How to ask an influencer to promote your product: 4 strategies

Find Influencers Smartly

However, it's not just about finding random creators with a ton of views and followers. The thing is to find the right influencers. I always say the right influencer is like a friend who shares the same values, style, and community. Let’s go over the main criteria to make the best match.

Brand Alignment

First off, it’s not just about the niche, but the values. If an influencer promotes cosmetic products without any consideration, and your brand focuses on eco-friendly, vegan, cruelty-free skincare, it’s unlikely they’ll be a good fit for your audience. 

Carefully consider the values the influencer promotes, their visuals, their past collaborations, and whether these align with your brand’s message.

Audience Match

Once you’re sure the influencer’s values align with your brand’s, you’re halfway there. But that’s just the beginning. The next step is to make sure their audience actually matches yours. You probably already have a clear picture of your audience based on these criteria:

• Age and gender split

• Location (especially if you have an offline business)

• Interests and brand alignment

• The platform they use the most

For example, if your target customers are 20-40 year old women that are focused on eco and cruelty-free skincare, primarily living in North America (US and Canada). They are focused on healthy nutrition, skincare, and lifestyle. The platforms they use the most are TikTok and Instagram. The influencer's audience should totally reflect these characteristics.

Reputation

It's a good idea to check the influencer’s past collaborations, check out their social media posts, including paid partnerships. 

Besides, make sure they haven’t been involved in any scandals. A quick Google search of their name should give you the info you need.

Sounds like a lot of manual work? That’s true…

Leverage influencer Discovery Tools

What I mentioned earlier can be tough to do manually — especially when you're trying to confirm things like audience demographics for influencers with hundreds of thousands of followers. And to make it trickier, some influencers boost their numbers with fake followers or bots, which can really throw things off.

With influencer marketing tools, you easily close all the mentioned issues above, protecting your budget.

For example, IQFluence influencer discovery tool helps find influencers by your own parameters. 

1️⃣ Decide where you want to find creators — Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc. Choose the one that best matches your audience and campaign goals.

2️⃣ Use the platform’s search or influencer tool filters to narrow down your options.

3️⃣ Focus on audience location. If your business operates in Australia, for example, set the audience location to 60%+ or even higher in Australia to make sure you’re reaching the right people.

Then, refine your search with these filters:

• Engagement rate. Look for influencers with 7% or higher engagement.

• Keywords. Add terms that reflect your niche, industry, or product.

• Recent activity. Choose creators who’ve posted within the last month — active influencers tend to have stronger audience connections.

Before launching an influencer campaign, it's crucial to assess the engagement metrics to ensure their account is active and the influencer audience is genuinely engaged.

Elen

Chief Product Officer at IQFluence

After this, get instant reports on key influencer’s metrics and audience. 

Then, you get instant reports on age and gender breakdowns, languages, location ( both city and country), and even brand alignment.

Plus, every influencer is carefully vetted — you’ll see a clear audience type report showing the percentage of real people, mass followers, influencers, and even suspicious accounts. So you know exactly who you’re working with.

So, what to do next?

Engage with Them

If you want to build a real connection, start by engaging with the influencer before reaching out. Follow their account, like a few posts, write some comments. This not only helps you get a better feel for their content, but also makes you more familiar with them. 

Even better? It builds a rapport and seriously increases your chances of getting noticed when you are into their DMs later. You’re not just some random account — you’re that thoughtful follower who’s already been showing love.

Please remember not to offer collaborations in the comments, as it can come across as spammy. Instead, focus on leaving sincere comments — especially if the influencer writes long posts. Engaging meaningfully helps them and increases the chances they'll notice and appreciate your input. Influencer marketing is a collaborative effort, and both sides should benefit from the partnership.

Elen

Chief Product Officer at IQFluence

Now, it is a matter of payment.

Research the influencer’s expected compensation

Before reaching out to a creator, it’s a good idea to do a little research on pricing. That way, you’ll have a better handle on your budget and avoid wasting time if their rate turns out to be way higher than you expected.

