When it comes to working with brands to feature products, sponsored content, hosting reviews and giveaways, you may be wondering, “How in the world can you afford to buy all that stuff?” Well the answer is, I don’t. Often times reviews and giveaways are sponsored by a company, where it is a trade for a blog promoting that company and products to the readers. So your next question may be, “how do you get companies to sponsor content, reviews and giveaways?” There are many different ways which I talk about in how to find review opportunities, but what I want to talk to you about today is when a blog can contact a company to sponsor a project, review or giveaway. This is called writing a Pitch or Ask letter
Writing a Pitch /Ask Letter:
Writing a Pitch /Ask Letter:
Writing an ask letter is almost an art form. You can create a generic pitch or ask letter, like a template. And then change a few key words and personalize it each time for each individual company. But you don’t want to be set on a solid “this is my ask letter and I will never change it”.
As you grow in your blogging skills, your ask letter can change, be re-written and perfected. You will learn what works well and what doesn’t. Here are a few hints to help make writing an ask letter a little easier.
- A Greeting. Make a simple greeting. Don’t just start off with “hey I want something.” but be kind and professional and greet the brand you are writing.
- Keep it short. Most companies get hundreds of pitch letters a day, and only browse the first part of the letter to see if it interests them. You want yours short, to the point and easy for them to read.
- Who are you? State who you are, your blog’s name, and include your blog address and very briefly explain your blog. They need to know who you are. No one wants to go into business with someone they don’t know. Yes that means you need to use your name, your REAL name.
- How you can benefit the brand. When creating a relationship with a brand, it needs to be beneficial to both parties. You need to show the brand what you have to offer. Are you offering to create an article? What type of article? How do you promote this article? Are you looking to create a video? Are social shares on social media sites included? How do you plan to benefit the brand?
- Get right to the point. Say what type of relationship you would like with the company, any specific product you want to review, your media rates, and if you are looking for a possible giveaway or discount to be included, etc.
- Include Media Kit. Brands want to see what type of experience you have and some examples of what you have done in the past. Including a media allows brands to view your past relationships with other brands. It shows your current traffic statistics and social media reach. It should also include sample content so the brand can see your writing style and photography skill. And it should also include your rates for the different types of content/promotional work you offer brands so they can pick which is best for them and fits within their budget. The Media kit can be a simple PDF document that you attach, or a link to a Google Document for easy viewing.
- Share stats. If you don’t have a media kit created yet, then you will want to include your most popular blog statistics such as how many page views your blog has each month, the unique visitors each month, how many subscribers you have. You also want to include your Facebook, Twitter and other social media statistics and numbers. But again, keep it short. And you’ll only need to do this if you don’t have a media kit (which I highly suggest creating). Usually include the most impressive stats you have, but always be 100% honest in your numbers. It’s fairly easy for companies to do a little research and see if you are telling the truth or not.
- Previous partnerships, Again this is only if you don’t have a media kit (as this would be included in your media kit). You will want to list a few companies you have worked with previously. Usually the most impressive names grabs attention, but sometimes listing others that fit the same category as that company help too. For example, if you are pitching to a toy company and you’ve worked with another toy company that will look impressive. Saying you worked with a kitchen gadget company even if it’s a bigger named company, although it still looks impressive, it may not resonate as well with the toy company you are currently writing to.
- Sign off with a thank you message. Include your name and then again list your blog website and the direct links to your social sites so the company can do research on you easily to see if they want to work with you. It is highly suggested that you include a profile image in your signature so the brand has a face to put with your name. No one likes talking to someone they can’t visualize. This is easily done in an email signature feature.
To help you get started, I’ve included a sample template. This is for example only. Don’t copy and paste, as to be most successful you need to create your own in your own voice and writing skill. Your ask letter should be personalized to your personality and your site’s needs.
