9 Different Ways To Collaborate With Influencers

Influencer marketing isn't just a buzzword anymore — it's a full-blown growth channel for brands that know how to do it right. But while everyone wants to "work with influencers," very few brands have a clear roadmap for how. That’s where this guide comes in.

We’re breaking down 9 powerful ways to collaborate with influencers — from simple product seeding to full-blown product co-creation. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale your program, there’s something here for you.

Summarising

Here’s a quick look at the 9 types of influencer collaborations we'll cover:

1. Product Seeding
2. Ambassador Program
3. Sponsored Posts
4. One-Off Commercials
5. Brand Takeovers
6. Giveaways
7. Product Collaboration
8. Event Hosting
9. Content Collaboration

Let’s get into the details.

1. Product Seeding

Product seeding is when you gift your product to an influencer with no strings attached. You're not asking for a post, a story, or even a shoutout — you're simply offering your product in hopes that they’ll genuinely like it and decide to share it on their own. It's one of the most organic ways to introduce your brand to a new audience.

Why? Because when someone chooses to post about a product they love, it comes across as authentic, not sponsored. And in the influencer world, authenticity is everything. Plus, it’s a great way to start a relationship without putting pressure on either side.

Best for:

Emerging brands, new product launches, and teams with limited budgets looking to build early buzz and organic relationships without breaking the bank.

Example:

Obvi, a collagen supplement brand, nailed their product seeding strategy to get authentic user-generated content. They managed to connect with over 100 influencers every week, which helped them build up an impressive collection of authentic UGC from influencers.

Advantages:

• Low cost – No influencer fees, just product and shipping costs. Great for brands with tight budgets.
• Builds genuine relationships – A no-pressure gift feels authentic and helps you start real, long-term partnerships.
• Generates organic buzz – Unpaid mentions often perform better because they come off as more genuine.

Disadvantages:

• No guaranteed content – Since there’s no agreement, they might not post at all.
• Time-consuming to manage – Tracking who got what and who posted can get messy without a tool like SARAL.

Estimated Costs

Just the cost of your product (COGS) and shipping. Tools like SARAL help scale and track the entire seeding process efficiently. Check it out for yourself here.

How To Execute

1. Make a dream list – Start with 30–50 influencers who align with your brand.
2. Send a warm message – Keep it personal, friendly, and mention why you love their content.
3. Track everything – Note who says yes, shipping info, and when you sent the product.
4. Follow up – Thank them, engage with their posts, and keep the convo going — it's about relationships, not transactions.

Metrics & KPIs To Track:

• Response Rates – How many influencers reply or show interest in your product.
• Unboxing Experience – Track feedback on packaging and first impressions.
• Post Likelihood – Estimate how often seeded influencers end up posting organically.
• Sales Conversion Rates – Measure if organic posts lead to website visits or purchases.

2. Ambassador Program

An ambassador program is a long-term partnership where influencers aren’t just promoting your product — they’re representing your brand. These creators often become familiar faces to your audience, showing up regularly in your content and theirs. It’s about building something ongoing, not a one-time deal.

Best for:

Brands looking for consistent exposure and long-term influencer relationships that grow trust and loyalty over time.

Example:

1st Phorm, a nutritional supplement brand, managed to onboard a team of 4000 brand ambassadors, resulting in a staggering revenue of $13M, without any ad spend.

Advantages:

• Builds trust with audiences – Influencers act as authentic brand advocates. Their consistent presence builds long-term trust with their followers.
• Consistent brand visibility – Regular posts and interactions from ambassadors keep your brand top of mind for their audience, providing steady exposure.

Disadvantages:

• Takes time to set up and manage – Building relationships and creating an ambassador program from scratch can take years of effort and strategic planning.
• Requires clear contracts – Since it's an ongoing partnership, you'll need contracts in place to avoid confusion and ensure both parties are aligned.

Estimated Costs

Ambassador programs can range from $200 to $2,000 per month per ambassador, depending on their reach, engagement, and deliverables. Micro-influencers usually fall on the lower end, while niche or high-reach creators may charge more.

Some programs also offer performance-based commissions on sales, which can make the partnership more cost-effective and incentive-driven.

Keep in mind, the cost can also vary based on deliverables & other perks, such as the number of posts, stories, or exclusive content.