Averagely, influencers tend to charge around $10 per 1,000 followers — so for someone with 100K followers, expect a starting rate of around $1,000.

How to get an influencer to promote your product? Research prices. Image source.

Google influencer’s prices since there are even websites that openly provide information about real influencer’s rates along with their fresh analytics. 

To determine how much different influencers charge, use influencer price calculators like Favikon or Airtable.

Keep in mind:

🙈YouTube and Facebook creators often charge 2x more compared to Instagram or TikTok, mostly due to the extra editing work involved. Instagram reels are more expensive rather than stories and carousel posts.

🙈 Influencers in specialized niches (like tech or NFTs) also tend to have higher rates due to the complexity of the content.

🙈 If you're asking for exclusive content usage, that usually comes at a higher price, so plan accordingly.

The good news? In our experience, most influencers are totally open to negotiating. Don’t hesitate to ask to adjust the rate, especially if you're offering other values.

After you've engaged with their content, researched the prices, the next question is: where should you actually reach out for a collab? 

Choose the Communication Channel

First, think about your goal: is it a one-time partnership, or are you aiming to build a long-term relationship? 

That makes a difference. If it's long-term, email is usually more professional and reliable. For something more casual or short-term, a DM on social media can work just fine.

How to contact influencers to promote your product? How to ask influencers to promote your product: Email or DM?

So, how to message an influencer for collaboration? Let’s take a look at real examples of how to outreach to influencers emails👇

Craft an Influencers Creative Message

After repeated testing of various templates, we've identified an ideal email structure that consistently yields high conversion rates.

In this part of the article, let’s review every component of an ideal email structure “how to ask influencers to promote your product”.

1. Subject Is a Must

The first thing some managers forget is to write a catchy subject. You attract attention and eliminate the possibility of being trashed as spam by accident. 

Here are some great examples, in our experience:

• Collab Opportunity ✨ Let's Work Together!
  
  
• [Your Brand Name] × You? Let's Create Magic
  
  
• We’d Love to Partner With You!
  
  
• Exciting Collab Idea Just for You 🎯
  
  
• Let's Team Up for Something Amazing!

There is also a spam word list that need to avoid using:

⛔ Urgency and pressure tactics (“Limited time offer”, “Urgent Last chance”, ”Hurry” “Final hours”, “Offer expires​”.)

⛔ Financial & Overpromotional Claims (“Earn money”, “Free cash”, “Make money fast”, “Double your income”, “No credit card required”.)

⛔ Health Claims (“Lose weight”, “Cure”, “No prescription needed”, “Pain relief”, “Anti-aging”.)​

⛔ Clickbait Phrases (“Click here”, “Buy now”, “Order now”, “Get it now”, “Sign up free”, “Take action’’, “Limited availability”.)

Keep in mind that subject lines should stay within 50–60 characters. And avoid using ALL CAPS — it can also trigger spam filters.

Now, let’s dive into how to message influencers and add that personal touch.

2. Personalize an Outreach

So, how do you ask an influencer to promote your product? When reaching out to an influencer, a little personalization goes a long way. Start with their first name — it’s a small detail, but it instantly makes your message feel more human and less like a bot email.

Next, mention something specific about their content. It could be a recent post you really enjoyed or a campaign they absolutely nailed. This shows you’ve taken the time to learn about them and truly appreciate their work.

Example 1: “I loved your recent post about sustainable skincare — your tips were so relatable and well-explained.”
Example 2: “Your collaboration with [Brand] really stood out. The way you told the story felt authentic and perfectly aligned with your audience.”

You can also personalize your pitch by explaining why they’re a great fit for your product or campaign. Make it relevant to their niche, content style, or audience demographics.

💅Hack: Attach the screenshot of the post you are complimenting to sound way more genuine. It melts any heart:) 

Example 1: “Your focus on wellness and clean living is exactly what we’re about, which is why we think you'd be an ideal partner for our new product launch.”
Example 2: “You have such a loyal, engaged following in the fitness space, and we believe our brand could bring real value to your community.”

