Fashion keeps evolving almost every half a decade. And fashion brands too evolve with it. In the past couple of years since the advancement of digital technology and the world of social media has taken off quite promisingly, the fashion industry too has managed to keep up with it. 

With the rise of digitization came the rise of influencer marketing and this has been working out really well for every brand in the fashion industry. One of the very first niches in influencer marketing was fashion. That helped many brands achieve more from influencer marketing on a budget while promoting their products and the influencers. There can never be a shortage in the number of fashion brands. And hence, there can never be a shortage in the demand for fashion influencers. 

For most fashion enthusiasts the idea of being a fashion influencer involves posting fashionable pictures on Instagram. While that is one of the things that brands look for on the Instagram feed when looking for influencers, it is not the only thing to focus on. If you want to collaborate with fashion brands in India, you will have to do a little more than just posting aesthetic pictures on Instagram. Here’s a little something to get you started. 

1. Pick your niche

Fashion is a very fluid industry and it only keeps expanding. There are different sectors in the industry that support different objectives, follow different styles. So you have to decide which one you want to be a part of. Now, if you have something innovative in your mind, if you have a very different style to offer, or if you want to introduce people to a style that they do not know much about, we’d say go for it! Your niche will define your journey when you grow as an influencer. Picking your niche is the first step to being an influencer. 

2. Create independent content

Before you start collaborating with businesses on brand campaigns, you will need to create content of your own to build your community. You have to start by creating content on your own, where you use your own expertise and resources to show your creativity. Businesses are out there trying to reap the benefits of influencer marketing and they are looking for you. So using your independent content you can showcase your potential and also build your own audience. Think of it as building your portfolio for a job opportunity. 

3. Tag brands in your posts

This is something that fashion influencers, lifestyle bloggers, and every other enthusiast have been doing since the beginning of the influencer era. Every time you create your content, if you are using any other brand’s products, do tag them. This will do two things for you as an influencer. Firstly, your audience will know more about your preferences and purchase those products you are using. Secondly, by tagging the brands you can get their attention on your content and once they see that your audience is reacting to you endorsing their brands, they would want to collaborate with you. This is one of the ways that influencer marketing started initially. 

4. Create engaging content

Different types of influencers use different strategies to receive engagement from their followers. Since you are at the beginning of your career, you are still a micro-influencer and hence, you can use any and every engagement that you can get. The simple ways to have your followers engage with you is by putting polls on your stories, asking them to comment on your posts, and you can ask them to send you their suggestions. 

5. Make a list of brands

Like every other job, you as a fashion influencer must also have a list of brands you like, look up to, or work with. If not, then it’s time you make one. By creating this list you will have a clearer perspective on what kind of work you want to do and are capable of. You can keep a tab on these brands, research them, educate yourself about them so that when you collaborate with them you are prepared. 

6. Approach them professionally

When you have your list ready, you can pick the brands you are fit to collaborate with and start sending out collaboration emails. Remember to not send direct messages on Instagram or comment on their posts requesting to collaborate. That will never work. Approach them professionally through the assigned emails and introduce yourself formally.

7. Highlight your achievements

In your introductory mail, you can include every detail about yourself that you think will convince them to collaborate with you. And hence, you must definitely highlight your achievements and bring your best content to their notice. Make sure to keep it very tasteful and polished. Talk about what you are capable of bringing to the table and how this collaboration can be beneficial for the brand. 

8. Look for brand ambassador programs

Most brands these days run their own brand ambassador program where they are actively looking to collaborate with influencers for their influencer marketing campaigns. Keep an eye open for that. This could be one of the easiest ways to collaborate with fashion brands. But before you send your application to them, make sure you understand the campaign thoroughly. 

9. Collaborate with an influencer marketing platform

Influencer marketing platforms can become your one-stop destination for your career. By collaborating with these platforms you are exposed to many collaboration opportunities. WORD Marketplace is one such influencer marketing platform that is meant to uplift micro-influencers and bring them closer to brands that are out there with killer camping ideas. 

You can join the platform by just signing up and browsing through the many brands present on the platform. Once you find brands that are suitable for your niche, you can send them your content submissions. If the brand approves, you get paid right away, and just like that, you have finished a successful gig. 

10. Go for small businesses

A lot of small businesses are out there looking for micro-influencers. Working with small businesses might not get you a lot of money in the beginning but you do get a lot of exposure, experience, and satisfaction. Most fashion influencers these days are going for very unexplored niches like sustainable fashion or thrift fashion. For something like that, you can always grow your reach by collaborating with small businesses. 

To collaborate with fashion brands might not be very tough but it does involve certain procedures and is highly based on niches. When you collaborate with brands you have to make sure that they are fulfilling your goals. At the beginning of your career, you might feel that you should grab any opportunity that you get. This is not entirely true. There are multiple factors that you need to consider before you collaborate with a brand. You also have to keep in mind that the brands you collaborate with aligning with your values, personality, and most importantly, your audience. 

These things might seem negligible, but when you are out there looking for the best opportunities, it will help you go a long way.