Instagram Influencer Message Templates: Do's and Don'ts

Influencer outreach can be overwhelming, it’s when your brand makes its first impression. What do you say to appeal to them without seeming overbearing? If you’re wanting to ensure a phenomenal first impression while successfully capturing the attention of an influencer you’ve come to the right place.

You may have used emails before and if you’re wanting to communicate in more detail, that’s a good option. However, Instagram is a platform that allows you to be more creative and casual while reaching out via direct message (DM). There is no need to make it lengthy, get straight to the point and add your own flair to it. Here are the do’s and don’ts to Instagram influencer message templates. 

Do’s:

With a great combination of being short and sweet while expressing your brand’s personality, you’re bound to attract the right influencers. Here are some do’s for outreach:

• Engage or follow with a few of their posts before reaching out 
• Introduce yourself and your company 
• Personalize your messages
• Keep it short and to the point
• Clarify the compensation involved
• Maintain authenticity
• Mention specific posts from that influencer that align with why you are reaching out
• Be clear about what you are offering (ambassador invite, giveaway collaboration or product samples)
• Clarify whether there is compensation involved
• Be honest about your brand’s requirements

Pitch Template

Hey [insert influencer name],

My name is [insert name here] and our team [insert brand name here] and I loved your post about [insert description of the post that relates to your brand here but also shows that you pay attention to their interests]. At [insert company name here] we [insert what you do and what your purpose for contacting is]. We’d love to send some of our products your way so you can try them out and share with your audience [insert platform name]. In exchange, [insert compensation here].

Let me know if you’d be interested, thanks!

[insert name here]

Pitch Template in Use

Hey Becca,

My name is Kristen and our team Workout Works and I loved your post about your favorite workout essentials while quarantining at home! At Workout Works, we make athletic apparel where comfort meets function - making them perfect for an at-home routine. We’d love to send some of our products your way so you can try them out and share with your audience on Instagram! In exchange, we will send you another batch of the products you love most. 

Let me know if you’d be interested, thanks!

-Kristen

Don’ts:

Your brand should stay true to its mission and avoid reaching out to ambassadors who don’t match your brand’s demo. Otherwise, you risk alienating your followers and negatively impacting your reputation. If you are wanting to build genuine connections with influencers avoid these definite don’ts:

• Send a generic/vague message
• Make it lengthy
• Reach out if they wouldn’t be interested in what you have to offer
• Set an unrealistic deadline to reply 
• Spam them with follow-ups if they don’t reply right away
• Use language or emojis that don’t align with your brand
• Make the process of an influencer returning your message difficult

Don’t send this pitch:

Heyy Girl!

Our team and I have commented on a few posts now and messaged you a couple of times but haven’t received a response. At Workout Works we are the best compared to other brands you may have seen and all our products come at an affordable price. We should totally partner up for a collab! If you decide to partner with us, we will then give you a discount code to share with your followers. By doing so, they will receive 35% off of any purchases made. We require that any time you are sent products from us, you post two in-feed pictures and one Instagram story post. We’d love to send some of our products your way so you can try them out and share with your audience!

Email me at kristen@workoutworks.com by Friday at 12 PM if you’d be interested, thanks!

-Kristen

If your brand is still navigating influencer outreach and needs help getting connected, contact Statusphere. We help match you with quality influencers who align with your brand’s vision and will even handle all the influencer communications for your next marketing campaign!