So, You Want to be a Brand Ambassador... I've Got 8 Things You Should Consider

Do you run in a particular brand of clothing? Use only one fuel religiously? Wrap your legs in compression? Have you ever considered representing your favorite brand and promoting their products through social media? It's that time of year when all the brands are calling out for runners to apply to their brand ambassador programs.

It's a lot of fun being a brand ambassador! I've been an ambassador for a variety of brands over the years. Currently, I am a brand ambassador for Inknburn, Tailwind, Momentum, and RockNRoll Races. There's more to representing a brand than just wearing their products or receiving freebies. If you are considering a brand ambassadorship, I've listed some things below to keep in mind before accepting.

Do you actually use the product? Ok, this seems like a no-brainer, but when I first started blogging, I was so eager to start repping a product that I probably would have agreed to anything! Compression socks seem to be the gateway drug to ambassadorship--there are a lot of sock companies out there willing to share their goods in exchange for blog posts and Instagram shout outs. I wasn't immune to the flattery--while I didn't become a compression sock brand ambassador, I did product reviews for a company that sells compression socks. As much as I wanted to do right by the company, I wore the socks for the post and that was it. From this experience, I learned that I didn't like compression socks for running. I would use them for recovery and if I was still working as a hospital nurse, I'd wear them on the job. Lesson learned:  I just didn't feel right representing a product that I really don't use.

All decked out in ambassador gear.

What are the perks? Does the company offer ambassadors free products? Or do you get a discount? Some brands are really generous with their ambassadors. Others offer a substantial discount. And other brands, not much of a discount at all. Maybe the brand doesn't give a lot of perks, but there are other benefits, such as substantial social media exposure if you wear their products. What's important to you?

What are the requirements? Does the brand expect ambassadors to wear their products at races and display the products prominently on social media? How would you feel about wearing gear with the brand's name/logo at races? In the past, one sock brand that I represented decided (after I was already on board) to require ambassadors to purchase and wear a kit for all races. Here's my take on that: if you want me to wear gear emblazoned with your brand name on it, then provide it for free (like a certain fueling company does). Oh, and make the gear attractive--something that runners would be proud to wear. While I loved their socks, I objected to having to buy the kit and wear it to races. I resigned from my ambassadorship.

You need a fairly large social media presence. The good news is that you don't have to be a blogger to be a brand ambassador. If you have a good following on Instagram and/or Facebook, brands will take a chance on you. My friend Kristina, aka Live Laugh Love Run/OC Running Mama, is a brand ambassador for Inknburn, Feetures, and Tailwind. She doesn't have a blog but she has a popular Facebook page as well as a large following on Instagram. If you do have a blog, it's a good idea to install Google Analytics or Statcounter to help track your presence on social media. A lot of ambassador programs ask for your numbers.

Make sure your goals and values align with the company's goals and values. Inknburn is made in the USA and while that makes their products a little more pricey than some of the big names, I'm really proud to represent them and wear their gear knowing that the products are made here and not in a sweatshop. Their clothing is uniquely designed and each piece is produced in limited quantities. Tailwind is a true grassroots company and when I considered trying their fuel, I reached out to the company with some questions. I heard back from one of the owners--that meant so much to me that when they opened up their ambassadorship program, I knew I wanted in. Although they are growing, Tailwind still personalizes every bag of fuel they send out. I love the personal touch. Oh, and I love their fuel.

So proud to be wearing my Inknburn!!!

Along those lines, know what you are getting into. A year ago, I was a Venus de Miles race ambassador. I had participated in the event and loved it, so it seemed like a good fit for me to represent. I read the requirements before I applied and it seemed like they were asking a lot for a free entry and a race jersey, but I thought it would be no big deal. Turns out, it was a lot of work and while it was for a great cause, I struggled to meet all the requirements. I felt really bad about that and didn't apply the next year. I realized I wasn't the only one struggling with this commitment when only 1 other ambassador besides me showed up to the event.

Don't spread yourself too thin. Once you have an active social media following, brands are more interested in bringing you on board. Pretty soon, everyone is offering you goods and you're representing multiple brands! It can get pretty overwhelming. If you are affiliated with too many brands, your followers will be confused and so will the brands. Learn to say no. Choose only the brands that you really love and relate to.

Honor your commitment. The brands that choose to work with you are expecting you to promote them in exchange for whatever perks they are offering. Make sure you're sharing your affiliation and love for the brands on social media regularly! Tagging the brands in your posts and using their hashtags are really important. Show your passion for the products you represent! Try to be positive in your presence on social media--it's ok to "keep it real" but don't be Debbie Downer all the time.

I'll tell you, my diagnosis with RA really threw me for a loop this year and it happened after I was chosen to represent Inknburn, Momentum, and RockNRoll Races, as well as my re-appointment with Tailwind. It was a challenge to stay positive at times but the brands stuck with me which kept me on track. I had a lot of fun this year. With the uncertainty of my disease, I won't be renewing some of these ambassadorships for 2018. I am so grateful to these companies for choosing me to represent their brands and I hope I did a good job sharing my love for them this past year!

Anything to add? Do you represent any brands? What have you learned as a brand ambassador? 

I'm linking up with Tuesdays on the Run aka Marcia, Erika, and Patti as well as Coaches' Corner aka Debbie, Rachel, and Lora.