People want to feel seen — not just sold to. A personalized outreach builds trust and increases the chances of turning a cold pitch into a real collaboration.

3. Outline Your Offer Clearly

Next, clearly define what you’re offering. Avoid vague descriptions — it's crucial that the influencer fully understands what’s expected of them. 

Be specific about the product line, the type of campaign (e.g., barter, paid partnership, affiliate), the platform(s) involved, and the format of compensation.

Example 1: We’d love to collaborate with you to promote our [Product Line] through an [Affiliate Program] on the following platform(s): [Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.]. Compensation will be based on [commission, fixed fee, gifted products, or a combination].

Example 2: We are launching a new campaign for our [Product Line] and believe your style and audience align perfectly with our brand. We'd love to collaborate with you on a [type of campaign, e.g., paid partnership] across [platforms, e.g., Instagram and TikTok].​

Collaboration Details:

• Product: [Brief description of the product]
  
  

• Campaign Type: [e.g., Paid Partnership]
  
  

• Platforms: [e.g., Instagram, TikTok]
  
  

• Compensation: [e.g., Fixed fee of $XXX per post/story]
  
  

• Deliverables: [e.g., 2 Instagram posts and 1 TikTok video]​

4. СТА

End the email with a friendly prompt inviting further discussion. Ask if they’d be interested in hearing more details, and offer to schedule a quick call to go over the brief or discuss compensation if needed. 

Example 1:

“If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, I'd be happy to provide more details if you have questions!”​

Example 2:

“Please let me know if you'd like additional information or if we can set up a time to chat further about the collaboration and any questions you might have.”

Include your Calendly (or other scheduling app) link so they can easily view your availability and choose a convenient time.

How do you ask an influencer to promote your product: use CTA to speed the process! Image source.

Example: Let me know if you have any questions — feel free to ask here in the chat, or you can book a time that works for you using the [Calendly link].

Uff…let’s finally get down to business and write the full email.

Influencer Outreach 1st message Templates to Copy

Here’s how to ask an influencer to promote your product template, both email and social DM. 8 examples included covering the most popular formats of collaboration.

Product Seeding Collab Template 

Email template👇

Subject: We'd Love to Gift You Something from [Brand Name] 🎁

Hi [Influencer’s Name],

Hope you’re having a great week! I’ve been loving your content lately, especially your [“morning skincare routines” or “honest takes on new wellness products”]. Your style is super genuine and really resonates with your community, which is exactly what we love to see.

I’m reaching out on behalf of [Brand Name] because we’d love to gift you something from our [Product Line] as part of a product seeding campaign. No pressure to post — we just think you’d really like it, and if you do, we’d love it if you tagged us on [Instagram / TikTok / etc.].

Let me know if you’re interested and where we can send your gift.
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Role] at [Brand Name]
[Website URL]

DM template👇

Hey [Influencer’s Name]! 👋
I’m with [Brand Name], and we’re fans of your content — especially your [ “skincare reviews” or “wellness tips”]! 💛

We’d love to send you a free gift from our [Product Line] — no pressure to post, but if you like it, we’d be so happy if you tagged us @brandhandle 💫

Let me know if you’re interested and where to ship! 😊

Paid Partnership Template 

Email template👇

Subject: Exciting Paid Partnership Opportunity with [Brand Name] 

Hi [Influencer’s Name],

I hope you're doing well! I’ve been following your work for a while, and I just wanted to say that I like your [specific compliment – e.g., “authentic approach to fitness” or “GRWM videos”]. Your content really feels genuine, and your community clearly trusts you — that's why we think you'd be a perfect fit for a partnership with [Brand Name].

We’d love to collaborate with you on a paid partnership to promote our [Product Line]. Here are the details:

• Product: [Product Name/Line]
  
  

• Campaign Type: Paid Partnership (sponsored content)
  
  

• Platform(s): [Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / etc.]
  
  

Let me know if you have any questions — feel free to ask here in the chat, or you can book a time that works for you using the [Calendly link]. Happy to jump on a quick call to go over everything, including compensation.

