Introduction

We spent over $1 million sponsoring creators and learned what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid wasting your budget.

What's the problem it solves?

Many companies want to work with creators but don’t know how to do it right. They waste money on bad deals, poor fits, or overpriced content. This article shares lessons from someone who’s tried it all.

Quick Summary

Ahrefs has worked with hundreds of influencers and spent over $1 million doing so. In this article, their partnerships lead shares what he learned so others don’t make the same mistakes. One key rule: don’t expect people to buy right away. Instead, offer something simple and useful, like a free tool.

The article also explains how important your company’s brand is. Creators don’t want to risk their reputation. You must be ready to prove you’re trustworthy. You also can’t always believe big numbers-some influencers ask for high prices but don’t deliver real value. That’s why it’s important to check their audience and talk to them personally.

Negotiation matters too. Prices vary wildly, so always talk about cost and never accept the first offer. Use tools like ChatGPT to find potential partners and always take a personal approach when reaching out. Keep reports to track how well each partnership performs, and don’t be afraid to test new things, even if it means some campaigns might fail.

Key Takeaways from the article

• Don't expect instant results from creator partnerships-focus on simple, free offers that give value.
• A strong, honest brand makes it easier to work with creators.
• Always check an influencer’s real impact, not just their follower count.
• Prices can vary a lot-don’t take the first quote without a discussion.
• Negotiate clearly and offer a budget up front.
• Tools like ChatGPT can help find good creators in your niche.
• Reach out personally; avoid spammy, mass outreach.
• Ask creators to report performance so you can learn what worked.
• Budget decisions are tough-expect some stress and uncertainty.
• Keep testing different channels, prices, and ideas to learn what performs best.

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