How to Become a Well-Paid Brand Ambassador in 2024

With the overwhelming presence of social media and the impact of celebrity culture, more and more brands are using brand ambassadors to promote their products and services. From new startups who want eyes on their products to well-established businesses who wish to remain relevant in their niche, there are hundreds of companies looking for friendly, clever and creative individuals to help their products soar.

With the right knowledge and tools, you can kickstart your career and become a well-paid brand ambassador. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from what a brand ambassador actually does, to tips on how to reach out to them.

What is a Brand Ambassador?

Brand ambassadors are individuals in partnership with a brand who work to represent and advertise it in a variety of different ways. They spread awareness of the brand by actively using its products or services and creating content for social media. This drives traffic to the brand or company, increasing sales and revenue. Because of this, brand ambassadors need to be experts on the company and products to advertise effectively.

Many brand ambassadors are celebrities, (such as Beyonce for Pepsi and Robot Patterson for Dior), but this isn’t always the case. Effective ambassadors may even be employees of the company. A Sciendo case study exploring the impact of Employees’ communication on consumer behavior found that the communication of employees as brand ambassadors increased customer interest and trust in the company, proving that brand ambassadors are powerful allies in today’s marketing landscape.

Brand Ambassador vs Influencer

Although they may seem very similar at first glance, there are a few key differences between brand ambassadors and influencers.

A brand ambassador will have a trusted and established relationship with the brand in question. They will have a wealth of knowledge about it, which they use to promote the products. Furthermore, it’s important that brand ambassadors align with the views and values of the brand so there are no conflicts of interests.

In comparison, an influencer will be sent products by the brand and work with them short term. Influencers will also likely have never used the products before, and will give their honest opinions when trying them for the first time. Just like brand ambassadors, influencer marketing is great for improving brand awareness on social media, using word-of-mouth to get products and services into the public eye, and building trust.

What Does an Ambassador Do For a Brand?

Brand ambassadors have a range of roles and responsibilities, which include but are not limited to:

• Building trust for the brand – When people see others, particularly famous or influential people, using and loving your products, this will prove they can trust you, making them more likely to make a purchase.
• Humanize the brand – Brand ambassadors will give your brand a human touch, showing off the physical and emotional benefits of a company’s product. They’ll also make consumers aware of your values.
• Increased visibility & brand awareness – Brand ambassadors get your products out into the world, letting potential customers know who you are.

Not anyone can be a brand ambassador. These individuals have a certain skillset that will help build trust for your brand and product. So, if you want to become a well-paid ambassador in 2024, here are some of the skills you’ll need to develop:

• Communication – You need to be able to talk or write about the product you’re promoting. 
• Teamwork – You need to work with a company, and sometimes other brand ambassadors, to promote the products.
• Creativity – You may need to write articles, create social media posts and graphics, or even film videos to use as content on your social media.
• Marketing knowledge – It’s essential to know how to market a product or service, especially through social media.
• Customer service – You’ll likely get questions about the product, so you need to know how to answer them.

It’s important to work on these skills if you want to be a well-paid brand ambassador. Taking courses or attending classes are good ways to sharpen your skills and give you an edge over the competition, ensuring you won’t just promote products – you’ll get paid a good salary for it, too.

Do brand ambassadors get free stuff?

Yes! Brand ambassadors will get free products that they need to promote, whether that’s jeans, make-up, sportswear or even fresh food. 

How much do brand ambassadors get paid?

The average brand ambassador salary in the US is $66,41. However, this may vary from company to company typically, with numbers falling between $58,483 and $75,375. Some brand ambassadors may only be paid in the form of free products, so it’s important to do your own research before you agree to work for a company.

Can you be a brand ambassador for multiple companies?

As long as the companies don’t overlap, then you can be a brand ambassador for multiple companies. However, you won’t be able to be an ambassador for a company’s competitor or someone else who might be taking up space in a similar market. For example, you can be a brand ambassador for a water bottle company and a gym wear brand, but you won’t be able to represent two water bottle companies or gym companies. This can be tricky if you work for a company that has multiple products, even if you aren’t promoting them all. The last thing companies want is to drive traffic to their competitors.

Check with the brand before taking on any more commitments so your expectations are in alignment.

