So here's a list of some of my favorite influencer sites to get you started if you're wanting to jump into the influencer realm.

No. 1 :: ApexDrop 

I've done over 10 collaborations through ApexDrop and it's been so fun! They've put me in touch with some of my favorite brands some of which include: Bravado Designs, MOD straps, Squeezamals and so many more! 

What I really love about ApexDrop is that you don't have to accept every collaboration that they send your way. As you grow as an influencer, there will be times when you're drowning in work, so it's nice to have the option to not respond to an invitation without the worry that it'll affect future collaboration invitations!

Another aspect that I love about ApexDrop is how efficient and fast their customer service team is! I've had a few things sent to me that I wasn't crazy about or had something I didn't like, and when I emailed them about the problem, they got back to me within 2 business days. We came up with a solution that both the brands and I agreed upon fairly quickly.

It's a great stepping stone for those who want to start collaborating with brands and don't know where to begin. Thanks to ApexDrop, I dipped my toes in the water and gained the confidence to reach out to brands myself.

++++++++++++ To get started with ApexDrop, click here. +++++++++++++

No. 2 :: Influenster

Influenster was one of the first sites I signed up for because it didn't require much effort. You sign up for this platform and then you review products you currently have lying around your own home. The more you review, the more badges you earn and then the more likely it is that you'll get free products in the form of a VoxBox. 

A VoxBox is a little box filled with goodies that Influenster and brands (both well known and ones that are newer on the market) curate to send out to their reviewers. Most of the products in the box are fairly new or are about to hit the market. I've received items from Marc Jacobs, COOLA, Lancome, and Eco Tools and Origins in VoxBoxes and was even invited to an event by Origins through Influenster!

But what I really love about Influenster is that it has a corner for every niche -- beauty, home, foodies, fitness, etc. They really let you speak your truth about any product you can think of. 

If I'm honest, I still use Influenster and rate items all the time because who doesn't like receiving sweet little packages by brands that we all know and love?!

++++++++++ To get started with Influenster, click here. +++++++++++

No. 3 :: Social Native 

Social Native is perfect for the Influencer who wants to earn a little money on the side. You sign up for the site and then wait to be invited to apply to certain campaigns that fit your niche. 

The campaign invites come through email, so you have to be vigilant about checking and making sure that you accept right away because the slots fill up fast! Once invited, you view the guidelines and time frames the brands want you to abide by and if everything sounds doable, then you apply. 

If accepted, make sure you follow all the rules and guidelines because brands often have you post a new photo if they think you've violated the guidelines in some way. I know a few influencers (myself included) who have been told to post new content because something looked off to them. 

However, Social Native is a great place to start getting paid for collaborations and was one of the first sites to pay me straight after a completed campaign. 

++++++++++ To get started with Social Native, click here. ++++++++++

No. 4 :: Socialix 

Socialix is another place where you can collaborate and get compensation. However, most of the campaigns on this site are product trade for share type of collaborations. It's another great place to find products that fit your niche because you can search the type of products you want to promote and then read the current campaigns they have running.

If you see something you like, you submit a proposal and then wait on the brand to respond. I love the way they have the site set up because they break down the collaborations, you can see your deadlines when you login and have product tracking on the site while you wait for your product in the mail. 

Another thing I love is that your personal profile tracks your engagement rate and blog stats if you give them permission to access those channels when you first set up your profile. I found this extremely useful when I was talking to other brands and didn't have google analytics set up. You can also see the brand's review of working together and it's all in one place. It's pretty much an organized blogger's dream set up. 

+++++++++++++ To get started with Socialix, click here +++++++++++++

No. 5 :: The MAVRCK Influencer Index

This is one of the places every influencer should sign up for because it's just to get you on the radar. It's an index that allows you to pick 4 niches that your blog or Instagram revolves around. Once signed up, you'll occasionally get an email you asking you to apply for a campaign. If you decide to apply, the brand gets a notification and will accept or decline your application. I've gotten quite a few paid campaigns this way and I'm pretty sure some brands have taken my information from MAVRCK and contacted me on their own for bigger campaigns. You fill out that form and then brands come to you. 

+++++++++++++ To get on the Mavrck Index, click here +++++++++++++

So There You Have It...

I've just shared with you my favorite influencer sites! I am hoping you find this information useful.
Here are a few more sites that I've signed up for that have trickled in a few collaborations for me or that haven't really worked out for me, but might work for you.

+ Heartbeat
+ Influence.co
+ Ambassadher
+ Webfluential
+ IZEA
+ Shopping Links
+ Activate
+ Popular Pays
+ Sway
+ The Blogger Programme
+ Blogger Meets Brand
+ Brand Snob (app for your phone)
+ #PAID
+ Octoly
+ Buzzoole
+ Obviously
+ Markerly
+ GrapeVine
+ Speakr
+ Linqia
+ Social Fabric

SO YAH -- good luck my loves. Get that side hustle going! & for the record, this post isn't sponsored you guys, I genuinely want to help out my blog readers and social media followers because I truly appreciate you following and engaging with my content.

Keep your eyes on the blog because posts on media kits, how to make a rate sheet and what to say when emailing brands are coming soon!