My Teen Received Her First Offer as a Micro Influencer – What Do We Do? | Marketing Q&A

Entrepreneur Question:

My teen daughter has an Instagram account and it has gone through a growth spurt. I manage the back end while she handles all posting. She has just started to receive offers from brands, nothing major, but exciting for us!

She has received her very first “gift of products”. They are hair care products, and there was no contract or contingency for acceptance of the gift, the company just said they wanted to send her a care package, and we happily accepted it with the understanding that we would most likely do an unboxing/review. We have some footage filmed and almost ready to drop a hair care routine.

I know we can reach out to the brand and ask, but before we post anything I am wondering if there’s usual expectation for this type of exchange?

Penny

Expert Answer:

First, let me say congratulations! I can imagine that it was exciting for your daughter to receive this offer (and while I only had boys, I can only imagine how large of a quantity of haircare products teen girls use … this would be helpful I’m sure!)

Note that I always recommend that there is a written agreement in place whenever micro-influencers are use… but that’s usually what I’m recommending to the business. Since they sent you this with no set expectations and no strings attached, it sounds like they’re happy with whatever you choose to do (which is a great way they can make sure it’s authentic).

I know you will want to make sure that this is done as professionally as possible to increase the likelihood that your daughter receives even more of these types of offers!

Scroll through the Instagram messages though, just to make sure there isn’t one from them that outlines expectations which you may have missed.

If not, what most brands want is authenticity. She can enhance the professionalism of what she shares, and increase chances of getting more offers, by reviewing their website and official channels to get some ideas about some of the buzzwords and brand terms they use.

Also note things like brand hashtags that they use on their social media, especially if there are any specifically for this product line.

See what other influencers have done in promoting any products for them, especially those that received a lot of good engagement. That may expand her ideas.

Also be sure to put required sponsorship labels on the posts, #ad or #gifted or check the box when IG asks if it’s a sponsored post. Even though she’s not being directly paid in cash, she did receive product in exchange, so you want to make sure to follow all required guidelines to keep her account in good standing.

Do the number of posts that feels right (since the brand did not set a requirement), but don’t go overboard or it will feel inauthentic. Similarly, don’t feel like you have to lie about the product if there’s something you don’t like. “I’m not a fan of this particular scent but I still love the way it makes my hair feel” for example (although you don’t have to point out things that might not matter to her audience.)

Have fun, and wishing her many more brand offers!

Vicky

Have a marketing question?

Click the chat bubble icon bottom right of the website and ask your question

– OR –

Leave a comment in the “Reply” section down below

Answering entrepreneurs’ most burning marketing questions

Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and get quick, targeted marketing advice

Our CEO Vicky Wu brings her 30 years of experience marketing for Fortune 500 companies, multi-million and multi-billion-dollar global corporations to answer your specific marketing questions. Most entrepreneurs aren’t able to find – or afford – access to this level of expertise. And that’s exactly why we’re bringing it to you.