Ask Letter Sample Template Example 1 w/ Media kit:
Hello (Company’s name or Direct PR agents name)
My name is (Your name) and I am the owner of (your blog’s name and URL).(briefly describe your blog). I have (write a personal experience with the brand and why you want to work with them). I am writing to see if you would like to work with me on (project you are proposing) on my site.
I promote all stories via my social media channels which has a collective reach of (your reach). Most of my readers are (include a demographic, if they are moms or dads, etc). I specifically would feature your brand (include how you would promote their brand).
I know my readers would love to hear about your (items/services the brand offers). I have attached my media kit for you convenience which includes samples of my work and rates.
I look forward to hearing from you and working with you!
*Your Name
Blog Name
URL of blog
URL of Twitter
ETC.
Ask Letter Sample Template Example 2 No Media kit:
Hello (Company’s name or Direct PR agents name)
My name is (Your name) and I am the owner of (your blog’s name and URL).(briefly describe your blog). I have (write a personal experience with the brand and why you want to work with them). I am writing to see if you would like to work with me on (project you are proposing) on my site.
I promote all stories via my social media channels which has a collective reach of (your reach). Most of my readers are (include a demographic, if they are moms or dads, etc). I specifically would feature your brand (include how you would promote their brand).
My Site has XXX monthly unique page views. I currently have XXX Facebook Followers, XXX twitter Followers and XXX blog subscribers. I am ranked XXX in Alexa ratings for my site with a Klout score of XXX. Some companies I have worked with include XXXX.
I know my readers would love to hear about your (describe the company’s niche) products. I invite you to visit my website and let me know if you are interested in forming a working relationship. Thank you! I look forward to hearing from you.
*Your Name
Blog Name
URL of blog
URL of Twitter
ETC.
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Amber
She is dedicated to helping you leave a legacy of moments and celebrated milestones for your family to treasure generation after generation.
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Amanda Throckmorton
Sounds good all have to reread it a bit slower. It sounds like a good idea. I would love to do more reviews unfortunately I do get the hits but companys are not intrested. I suppose because It’s been 8 months in blogging for me.
Deanna - mommyGAGA
This is good advice.
jennifer zuna
I use a very similar letter to that and i get good results =]
Erinn S
Great post! Thank you for sharing.
Erinn from
Jillian
This is a great resource for someone just starting out! You definitely ticked all the boxes on the important info.
Nikki
Thank you! I pinned it to my “Blogging Stuff” board to refer back to. My pitch letter could use some tweaking!
shelly
Thanks for the great tips! I could use some help pitching!
Tonya
Great info! I bookmarked this and Still Blonde After All These Years’ page.
melissa
Same pitch letter that I use. It is a good one:)
Jennifer
Sounds great! I do almost all of that, but I haven’t listed companies that I have worked with… that’s a great idea. Definitely PROOF READ! So important!!
LaTonya (Detroit Mom)
That was very self-less of you for sharing. Thank you. (Detroit Mom)
Ashley B.
Love it! Great advice, really. I can’t tell you the amount of these letters I have written since I started blogging.
Jenna
Thank you so much for posting this. I feel like this is by far the most informative and helpful post for new bloggers looking to expand that I’ve ever come across.
Alaina Bullock
Awesome post! You hit on some very important points when it comes to pitch letters! I can learn a lot from this! Thank you!
Angela
Great post! This is something a lot of us struggle with.
Roni
Thanks for the helpful tips! I need to update my pitch letter …
Green Grandma
Excellent advice. I’ve bookmarked it to refer to again and again. Thanks!
Shannon @ GrowingSlower
This is something I’m just starting to think about. How do you find the contact info of it to send it?
Amber Edwards
If you are contacting a company, normally you are looking on their main website. often times they have “contact us” or “media” menu options on their blog somewhere. Some I’ve seen up top, others it’s in the footer, and other’s it is in the “about us” section. Just look all over their website to find some kind of contact us info. The best is definitely a Media contact email, but if you can’t find one, then general Customer service is the next option.