How To Execute

1. Identify loyal influencers – Find influencers who genuinely align with your brand and already engage with your products.
2. Create a structured program – Set clear expectations with landing page/brand guidelines that include how often they’ll post and what content you expect.
3. Offer incentives – Reward ambassadors with a flat fee, free products, or variable commission tiers on sales to keep them motivated.
4. Track performance – Monitor their content, engagement, and overall impact on your brand over time.

KPIs To Track:

• Earned Media Value (EMV) – Measure the value of ambassador-driven exposure versus paid ads.
• Brand Mentions – Track how often ambassadors mention your brand across platforms.
• Discount Code Redemptions – Attribute sales to specific ambassadors using personalized codes.
• Conversion Rate – Measure how effectively ambassador referrals turn into customers.
• Revenue per Ambassador – Calculate ROI by comparing each ambassador’s cost to the revenue they generate.
• Engagement Rate – Monitor likes, comments, and shares on ambassador content to assess UGC value.

3. Sponsored Posts

Sponsored posts are paid collaborations where influencers create tailored content to promote your product or service. Unlike organic content, sponsored posts are created with the intention of showcasing & promoting your brand, often with specific messaging or goals in mind. It’s a straightforward way to tap into an influencer’s audience and boost visibility.

Best for:

Brands looking for guaranteed exposure. Sponsored posts ensure that influencers create and share content that directly promotes your product, offering clear and measurable results.

Example:

Kendall Jenner created a paid partnership post specifically promoting L'Oréal’s products, reaching her massive audience with clear brand messaging.

Advantages:

• Guaranteed deliverables – You have a clear agreement on what content the influencer will create, ensuring that you get the posts you expect.
• High reach in a short time – Sponsored posts allow you to tap into an influencer’s large following, quickly boosting brand visibility.

Disadvantages:

• Can feel transactional – Because the collaboration is paid, the content might come off as less authentic and more like an ad.
• Requires legal/FTC compliance – Sponsored posts must follow regulations, including proper disclosure of the paid partnership, which can add complexity to the campaign.

Estimated Costs

$100–$10,000+ per post, depending on influencer’s quoted fee, COGS, and shipping.

How To Execute

1. Set clear goals – Define what you want to achieve (e.g., brand awareness, sales, etc.) and set measurable KPIs.
2. Write a creative brief – Outline the key messaging, content format, and any dos and don’ts to guide the influencer.
3. Use SARAL or DM outreach to pitch – Reach out to influencers with a personalized pitch, leveraging tools like SARAL for smoother management.
4. Approve content and post timeline – Review and approve the influencer’s content, and agree on when and where it will be posted.
5. Track engagement and KPIs – Once the post is live, monitor engagement (likes, comments, shares), reach, click-through rate, and conversions to evaluate its performance. Make adjustments as needed for future posts.

KPIs to Track:

• Reach – Understand how many people saw the content and gauge your brand’s exposure.
• Click-through rate (CTR) – Track interest by monitoring how many users clicked on affiliate links or other landing page CTAs.
• Sales from UTM or code – Attribute conversions using unique tracking links or influencer-specific discount codes.
• Earned Media Value (EMV) – Estimate the value of the exposure based on impressions, engagement, and content quality compared to paid media.

4. One-Off Commercials

One-off commercials are like micro-ads created by influencers for a specific campaign or product. Unlike typical sponsored posts, these are often more polished and story-driven, with higher production value. Influencers collaborate closely with brands to ensure the message is spot-on and aligns with their audience’s interests, while still feeling natural.

Best for:

New Product launches or brand storytelling. One-off commercials are perfect for creating excitement around a new product or sharing a compelling brand story in a polished, engaging way.

Example:

A great example of a one-off commercial is the collaboration between The Deep and Liquid Death. In this commercial, Liquid Death cleverly incorporates The Deep’s personality, blending humor and bold storytelling. The ad stands out because it taps into the brand’s edgy, unconventional approach, while also providing a playful and memorable narrative that resonates with their target audience.

Advantages

• High-quality content – These commercials are often well-produced and visually polished, making them stand out across platforms.
• Better for storytelling – Influencers can dive deeper into your brand’s message, creating emotional or memorable narratives.

