Promotions & collabs: Watch out for these brand tactics

Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 11:54 am

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I understand brands want to have people share their content. But there are a few red flags to watch out for when it comes to brand tactics.

By all means, I’m willing to work with brands, But you really need to do your research and ask as many questions as possible before you agree to any promos or collaborations. You also need to do your research when it comes to brand ambassador work as well.

🚩1. Replying to a decline email with promo details

I recently had a cryptocurrency company spammed my inbox. I politely declined and it seems their automated system or person who handles their marketing took this as a yes.
worse yet they expected to pay me in their cryptocurrency.

The company requested I run pre-video ads on youtube featuring content they created. Their payment was by the subscriber unit. So basically they would pay me in crypto coin

The last time I checked you can’t pay bills with cryptocurrency (if I’m wrong someone let me know).

What got me was I declined politely and stated that I was not interested thin their promotion and thanked them for contacting me. How that equates a yes I want to promote your product is beyond me.

Also, who pays in crypto coins for a promotion. I guess they need to drum up new business but hey we’d like to get paid too.

🚩2. Hidden affilate marketing tactics

I’ve noticed this is big via social media contacts lately. many have been from Jewelry brands that are located overseas. Many are pretty basic you have to earn a set commission percentage. But you may need to meet a sales quota or sign up a few people for the program.

Some of these programs try to pass as ambassador programs. I was recently contacted via Instagram for such a program. It seems that they are offering top sales earners a giveaway prize Many of these brands also want you to promote their product and use your photos.

Here’s an example of one of the brands that contacted me a while ago.

I didn’t know that it was legal for brands to have expensive raffle prices. I also liked that they were all-expenses paid vacations.
I wonder how many people fell for this possible win. I also found it odd that they quoted how much the products would be worth in the British pound.

🚩3. They request Amabassadorship but requrie you to pay fees for shipping

This is tied to the previous post. I’ve noticed this via many of the Jewelry ambassador programs I’ve been sent requests for are similar to the one I shared above. Yet they also require you to pay a shipping or custom fee.

Once again the product is worth a set price or you are given a discount of a percentage off. But the site asks you to pay shipping or customs fees if the product is arriving from overseas.

You may also be required to sell a set product quota as well.

🚩4. Random collabs and promo request

I have these often on Instagram or by email. Many of these are brands that have no idea who I am or what I look like. Most are for clothing or athletic wear for someone who is a size two. Not for my chubby self.

many also require you to pay for overpriced products with your low discount code.

final thoughts

One thing you can do right off the bat with these types of requests is to ask questions. You should also make your terms clear and set your price or agreement terms.

If the brand is contacting you have every right to learn as much as you can about them and their policies.

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