Looking forward to connecting and hopefully working together! 😊

 Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Role] at [Brand Name]
[Website URL]

DM template👇

Hey [ Influencer’s Name]!

I’ve been loving your [specific compliment – e.g., “workouts and wellness tips” or “GRWM videos”] — your approach really resonates with your audience! 💫

I’m reaching out from [Brand Name], and we’d love to partner with you on a paid collaboration to promote our [Product Line] on [Platform(s)]. If you're interested, I'd love to chat more about the details!

Let me know if you’re open to discussing this further. 😊

Affiliate marketing Template 

Email template👇

Subject: Affiliate Partnership with [Brand Name] – Let’s Team Up! 🤝✨

Hi [Influencer’s Name],

I hope you're doing well! I’ve been following your content for a while and just wanted to say — your [ “wellness tips” or “ skincare reviews”] are really thoughtful and engaging. You’ve built such a loyal and trust-based relationship with your audience, which is exactly why we’d love to partner with you.

I’m reaching out from [Brand Name], and we’re currently looking to team up with creators like you for an affiliate partnership around our [Product Line ].

Here’s what the collab would look like:

• Product: [Product Name or Line]

• Campaign Type: Affiliate Marketing

• Platform(s): [Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Blog, etc.]

• Compensation: Commission-based with [mention any perks like performance bonuses, discount codes, free product, etc.]

If you have any questions, feel free to ask here in the chat or choose a convenient time using the [Calendly link]. 

Looking forward to connecting and hopefully working together!

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Role] at [Brand Name]
[Website URL]

DM template👇

Hey [Influencer’s Name]! 👋

I’ve been loving your [“skincare reviews” or “wellness tips”] — your content feels super authentic and clearly connects with your audience.

I’m reaching out from [Brand Name] and would love to invite you to join our affiliate program for [Product Line] on [Platform(s)]. You’d earn commission on any sales through your link, and of course, we’ll send you free products to try too! 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask here in the chat or choose a convenient time using the [Calendly link]. 😊

Brand Ambassador Program Template 

Email template👇

Subject: Let’s Chat About a Brand Ambassador Opportunity 🤝✨

Hi [Influencer’s Name],

I hope you’re doing well! I’ve been following your content for a while, and I just wanted to say how much I like your [“approach to clean beauty” or “authentic, down-to-earth style”]. The way you engage with your community really aligns perfectly with our values.

I’m reaching out from [Brand Name] because we’d love to explore a brand ambassador partnership with you. We think you’d be an amazing long-term fit for our [Product Line].

Here’s a quick overview of the collaboration:

• Product: [Product Name or Line]
  
  

• Campaign Type: Brand Ambassador (long-term collab)
  
  

• Platform(s): [Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.]
  
  

• Compensation: [e.g., fixed monthly fee, commission + bonuses, gifted products, exclusive perks, etc.]

Let me know if you have any questions. Feel free to ask here in the chat or choose a convenient time using the [Calendly link]. 

Looking forward to chatting and hopefully working together!

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Role] at [Brand Name]
[Website URL]

DM template👇

Hey [ Influencer’s Name]! 

I’ve been loving your [“skincare content” or “wellness-focused posts”] — your voice feels so authentic and aligned with our values at [Brand Name]. 💛

We’re currently looking for a few creators to join our Brand Ambassador program for [Product Line] on [Platform(s)] , and you immediately came to mind. It’s a longer-term collab with exclusive perks, product gifting, and compensation.

Let me know if you have any questions. Feel free to ask here in the chat or choose a convenient time using the [Calendly link]. 😊

After that we breathe out and wait for the answer.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

1st follow up: 

Subject: Just following up — collab opportunity with [Brand Name] ✨

Hi [Influencer’s Name],

I hope you're doing great! I just wanted to follow up on my previous message about a potential collaboration with [Brand Name] through [Campaign Type] on  [Platform(s)].

No pressure at all if now’s not the right time, but I’d be happy to share more details if you're interested. 

Let me know either way — and thanks so much for reading!