Disadvantages

• Expensive – High production value and creative input mean higher costs compared to regular influencer content.
• Not scalable – Since they’re tailored, time-intensive pieces, it’s hard to replicate or scale them across multiple influencers or campaigns.

Estimated Costs

$1,000–$15,000 per project that includes influencer’s fee, production cost, and any other marketing-related costs.

How To Execute

1. Shortlist creative creators – Look for influencers known for creativity, high-production storytelling, and creative direction.
2. Align on story and tone – Collaborate closely to ensure the content reflects both your brand and the influencer’s style.
3. Set a timeline and budget – Plan ahead for scripting, filming, and edits — these projects often take more time and resources.
4. (Optional)Promote as an ad – Once live, you can boost the post as a paid ad to maximize reach and ROI.

KPIs To Track:

• Video views – Measure how many people watched the commercial to understand reach and interest.
• Shares and Saves – Strong indicators of how engaging or valuable the content is to viewers.
• Brand sentiment – Monitor comments, PR articles, and reactions to gauge how people feel about your brand after watching the commercial.

Getting authentic, high-converting UGC from influencers—without the high price tag is highly possible with the right tactics. Check out this FREE guide to learn proven strategies for sourcing cost-effective but authentic influencer content that feels real and drives tangible results.

5. Account Takeovers

In an account takeover, an influencer “takes over” your social media account for a day—usually on Instagram or TikTok. They give your audience a behind-the-scenes look, share how they use your product, or create content from their unique perspective. It’s a fun and authentic way to temporarily hand over the mic and build trust with your audience.

Best for:

Increasing engagement and reaching new audiences. Takeovers let influencers bring their followers to your page and create fresh, interactive content that boosts visibility and trust.

Example:

The best example would be when the renowned clinical psychologist and mindfulness expert Dr. Shauna Shapiro guided Goop's audience through a calming meditation session.

Her approach aimed to help viewers shift from negativity to positivity during challenging times, offering practical lessons for emotional well-being. This collaboration blended Goop's wellness philosophy with Dr. Shapiro's expertise, providing followers with a moment of reflection and self-care.

Advantages:

• Fun and interactive – Takeovers feel fresh and engaging, especially in Stories or Reels.
• Builds trust through transparency – Followers get a behind-the-scenes look, which humanizes your brand.

Disadvantages:

• Risk of off-brand messaging – If not aligned properly, the content may feel disconnected from your brand voice.
• Requires close coordination – Planning, access, and approvals need tight collaboration.

Estimated Costs

Costs typically range from $500 to $3000, depending on the influencer’s reach and content scope. This includes the influencer’s time, planning, and coordination, with possible additional expenses for product shipping or travel.

How To Execute

1. Plan the takeover schedule – Set a date and time that fits within your content calendar, considering the influencer’s availability and your brand's peak engagement periods.
2. Decide on the content focus – Choose a topic that resonates with both the influencer’s audience and your brand values. For example, if it’s a wellness brand, the influencer could share a day in the life of using your products, a workout routine, or a mental health tip.
3. Share account access (safely!) or co-create content – Provide secure access to your account or collaborate to pre-create posts and stories.
4. Promote the takeover in advance – Generate excitement by teasing the takeover in posts, stories, and email newsletters.

KPIs To Track:

• Engagement – Track how many people watched, liked, and commented on the takeover content to measure its reach.
• New followers – Monitor follower growth to see if the takeover helped attract new, relevant audiences.
• Engagement during takeover – Measure likes, comments, shares, and interactions to assess how engaging the content was.

6. Giveaways

Giveaways are co-hosted campaigns where influencers and brands team up to offer a product or service to their followers. To enter, followers typically must engage with the post by liking, following, or commenting. It’s an effective way to increase brand visibility, grow your audience, and encourage engagement.

Best for:

Boosting engagement and growing followers. Giveaways are a great way to encourage interaction and attract new followers, as participants must engage with your brand to enter.

Example:

Jot Coffee and Gelato Boy teamed up for a delicious giveaway that combines the best of both worlds. Fans had the chance to win a unique Pumpkin Spice Latte Gelato Kit, featuring Jot’s concentrated coffee and Gelato Boy’s creamy, seasonal gelato. This giveaway encouraged followers to engage by tagging friends and sharing their excitement about the collaboration, boosting visibility and engagement for both brands.

