[Takeaways]Brand Ban Gaya Frand| Creator Day India

Facebook and Instagram hosted a bunch of sessions on all things content today, i.e. 30 September 2021, as part of their program "Creator Day India".

One of the sessions hosted a panel discussion on how creators and brands can work together called, 'Brand Ban Gaya Frand'.

Panelists -

Sakshi Sindwani (@stylemeupwithsakshi)

Ashish Chanchlani (@ashishchanchlani)

Viraj Sheth (@viraj_Sheth)

with Roxanne Chinoy (@ladyroxpop)

Here are my takeaways from this session.

Things to keep in mind when starting out

1. Brands love creators who are genuine fans of their products.
2. Creators should showcase their real love for the brand or your fans will call you out.
3. A creative brief is two-way communication.
4. Thumb rule of brand integration - Know the product in and out.
5. Don't do too many brand partnerships right from the beginning of your journey.
6. Keep building your brand. Do more organic content instead of some quick monetary content.
7. Go for quality over quantity.
8. Don't spoil your brand image by undercharging your work.

How do you start working with the brands?

1. Do your research. Try out the product by yourself. Do a background check to get to know the brand and the product.
2. Allow the brands to connect to yourself as creators and beyond your work.
3. Have a proper ratio of organic to paid content.
4. In the initial days, do all the things by yourself and avoid getting an agent.
5. Both brands and creators are replaceable. Make sure you, the creator is on the same page as the brand. Meet in the middle ground if needed.
6. Build relationships over money. Have a vision and think long term instead of just doing one paid content or collaboration with any brand. Show you really care about the brand/product/their engagement.
7. Ask brands for feedback. What were the pros and cons of working with you as a creator?
8. You are never too big to approach brands for working together. So be grounded and humble.

For brands when working with creators

1. Ensure to build a rapport with creators.
2. Let the creators CREATE. Let the bosses of the digital media take care of it. It's what they do the best.
3. Stop being stubborn and don't talk to people like you own them.
4. Pick the right agency & be mindful of them to ensure proper communication between you and the creators.
5. Brand collaborations need to be love marriage and not arrange marriage.
6. Agencies should guide the creators with the right choices.

Digital creators have one thing that celebrities don't - Relatability.

Things to keep in mind while shooting branded content

1. Involve the brand in the entire process(pre-during-post). Write down the ideas. Show references to your ideas, videos, pictures, etc.
2. Use the brand first hand. Try out the product to figure out the why of the product. Know what the brand is all about. See what's in it for your audience. Get your skin in the game rather than making monetary brand deals for the sake of it.
3. Don't treat branded content like a checklist. Be energetic about the brand and the work you will be doing with them.
4. Don't do the branded content for the sake of it. Do it because you'll be happy to show the brand/product to your audience even without getting paid.
5. Be generous - throw in something a little extra. Do an additional story, an extra swipe up or an extra post. Words will spread.
6. Don't treat the branded content and your journey like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

You are here to create content, not ads.

Closing Thoughts

1. Don't buy followers. Grow slowly but grow organically. Don't buy verification as well. Bluetick won't add any value.
2. Choose your battles. Have self-respect and hold your ground when you have to. But also get the work done when you have to.
3. Brands are your investors. Never react. Most brands are open to ideas if done the right way.