Kelley Johnsen
Great post, just what I needed to read. Thanks!
Trisha G.
This is very informative and lots of great tips! This is an excellent post for bloggers. Thanks for sharing Amber!
Sharon
Great suggestions! I love the ‘proof read’ reminder! nothing worse than hitting send just to realize you misspelled a word!!
Krystle
Great tips! I’m going to try adding some of the companies I’ve worked with to my pitch letter!
Caryn B
Fantastuc post! Bookmarking! I always struggle with writing pitch letters
Caryn B
*fantastic*
natalie
proofing has to be the hardest this ever!!! it really needs to be done by fresh eyes! thanks for the great tips
sharon martin
Great post, this will help so many bloggers thanku and shared x
Heather
Thanks for the advice!! 🙂 I keep a media kit updated once a month and I’ve written a few pitch letters, but mostly stuff comes to me. However I’d like to write to companies I really want to work with. Thanks!
Melissa Say What?
Sigh. I really wish bloggers would stop sharing this info. There are TOO MANY of us already and even fewer who pitch, receive and write well-written reviews.
On another note, you’ve got great ideas, but at the end of the day, it all boils down to writing a personalized letter to a company whose products you want to try and share with your readers, as well as PARTNER with said company. It’s all about TRUE INTEREST. I just don’t feel like sharing your techniques or using a template is the way to go.
Introduction and inclusion of LINKS to stats or specific related content links is the area that might be okay for templates, but simply sharing your TRUE interest with a company is what really takes the cake.
You are correct about brevity. An effective pitch will LURE in the reader as companies receive far too many requests to count from bloggers as well as consumers, on a daily basis.
Amber Edwards
Yes, there are many bloggers out there that don’t do well written reviews. But honestly if it wasn’t for knowledgeable bloggers who help out the ones just getting started, then the poor bloggers don’t have any resources on how to do it RIGHT and they just keep writing poorly. I hope that I can help someone who wants to do the review job, know how to get started but also know how to do it in a quality manner, instead of just making poor articles. That’s why I created my blogging 101 series, as a way to try to help others learn how to do things in a quality manner. Just like I was blessed with amazing bloggers who helped me get started and learn there is a RIGHT way and WRONG way to do things. I hope I can pass that knowledge on too.
SuperMommy
Thank you Amber this post. Your sample letter is very helpful. Although I am a fairly decent writer, it is always nice to see an example of what other people are doing. Many other bloggers are not willing to share. Keep up the good work.
April Emery
This was very helpful! Thank you so much for writing this post. It helps give a good framework.
stefanie
I really like this post! Thanks for writing it! I have a couple pitch letters for certain products that I am proud of, but for other products I am struggling. I will take some of your tips into considerations for my future pitches!
Sadie
You have some great tips here! 🙂 One thing I would steer clear of, though, is mentioning that you will work for a discount. Unless it’s a discount that gets you a trip to Disneyland for $100, or Australia for $500, it’s most likely not worth it.
Amber Edwards
Oh Sadie, that is definitely something to make clear! Working for a discount is SO not worth it! I think I need to tweak my letter a little. I meant willing to offer a discount coupon to my readers, AFTER they provide full product for review. I think I need to fix my letter so it is more apparent that I don’t work for discount, but I am willing to offer discounts to my readers. 🙂
Rose @ RoseBakes.com
But do you do reviews for actual pay, or only for products? Is there ever a way to get paid to do a product review without seeming “bought”? Often I’m asked to do product reviews – even for products I love – but the overall value is generally pretty low (cake products aren’t usually all that expensive). I’d love some input on this. As my blog has grown, I get more and more of these and don’t really know how to handle it.
Evden eve nakliyat
Congratulations on the beautiful work
Autumn
Found this post via a Swagbucks search, and I wanted to thank you for helping me craft my pitch letters! I’ve recently turned my years of couponing/discounting and a love for dolls into a blog, and having a pitch letter handy while promoting is a huge plus for me!