Which Brands Are Looking for Ambassadors?

There are many different brands and companies you can be an ambassador for in 2024. Both well-establiashed and new startups will be on the lookout for brand ambassadors to help them build trust and authenticity in their products. Keep in mind that pay may differ from company to company. A startup may not have the means to offer as much as a well-known company. Here are just a few companies with brand ambassador programs that you can take advantage of:

• Poppy Apparel – Feminine clothing and accessories
• Hello Fresh – Meal delivery service
• Wet N Wild – Cosmetic company
• Forever 21 – Clothing brand
• Audible – Audiobooks and podcasts
• Breezy Swim – Swimwear and accessories
• Oakley – Outdoor eyewear
• Nivea – Beauty and skincare
• Nike – Footwear
• NYX Cosmetics – Beauty and cosmetics
• Arvo – Clothing and accessories
• Enjoy Leggings – Leggings
• The Great North – Interior design
• Bold Dots – Eyewear

How to Become a Brand Ambassador

Despite how easy social media makes it look, becoming a well-paid brand ambassador doesn’t happen overnight, and there are lots of things to consider, such as understanding the requirements, and knowing where to find the right jobs. Here are some important considerations if you want to become a brand ambassador – and get paid for it!

Understanding Brand Ambassador Requirements

Brand ambassador requirements may vary from job to job, depending on the salary level and the company. However, in general, you don’t need a degree to become a brand ambassador. Here are some of the most common requirements you may need:

• Experience as a brand ambassador or in a similar role
• Strong social media presence 
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent written skills
• Experience creating online content
• Experience with social media scheduling tools
• A passion for the product

It’s also important to be professional, friendly and approachable. Remember, brand ambassadors may have to attend events to promote the products or answer questions. Don’t choose to work with a brand that’s not in alignment with your own values, even if the pay is good. If you don’t like the brand or product, your followers will soon work it out. Conversely, if your excitement and love for you brand is authentic, your followers will pick up on your passion and choose to purchase the product or use the service too.

Finding Brand Ambassador Jobs

There are lots of opportunities out there that will help you become a well-paid brand ambassador. You just need to know where to look. 

• Social Media – Many companies and brands will advertise for brand ambassadors, particularly on Instagram. Follow companies you like and that align with your values, so you will be the first to see if they are looking for brand ambassadors. You could also search hashtags such as #brandambassador for upcoming positions.

• Job Boards – If you’re looking for a high-paying salary, sift through job board using the key word “brand ambassador”.

• Company Websites – Many companies have a “Brand Ambassador Program.” One example is Red Bull, which advertises for brand ambassadors on its website. They’re looking for people who can build genuine relationships and connect with key influencers. A quick Google search will bring up a range of companies looking for ambassadors. From there, you can pick and choose the ones you like.
  
• Through Email – If you really want to work with a particular company, but they don’t have a brand ambassador program on their website, email them. Make sure to mention why you want to work with that company specifically and what benefits you believe you can bring. If they don’t reply, send a follow-up email.
  
• Networking events – Networking, whether physical or virtual, is a great way to show off your communication skills in person. Attend company events and workshops to meet people who can help you get your foot in the door. Bring along business cards and maintain a positive and friendly attitude. 

Using Social Media to Your Advantage

It’s good for brand ambassadors and influencers to have a large following so that they can show off products and services. If you’re looking to be a successful, well-paid brand ambassador, it’s important to create an engaged community or fanbase you can advertise to.

You don’t just have to use social media! You can also advertise to your private community too. One platform that’s great for this is Teach.io, as it has many different tools you can leverage to your advantage.

Make sure your platform reflects your values so companies can decide whether to work with you. This includes clean, easy-to-follow social media pages with good, engaging captions and professional-looking photos or videos. A company won’t want to work with a potential brand ambassador who can’t take a good photo or who directly contradicts their values

You could also create a post highlighting that you’re looking for brand partnerships.

Professionalism in Partnership

Showing professionalism to your brand partners is not just about how you present yourself but also how you conduct yourself. Always make sure to sign a brand ambassador contract, as this will protect you and the company you’re working with, and show you’re dedicated. A brand ambassador contract is legally blinding and will usually cover responsibilities, expectations, time frame, payment, and other important details.

