Your heart’s set on becoming a brand ambassador, but you have no idea where to start.
Start by reading this blog, where we discuss what you must do to capture the attention of your favorite brands and secure your role as a brand ambassador.
What Is A Brand Ambassador?
An ambassador is a person who represents and promotes a brand both online and in person to a certain demographic.
They communicate a brand’s values and ethos to the public—not just with their content but, more importantly, their behavior and persona.
Think of them as the faces of the brand. People see brands through their ambassadors and content.
So, let’s say if a brand wants to have a certain image, it will partner with people who already have that public image.
For instance, Jude Bellingham is one of the newest brand ambassadors for Luis Vitton. He works with them to introduce Louis Vuitton to a younger audience and to reflect the brand’s vision of merging style with sportsmanship.
Because of Jude’s persona, young people who follow and admire him now see Luis Vitton as a sporty fashion brand.
You’re probably wondering what makes them different from influencers. Let’s discuss.
Brand Ambassador Vs. An Influencer
Though they seem similar, ambassadors and influencers are quite different. They have different roles and partnerships.
Here’s an at-a-glance comparison of their differences.
Comparison Aspect | Brand Ambassadors | Influencers |
Duration | Long-term commitment | Short-term |
Relationship | Deeply integrated with the brand’s identity | Campaign-specific engagements with multiple brands |
Brand alignment | Consistently embody and promote the brand’s values and ethos | Promote various products, aligning content with a personal brand |
Contractual obligations | Formal contracts often (but not always) with exclusivity and extensive responsibilities | Flexible engagements, generally without long-term commitments |
Promotional Scope | Engaged in extensive promotional efforts, may represent a brand at events | Primarily content creation for specific campaigns, less brand representation |
Brand ambassadors typically have a longer relationship with a brand and become deeply integrated into its identity. This means detailed and (sometimes) exclusive contracts. Think of them as a part of the brand’s family.
In contrast, influencers generally work with brands for a short time and engage in different campaigns for multiple brands without a lasting commitment. Their promotional work is more flexible and not usually exclusive to one brand. Think of them as more of the brand’s close personal friends.
Now, ambassadors also work with multiple brands at the same time, but they do it carefully to avoid conflicts. For example, an ambassador associated with a specific fashion label wouldn’t partner with a direct competitor in the same industry.
Influencers, on the other hand, can switch between competing brands more freely—unless a contract stipulates otherwise.
Brand Ambassador Requirements
Ambassadors bridge the gap between the brand and its customers, so they’re expected to have certain qualities.
Here’s what brands specifically require from their ambassadors:
- Be active online: Ambassadors must consistently engage with both their audience and the brand. Whether it’s through content creation, interactive posts, or community initiatives.
- Have a certain image: Ambassadors need to fully embody the brand’s values and image through their behavior and persona. This includes having a lifestyle and online presence that align with the brand’s integrity and appeal.
- Create specific content: Their content not only needs to be engaging but should authentically showcase the brand’s products through storytelling or visual narratives that resonate with their followers.
- Provide insights and feedback: Brands value ambassadors who offer insights based on their own and their followers’ experiences to improve product offerings and marketing tactics.
- Have marketing knowledge: It’s not about having a degree; it’s more about knowing how to reach the target audience.
Also Read: The Differences Between a Brand Ambassador Program and Influencer Campaign
Ideal ambassadors are not just active and align well with the brand but also know exactly which marketing strategies and tactics work best. This, obviously, comes with experience in creating content and working with brands.
Some ambassadors, high-profile ones, have dedicated PR teams who work with brands to create a marketing plan.
How to Become A Brand Ambassador for a Brand: A Step-By-Step Guide
Here’s a breakdown of steps to help you get started:
1. Build your brand
You need to be known and have a strong personal brand to become a valuable asset to a business so they’ll want to work with you.
Remember, all ambassadors and influencers start from scratch.
To find your own personality and unique persona, see what interests you and what knowledge you have. Also, decide which aspects of your personality that you want to highlight.
Identifying your unique interests will help you differentiate yourself and make you attractive for potential collaborations.
2. Choose a niche and build a following
Show people you’re an expert who knows what they’re talking about.
Pick a niche you are knowledgeable about and optimize your profile by consistently making niche-specific content.
Here’s a good example. One look at her profile tells you what her niche is and what she talks about.
Show your audience you care about them by engaging with their comments. Engaged social media personalities attract more followers and, ultimately, brand collaborations.
3. Choose a social platform
You must also decide on a social platform to focus on.
Understand that different platforms attract different audiences. Instagram and TikTok are popular with younger crowds, and LinkedIn is better for professional and business-related content.
Picking the right platform – for you – is key.
Each platform also works best with different types of content. Photos and Stories work on Instagram short videos on TikTok with short videos, and obviously longer videos on YouTube.
So, let’s say you want to become a brand ambassador on Instagram. You’ll need an attractive profile and high-quality photos and Stories.
Plain text posts and long videos won’t capture the attention of the platform’s target users. Plus, since they’re not the best content format for the platform, they’ll hurt your SEO.
4. Create consistent, authentic content
Your content is your most valuable asset.
It needs to consistently and authentically showcase the brands you work with. Create tutorials and reviews, or host events that align with your brand’s products.
Use storytelling and personal experiences to show product use cases and convey your expertise.
5. Identify and Connect with Brands
Once you’ve built your profile and grown your following, go ahead and start looking for potential collaboration opportunities.
Look for brands that are in tune with your style and content. Apply to their ambassador programs or network at industry events to establish connections.
Also Read: Top 7 Influencer Led Brands that are Taking Over – Glewee
Some brands, like Sephora, Breezy Swim, and Poppy Apparel, give clear links and instructions on their websites for engaging with their ambassador programs.
You can also contact brands directly through their PR teams or social media pages.
Customize your message to show your genuine interest in their brand and to highlight your value. Share relevant content pieces that showcase how well you fit with their brand
Start Your Ambassador Journey Now
Becoming a brand ambassador blends your personal interests with professional opportunities you can capitalize on.
Decide on a niche that you’re genuinely interested in and build your unique persona online.
Follow the example of established ambassadors and set milestones for yourself to create a roadmap for success.
Approach the right brands with personalized pitches that highlight your value and fit.
Good luck! We know you’ll get there soon. You can get started by joining Glewee today!