MzBaker
Great post! I have been blogging on my main blog for around 10 months now. I have done several product reviews. I am not the most perfect writer, but I try. Thanks for posting this I found it useful! I have my own pitch and I just change it up depending on what I’m going for. So far only five have shot me down or never replied to my pitch. I’m not complaining and so far no one else has either. So that makes me feel good.
Salma
This was a great read. I haven’t pitched any companies yet but this really helps! I’m going to share it on some FB blogging groups as well.
Linda @First brithday Party
This is Surely came handy as I was thinking on what to write.
Saved me tons of time.
Pitching these company trough Twitter and Facebook is so much easier. Specially when you have a letter like this.
Thanks
pebbleshoo
Thank you for this!
Katie
Would you have a suggestion about an eye-catching subject line? I know when I slim my emails, I always jump around based on the subject line.
Amber Edwards
Ahh, subject lines. Those are always tricky. If you are pitching for a specific event; you will want to have something about the event in the subject line usually.
But for basic pitches, I asked quite a few of my blogging friends and many of them had the same response. Usually something like:
1. brand/product and inquiry. Example: KitchenAid Inquiry
or
2. (brand name) feature
Some even use “Media Inquiry” or “Media Request” or sometimes you can make it more personal/less generic like, the name of their product/brand/company and work in some 50-cent words like “Opportunity” or “Partnership” –(this idea from my friend Kristin from Keenly Kristin)
cool kids bklyn boutique
Thanks you so much for the helpful tips, I need to make my pitch letter.
Becca
Thanks for this information. I appreciate your tips and plan to be working on my letter today. 🙂
Sierra
I literally just started a blog, so this is helpful. I think I need to work on getting traffic and followers though.
menu
I’m just wondering at what point I can ask for this? what’s the minimum “requirements” a company will want me to have before sending me a product to review?
Amber Edwards
It all really depends on the company. Some will work with very small bloggers. others want larger bloggers. usually smaller companies are willing to work with smaller bloggers. Huge well known companies like Sprint; or Step2, or such want more tailored, polished, experienced bloggers with larger readership.
Alex Ribble
Hi Amber, great article! We are actually looking for blogger/influencers such as yourself to review our client’s amazing aromatherapy / vitamin C shower head. They have been featured on NBC/ABC as well as hundreds of of product review websites such as newegg.com.
Check out the Aroma Sense aromatherapy shower head at aromasenseusa.com and email me if interested. We’ll get the sample out to you right away.
Thanks!
Alex
avcılar günlük ev temizliği
Thanks for the helpful tips! I need to update my pitch letter
Ronda
These tips never go out of style. Great advice. It’s been years since you posted this, but it is still valuable information.
Sara
Hey Amber,
Thank you for sharing this post. It’s really helpful in drafting my first letter. I have a question here. What could be the good subject lines if I’m asking a brand for sponsored posts or any kind of promotion.
Amber
Usually I use a subject like such as PR Inquiry or Media Inquiry or Partnership with and then I list the brand I’m looking to connect with. Straight forward so they can tell exactly what type of email I’m sending.
Sara
Thanks a lot Amber. Your post is helpful 🙂
Forsal
Thanks for the information. I have got a very beautiful website for natural beauty products and I’ll love to outreach using your sample pitch. Thanks a ton.
Carla
Amazing post! I was looking for some examples for start expanding my partnerships, and your post give me more than I expected. Best Regards!
Denise
This a very good guide for me as a new blogger, I am gathering the courage to start doing review of the products that I use and love and this gave me the information I needed to get going.
Kanyi
Awesome! This is very helpful. I’m trying to send a pitch and i love your sample pitch.
Krish
Hi,
It is indeed a great article and really appreciate the hard work that you have put to produce such a great content. And the samples were absolutely excellent.
In fact, I have just used the first one.
Thanks