Advantages:

• Quick follower growth – Giveaways often lead to a rapid increase in followers as people are eager to participate.
• High engagement – The requirement for likes, comments, and shares drives interaction and excitement.

Disadvantages:

• Low-quality followers – Many entrants may not be genuinely interested in your brand, leading to less meaningful long-term engagement.
• Prone to drop-off post-giveaway – Follower growth can decline after the giveaway ends as people unfollow once the contest is over.

Estimated Costs

Typically ranges from $0 to $1000, depending on the costs of the prize, influencer collaboration fee, and promotional cost.

How To Execute

1. Set clear rules – Make sure participants know exactly how to enter and the eligibility requirements.
2. Use a tracking tool (like SARAL) – Track engagement and entries to ensure the process runs smoothly.
3. Promote across both profiles – Use both the brand’s and influencer’s platforms to maximize reach and visibility.
4. Announce the winner transparently – Ensure fairness by publicly announcing the winner and sharing proof of selection.

KPIs To Track

• Follower growth – Track how many new followers you gained during and after the giveaway.
• Engagement rate – Measure likes, comments, shares, and overall interaction with the giveaway post.
• Website traffic spike – Monitor if the giveaway leads to an increase in visits to your website or product pages.

7. Product Collaboration

Product collaborations involve co-creating a product or collection with an influencer. In this partnership, the influencer brings their audience, while your brand provides the product. It’s a win-win, as the influencer’s personal touch on the product adds authenticity, and their promotion of the collaboration sparks excitement among their followers.

Best for:

Established brands looking to build long-term brand equity. Product collaborations can strengthen brand identity and create lasting relationships with an influencer's audience.

Example:

Prime Drink, the popular hydration brand, teamed up with influencer and streamer IShowSpeed to create a limited-edition product that was an instant hit. The collaboration leveraged IShowSpeed’s massive fan base, with the influencer promoting the drink through engaging videos, showing off the product’s unique flavor and design.

Advantages:

• High buzz – A unique product collaboration can generate significant excitement, especially when it taps into the influencer’s fanbase.
• Influencer feels invested – Since the influencer co-created the product, they’re more likely to be passionate about promoting it.

Disadvantages:

• Long timelines – Product collaborations often require extensive planning, prototyping, and testing, which can lead to delays.
• Manufacturing complexities – Ensuring that the product meets both your brand’s and the influencer’s standards can be challenging.

Estimated Costs

Costs range from $5,000 to $100,000+, depending on the scope of the collaboration, including product development, influencer fees, and marketing efforts.

How To Execute

1. Choose a partner with a strong personal brand – Select an influencer whose values and audience align with your brand to ensure authenticity.
2. Align on product specs – Collaborate on the product design, features, and target audience to ensure the final product resonates with both your brand and the influencer’s followers.
3. Co-create launch content – Plan and produce content that highlights the collaboration, including unboxings, reviews, or behind-the-scenes footage.
4. Track performance – After launch, monitor metrics such as sales, website traffic, social media engagement, and influencer mentions. This will help gauge the success of the collaboration and make any adjustments for future partnerships.

KPIs To Track:

• Sales – Monitor how many units of the product are sold, particularly during and immediately after the launch.
• Pre-orders – Track pre-order numbers if the product is available for early purchase before its official release.
• PR mentions – Keep an eye on media coverage and influencer mentions to see how much buzz the collaboration is generating in the press and across social channels.

8. Event Hosting

Event hosting involves organizing or sponsoring events and inviting influencers to attend or speak. Whether it's a product launch, a panel discussion, or an exclusive VIP experience, events provide an opportunity for brands to engage with influencers and their audiences in real life, creating lasting connections and buzz around the brand.

Best for:

In-person engagement (IRL), product launches, or community-building. Hosting events allows brands to connect with influencers and their followers on a personal level, creating a memorable experience that strengthens brand loyalty.

Example:

A good example would be Sephora’s Exclusive 4-5 day Launch party. They fly influencers to a single location, providing them with a full experience, from meeting the brand’s team and receiving exclusive goodies to participating in content creation. The event features temporary studios and themed "content booths," ensuring a variety of content is produced, from product demos to behind-the-scenes footage.

The result? A flood of engaging content that influencers share across platforms, driving excitement and visibility for the brand.

