“Influencer inboxes are war zones right now,” our US-based TS contact just told me. Even our long-term creator partners are drowning in collaboration requests—their unread email screenshots make our scalps tingle. Who has time to sift through this noise, especially when half are AI-generated spam?
So how do we cut through the chaos? Here’s TS’s playbook:
1. Stop Spraying & Praying
- Invest in data tools first: Use third-party platforms to filter creators by:
- Region | Niche | Product category | Recent 90-day performance
- Golden rule: If they don’t fit your brand, ignore vanity metrics.
2. Automate Vetting, Not Relationships
- After initial screening, run accounts through deeper filters:
- Audience demographics vs. your target
- Prior collaborations in complementary niches
- Product integration quality (airtime % / hook structure)
- Output: A scored priority list—no more wasting time on “all-banned” batches.
3. Ditch Email as Your First Move
- Email = burial in a 500-message graveyard.
- Pivot to:
- Warm intros via industry connections
- Direct calls/video pitches
- For high-value targets: Face-to-face meetings (TS flies cross-US with product samples)
4. Own the Follow-Up
- Samples? Content deadlines? Track relentlessly.
- Bottlenecks happen when no one takes ownership.
Reality Check
- Industry-wide volatility: Creator metrics are swinging wildly across all platforms.
- No resting on laurels: Past success ≠ future wins. New “viral” creators ≠ reliable partners.
The fix isn’t magic—it’s ruthless efficiency. Stop adding to the inbox clutter. Start building fewer, smarter, warmer bridges. 🔥