How To Get A Product Featured In A Blog

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Oct 20, 2016, 09:00am EDT |

Six Tips For Getting Your Brand Featured On An Influencer's Blog

Forbes Communications Council

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Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

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Forbes Communication Council

Communications, PR, public affairs & media relations executives from Forbes Communications Council share firsthand insights.

Influencers have a lot of sway over their followers, and their opinion can directly impact whether or not consumers will patronize your business.

Getting your brand featured on a high-profile blog is a great way to increase your visibility, but what's the first step toward getting noticed by an influencer? Simply put, start by being authentic and showing them what you have to offer.

Below, six communications executives from Forbes Communications Council share their best tactics for getting the attention of an influencer to land a spot on their blog.

Clockwise from left: Laurie Falconer, Adam Coughlin, Jennifer Mellon, Amanda Brinkman, Nadja Blagojevic, Joe Palko. All photos courtesy of the individual members.

1. Build A Relationship

First, you need to read the blog and learn everything you can about the influencer. Then, you must spend time building a relationship with that blogger, and one of the best ways to do that is to ask questions. Show a true interest in what motivates the influencer and what his/her readers are interested in. If your brand fits with the blog's objectives, you'll increase your chances of being featured. -Laurie Falconer,Ruckus Wireless, a part of Brocade

2. Add Value

Influencers are conversation drivers. It isn't hard to parachute into a conversation. But it is hard to actually add value. Marketing jargon doesn't add value. Focus on offering original data and unique takes on your industry gained by experience. If your brand is known as a source of valuable content, you'll attract the attention of influencers. In fact, you may become one yourself. -Adam Coughlin,Dyn

3. Emphasize Your Culture

Everyone has something to sell. Stressing what makes your culture unique will get your brand noticed above your business plan. Are you a female founder? Do you have really great work-life balance policies in place for your team? Do you have a social mission component to your startup? All of the pieces that make your company unique will be interesting to an influencer blog series. -Jennifer Mellon,Trustify

4. Know The Blogger

You must take the time to research everything you possibly can about the bloggers you reach out to. Nobody respects you if you don't take the time to learn about the purpose of their blogs. The best way to get the attention of a blogger is to acknowledge and respect the work they do. -Joe Palko,Josephpalko.com

5. Put Yourself In Their Shoes

Any time you're reaching out to a blogger or influencer, you should think about what their goals are and how you can help. Do they want attention? Feature them by creating a custom version of your product. Clicks? Be catnip for their audience. Reshares? Offer free products to be given out as prizes for a contest for their fans. To get what you want, you need to understand what they want. -Nadja Blagojevic,Reserve

6. Be Authentic

When you create content that is genuine and provides real value, bloggers are more likely to reference your work. Many brands start out down this path, but cave under the pressure of incorporating product messaging that ends up feeling like advertising noise. Influencers are not interested in helping you sell; they want to deliver valuable content to their audience, so make that easy for them. -Amanda Brinkman,Deluxe Corporation

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