As a blogger, it can be challenging to ensure that all your collaborations with different brands are legitimate. How can you know if your brand collaboration is genuine? Will an influencer contract template help? If you’ve wondered what the answers to questions like this are, don’t panic. There are several approaches to avoiding scam collaborations as a blogger, and we will cover them in this article. Read on for the five ways to avoid scam collaborations as a blogger.

What Are the Biggest Red Flags to Look for When You Receive a Collaboration Invitation?

Some of the most significant red flags to look for when you receive a collaboration invitation include the following points:

• Unprofessional collaboration requests – the brand requests collaboration through a blog comment using an unprofessional tone.

• Requests that you make a purchase – the brand requests that you first make a purchase and then receive reimbursement before you become their ambassador.

• Without access to the product before the work starts, the brand requests that you create blog content without seeing the product.

• The brand does not pay you for your work – you begin to work for the brand, but you don’t receive any payment for your articles or influencer work.

Can an Influencer Contract Help You Avoid Scam Collaborations as a Blogger?

If you’re working as a brand influencer or freelance blogger, you can use an influencer agreement to help you avoid scam collaborations. This legal term will help you establish the conditions and terms between the brand you’re working for and yourself as an influencer.

What Are the 5 Ways to Avoid Fraudulent Collaborations as a Blogger?

The five ways to avoid scam collaborations as a blogger include researching, reaching out to bloggers, asking a brand for a contract, using an influencer agreement, and becoming a part of an influencer marketing platform.

1. Completing research

Before you agree to work with the brand, complete the necessary research and investigate the brand’s online presence. Check the social media channels such as LinkedIn to see the brand’s reputation for yourself.

2. Reaching out to bloggers

When in doubt, double down on your research by corroborating what other bloggers found out. Check their opinions on a brand’s legitimacy and ask whether it is genuine.

3. Asking the brand for a contract

Contracts ensure you get paid and, at the same time, that you deliver what you have promised the brand. You must avoid starting a paid collaboration agreement without ever seeing a contract, so you should ask them for a contract to ensure your arrangement. Say no to brands that don’t offer a contract, or proceed with the next point on this list.

4. Using an influencer agreement

As a freelance blogger or influencer, you may consider writing a legal document known as an influencer agreement before you agree to work with a brand. With an influencer agreement, you can exchange your advertising and blogging services for payment for a long-term marketing campaign or a short-term project.

5. Becoming part of an influencer marketing platform

You may become part of an influencer marketing platform to get the extra protection you need before working with a brand. The platform you join should vet your partnerships and ensure you avoid any scams or fake collaborations. You may consider platforms such as Upfluence, Influencity, or Influsoft to begin working with top legitimate brands.

Two Extra Ways to Avoid Brand Collaboration Scams

If you want to be extra vigilant, don’t skip the following two methods to avoid brand scams when looking for brand collaboration opportunities.

Avoid clicking links in suspicious direct messages

You may receive a direct message or email that mentions an opportunity to collaborate with a brand. In that case, consider if the email is suspicious and avoid clicking links in the email to bypass any scams or illegitimate opportunities altogether. Email is a popular scamming place, so you need to be wary of the catch-all emails function.

Choose brands that show they appreciate your work

This means you shouldn’t be paying a brand when you’ve offered them work. On the contrary, they should offer to pay you for your work. Always look for brands that appreciate your work and are looking to exchange your top influencer and blogger work for a good wage.

Avoiding Scam Collaborations as a Blogger: a Summary of the Key Points

It’s never easy to verify whether your collaborations are legitimate, but there are some methods you can adopt to facilitate this. Follow the five points in this article to avoid scam collaborations, and don’t forget to look out for the four red flags mentioned at the beginning. Consider using an influencer contract if your brand doesn’t offer you a contract. 

Finally, ensure you thoroughly research the brand or join an influencer marketing platform to start snapping up the best collaborative opportunities available.