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Role] at [Brand Name]
[Website URL]

How to ask an influencer to promote your product examples: creative follow-ups.

Add the picture of a sad pet to shamelessly manipulate the busy fellow:).

2nd follow up: 

Subject: Did my last message get lost in the algorithm? 😢

Hi [Influencer’s Name],

We’d still love to collaborate with you on a [brief description of your offer — e.g., "gifted campaign" or "paid collab"] with [Brand Name].

Not sure if now’s just a busy time, or if our message got buried in the inbox shuffle. Either way, we totally understand!

Here’s how we’ve been feeling waiting for your reply:

Hope to hear from you either way 🫶

Best,

 [Your Name]
[Your Role] at [Brand Name]
[Website URL]

And the last 3rd follow-up should be really short:

Subject: Just checking in one last time

Hey [Influencer’s Name],
Totally understand if now’s not the right time — just wanted to check in once more in case our messages slipped through the cracks.

If you’re open to chatting, we’d still love to collaborate!
Either way, wishing you all the best 🌟

Warmly,
[Your Name]
[Your Role] at [Brand Name]
[Website URL]

No worries — we still get replies, even if not from everyone. Once the collaboration ends, let’s track the results together.

Monitor Results with IQFluence

Depending on what you’re aiming for with your ad campaign, you’ll want to track the metrics that actually matter.

If it’s all about engagement, keep an eye on things like engagement rate and reach rate.

But if your goal is to drive sales? Then look at metrics like cost per click, number of sales, add-to-cart actions, or sign-ups.

You’ll also want to calculate the average cost per sale or registration — that’s key to knowing if your campaign is actually paying off."

At IQFluence you easily get the access to all these key metrics.👇

Besides, we boast the following features:

✅ Influencer discovery with 18+ filters and 375M+ influencer database

✅ Instant neat analytics reports for influencer, audience, and viral posts 

✅ Careful vetting

✅ Relevant Influencer outreach information

✅ MediaPlan Builder to collect key metrics for 30-day period

How do you ask an influencer to promote your product?

Here are how to ask an influencer to promote your product examples:

• Do your homework – Make sure they align with your brand.

• Engage first – Like/comment before reaching out.

• Personalize – Mention their name and content you love.

• Be clear – State what you’re offering (payment, product, etc.).

• Focus on value – Show how it benefits them and their audience.

• Keep it short – Get to the point quickly.

• Add a CTA – Ask for next steps or contact info.

• Follow up politely – Check back in a few days if no reply.

• Respect a no – Don’t push; keep the door open.

What are good ways to promote a product?

• Send Free Products enabling genuine reviews.

• Host Giveaways

• Establish Long-Term Partnerships

• Leverage Livestream Shopping

• Offer Exclusive Discounts

• Implement Affiliate Programs

• Encourage Authentic Content

How to pay influencers to promote your product?

• Flat Fee – Pay a set amount per post, story, or campaign.
  
  

• Free Product – Offer your product in exchange for a post (common with nano/micro-influencers).
  
  

• Affiliate Commission – Pay based on sales they generate using a unique link or code.
  
  

• Performance-Based – Bonuses for hitting metrics (views, clicks, conversions).
  
  

• Long-Term Partnerships – Monthly retainer for ongoing promotion.
  
  

• Platform Payments – Use influencer platforms (e.g., Aspire, Upfluence) for secure transactions.
  
  

• PayPal/Bank Transfer – Common direct payment methods.

What is the product seeding process?

Product seeding is a marketing strategy where brands send free products to influencers or creators in hopes they’ll share it with their audience.

How to ask instagram influencers to promote your product?

Here’s how to ask instagram influencers to promote your product:

Hey [Name]!

I’ve been loving your content — your vibe and the way you connect with your audience really stands out. I work with [Brand Name], and we’re looking to collaborate with creators we genuinely align with. 

We’d love to send you a free gift from our [Product Line] — no pressure to post, but if you like it, we’d be so happy if you tagged us @brandhandle 💫

Let me know if you’re interested and where to ship! 😊