However, if there’s something you don’t agree with, don’t sign the contract. It’s important to make sure you’re happy as a brand ambassador, too. This means you can negotiate terms that you feel will benefit you and both the brand.

Reaching Out Confidently

When crafting a brand ambassador email, it’s important to be direct, professional, and personalized. Don’t just copy and paste content from one email to another – be specific about the different things you like about the brand and products. Ensure all the information is factually correct to show the brand you know what you’re talking about. We’ve included a template below, but feel free to take this as a base and embellish it. If you have particular skills you feel would benefit the company (such as video editing or graphic design) mention it in the email. Give them an offer they can’t refuse.

Here’s a brand ambassador template you can use as a starting point:

Brand Ambassador Email Template

Subject Line: Partnering Opportunity: [You] and [Partner Company Name]

Hi [company name],

My name is [your name], and I’ve been following [company name] for a while. I’m writing to express my interest in working with you and promoting your products on my social media.

I’ve been using [brand’s products] for [time frame] now. [Include a sentence or two about what you love about the brand’s products or services and/or how their values align with your own.] 

I would love to be given the opportunity of a potential partnership with you, and I am open to a variety of collaboration options. I strongly believe that my audience would love to hear about your brand and its products. I’d love to help drive traffic and sales to you.

You can check me out on Instagram at [Insert your Instagram name.]

I look forward to hearing back from you and discussing this opportunity further.

Kind regards,

[Your name.] 

Building Your Personal Brand

Your personal brand should feel uniquely you, embodying all the qualities and values you hold near and dear to your heart. Your social media presence and interactions with others both online and off should reflect your personal brand.

Benefits of Building a Personal Brand

• Helps curate an engaged community – If you’re vocal about your beliefs and values, you’ll automatically attract individuals who share the same views. This will help you curate a more engaged community that will want to interact with your audience. This is great news for brands who would rather work with a smaller, engaged audience than a large audience who might not interact with your content.
  
• Builds credibility – Building a personal brand around your own values will help you maintain credibility. If you’re constantly talking about topics close to your heart, this will show brands that you’re authentic and can be trusted.
  
• Confidence building – If you choose to show an authentic, unapologetic version of yourself to your online audience, this will build confidence. Your followers and brands will want to interact because of you and your unique style.
  
• Distinguishing yourself from the competition – Building a personal brand around your own values will make you stand out against the sea of other influencers and potential brand ambassadors who might be trying to appeal to too many brands at once.
  
• Better aligned partnerships – By highlighting your values, beliefs, and interests, you’ll attract brands that align with you, helping you to create strong partnerships that benefit you both. 

FAQ

Do brand ambassadors have rules to follow?

Brand ambassador rules will vary from company to company. Brand ambassadors may have rules and requirements to follow as outlined by their contact. These could include posting schedules and frequency, content requirements, whether you are allowed to work with other brands and more.

In general, all brand ambassadors should:

• Be authentic and true to themselves and the brand
• Work with brands they trust and use
• Adhere to the requirements outlined by the brand
• Maintain a clean and unproblematic social media presence

How to make money as a brand ambassador?

Brand ambassadors make money in different ways depending on the company. Some may be salaried, or they may be paid based on the number of customers they send to the brand. Others may not be paid at all, but be given free products. This all depends on the company, so make sure this is clear before you sign any contracts or enter into any partnerships.

Brand ambassador vs affiliate: What’s the difference?

Brand ambassadors will already know and love the product, whereas affiliates may not have used the product before they start promoting it. Where brand ambassadors work to actively promote products and may be given pay and compensation for their efforts, affiliates will earn money through commission.

How old do you have to be to be a brand ambassador?

Typically, brand ambassadors should be at least 18 years of age. After that, brand ambassadors can be of any age as long as they know and understand the brand they’re advertising. 

Conclusion

Many people can become and influencer or a brand ambassador. However, becoming a well-paid brand ambassador requires a different skillset. From the skills you need to develop, to building your personal brand  and finding the right jobs, there is a lot that goes into making sure you’re well-paid for your time and creativity. Follow out tips, tricks and expert advise above to help you turn your passion into a thriving career.

Become a Well-Paid Brand Ambassador With Teach.io

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