Advantages:

• Face-to-face relationship-building – In-person interactions with influencers foster deeper connections and stronger partnerships.
• Authentic content from events – The live nature of events allows for genuine, high-quality content that resonates with audiences.

Disadvantages:

• Logistically heavy – Organizing a successful event requires careful planning, coordination, and resources.
• Higher cost – Events come with significant expenses, including venue, travel, accommodations, and influencer fees.

Estimated Costs

Costs range from $2,000 to $50,000, depending on the scale of the event, location, and influencers involved.

How To Execute

1. Plan event details – Decide on the event type, guest list, location, schedule, and logistics. Make sure it aligns with your brand's goals and audience.
2. Send out invites and promote – Invite influencers and key media personnel. Promote the event in advance through social media, email, and collaborations to generate excitement.
3. Create content during the event – Set up content booths, provide branded hashtags, and encourage influencers to create content. Capture behind-the-scenes footage and moments for social sharing.
4. Track performance – Use social listening tools, track hashtag usage, and monitor engagement on event-related content. Measure media coverage, influencer posts, and any direct sales or traffic spikes.

KPIs To Track:

• Event hashtag usage – Track the use of event-specific hashtags across social platforms to measure reach and engagement.
• Posts & Engagement generated – Monitor the number of posts, videos, and stories created by influencers during the event, including reach, impressions, and comments on those posts.
• Leads collected – Measure any leads or sign-ups generated during the event, especially if you’re promoting a product or service.

9. Content Collaboration

Content collaboration involves partnering with influencers to co-create content, such as blogs, videos, podcasts, or even social media posts. Unlike traditional paid promotions, this approach focuses on a deeper creative partnership, allowing both the brand and the influencer to bring their unique strengths to the table. It’s an excellent way to create authentic, engaging content that resonates with the influencer’s audience while aligning with your brand's message.

Best for:

Brands focused on SEO, thought leadership, or content repurposing. Content collaborations help build credibility, improve SEO through influencer backlinks, and allow for multi-channel distribution of content across platforms.

Example:

Glossier partners with beauty influencers to co-create in-depth tutorials on YouTube, showcasing their products in real-world use. These collaborations provide helpful, engaging content that helps build trust with potential customers while positioning Glossier as a thought leader in the beauty space.

Advantages:

• Evergreen content – Co-created content has a longer shelf life and continues to drive value over time, especially with SEO-focused collaborations.
• Multi-channel distribution – Content can be repurposed across various platforms, extending its reach and impact.

Disadvantages:

• Requires strong creative alignment – Successful collaborations demand alignment between the brand’s messaging and the influencer's style, which can take time to establish.
• Potential for mixed messaging – If not carefully coordinated, the collaboration could result in messaging that doesn't resonate with either audience.
• Time-consuming – Content creation and approval can be a lengthy process, especially when ensuring quality and consistency.

Estimated Costs

Costs range from $500 to $10,000, depending on the content format, influencer reach, and production quality.

How To Execute

1. Brainstorm content ideas together – Collaborate with the influencer to create content ideas that align with both your brand's messaging and their unique style.
2. Define deliverables and timeline – Set clear expectations regarding the type of content, the platforms it will be published on, and the timeline for completion.
3. Distribute on both parties’ channels – Ensure the content is shared across both the brand's and influencer's platforms, maximizing reach and engagement.

KPIs To Track:

• Engagement Rate – Measure likes, shares, comments, and interactions to assess how engaged the audience is with influencer content.
• Traffic Generated – Track website visits or blog traffic driven by the influencer's campaign, focusing on quality and time spent on the site.
• Conversions & Sign-Ups – Monitor how many desired actions (such as purchases, sign-ups, or downloads) are driven by the influencer's promotion.

Conclusion

There’s no one-size-fits-all way to collaborate with influencers — and that’s the fun part! Whether you’re gifting products, launching a full ambassador program, or co-creating content, the key is finding what fits your brand, your goals, and your budget.

And hey — if managing all this feels overwhelming, SARAL makes it 10x easier.

It's an all-in-one influencer marketing platform that can help you:

• Find influencers
• Reach out to them
• Manage relationships
• Ship out your free products
• Create coupon codes and track results

…and do so much more.

It handles all the tedious work so you can focus on building genuine relationships with influencers who love your brand.