July 7, 2022
UPDATED: July 14th, 2023
AUTHOR: Stacy Wells
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Being a Brand Ambassador: The Role and Fun Perks
Join The journey of being a brand ambassador is an endeavor packed with a ton of excitement and rewarding perks. The role is where passion meets profession; a playground for those who love to share and care about certain brands. As an ambassador, you are a bridge between the brand and its audience. You organically spread the word about the products you genuinely love. It’s all about advocating for the companies that align with your lifestyle and values. More than just a program, being a brand ambassador is a lifestyle. It’s about being a brand ambassador – living, sharing, and growing with your favorite brands!
The impact of word of mouth marketing is massive. And the masters of genuine word of mouth promotion are brand ambassadors! They truly help businesses prosper. By working together in grassroots marketing initiatives, advocates foster trust through personal connections. The results they generate are not only valuable but also uniquely difficult to duplicate.
Brand enthusiasts get a variety of rewards. Many of which fall into 14 categories. However, the reality is that there are a limitless number of incentives.
In this article, you’ll learn more about being a brand ambassador and a lot about the perks you can expect. We will update the possibilities to keep a running idea board of possible rewards.
What do you do as a brand ambassador?
In the rewarding role of a brand spokesperson, you can transform your passion, creativity, and influence into a gratifying venture. You might be pondering, “What is a brand ambassador?” Essentially, it’s akin to being the superstar of the brand universe. This dynamic link connects a company and its audience. In this role, you can sprinkle your own unique, authentic magic across your networks. With all your activities, you aim to foster brand awareness and promote the products you love!
Sharing is caring (the primary duty)
First, sharing is at the heart of this role. Roster’s insightful first-party data reveals that virtually all ambassadorship programs view “sharing” as the primary duty of the role. To put it into perspective, this responsibility is specifically mentioned in a staggering 98% of applications. (Source)
The vibrant world of social media, on platforms like Instagram, becomes your stage. Moreover, sharing enables you to spread the word about your favorite brands both online and offline.
Join the creative team
However, being an ambassador isn’t just about sharing. It’s also about creating! You’re the brand’s storyteller. Essentially, you become the creative wizard behind engaging photos and videos that capture your unique experience with the products. You’re entrusted with the task of narrating the brand’s story and illustrating how their products seamlessly integrate into your life. Why? When real people share real endorsements, it’s 93% more authentic and relatable! (NEILSEN)
In addition to your creative endeavors, your role entails active engagement with the company. You’re invited to participate in their campaigns, fostering a genuine sense of belonging within the brand’s community.
Long-term partnership
Lastly, but certainly not least, your voice truly matters! Your unique perspective can affect change by supplying feedback. You can give insight into the overall brand experience, product development, and more. You have the opportunity to work alongside bigwigs and contribute to molding the brand you adore. Being a brand ambassador isn’t just about promotion. It’s a fun-filled opportunity to form enduring, positive partnerships with the brand!
Here’s a quick recap of what a brand ambassador does:
Share the love – spread the word about your favorite brands to your online and offline audience and followers.
Shine on social – utilize your social media prowess to promote the brand, especially on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Be a storyteller – create engaging UGC through photos and videos that capture your unique experience with the brand’s products.
Engage and grow – actively participate with the brand and complete various campaigns, becoming an integral part of their narrative.
Product reviews – Be the voice of change by providing valuable feedback to the company, influencing product development and improvements.
Build lasting partnerships – forge enduring, positive relationships with the business, making promotion more than just a job but a fun-filled partnership!
What does being a brand ambassador get you?
1. Product discounts
For someone who loves a product, discounts are perfect. Brands almost always give their advocates discounts on their purchases. The amount of reduction varies, but some companies even reward ambassadors with deep discounts that only cover their costs.
Beyond personal discounts, advocates get personalized discount codes to share. You know that feeling when you get a good deal? The only thing better is giving your family and friends a special discount they can’t get anywhere else.
Also, some companies give account credit.
2. Product discount
Discount codes for product
Personal discount codes to share with family and friends
Unique links to share with family and friends
Store credit
3. Free stuff
Now we’re talking. People adore free stuff, especially from a company they like. It may not be anything extravagant, but a little branded swag is always appreciated. Hats, mugs, and t-shirts are all potential perks.
Examples of freebies
Branded swag
T-shirts
Hats
Mugs
Discontinued items
Stock overruns
Anything free
4. Gift cards
Ambassador programs can have milestone activities that reward gift cards at certain levels. Even better than discount products is free money that you get to spend on a product you have been wanting.
Remember to post about the product you get with your gift card.
Gift Card Possibilities
A gift card (simple as that)
5. Win prizes
Companies sponsor a contest, raffle, or giveaway. You get opportunities to win perks and prizes. This one is fun for everyone and frequently rewards engagement.
Contests don’t need to be elaborate. Simply asking ambassadors to post a specific type of picture works. Just remember that participation is what counts.
We usually see campaigns that involve things such as posting and telling stories that connect to the brand. Also, referring your friends to a brand is super popular.
Keep things fresh and enjoyable. Brands may give special offers and discounts in conjunction with events. Birthday discounts and holiday gifts are fantastic.
A bit of science behind special offers — a random perk can spark more endorphins than expected rewards. It’s true. In the 1950s, B.F. Skinner documented that a variable schedule of rewards is more captivating and pleasurable than constant, predictable perks.
Ideas
Birthday discounts
Holiday gifts
Pre-release items
Early access to sales
7. Chance to be featured
Keeping a partnership mentality in mind, being recognized by brands is an outstanding benefit for everyone. It’s exhilarating for people trying to increase their followers to have their stories and posts highlighted by brands. At the same time, advocates’ commitment and love for brands deepen. You’re definitely helping each other build social currency.
Brands can highlight their ambassadors and creators in many ways. Some companies include pictures and individual stories on their websites.
Also, people may appear in blogs and social media. We just published an article explaining the ins and outs of what does an ambassador do. (This is a must-read for everyone who is planning on rewards and perks. There are some clear expectations and requests.) We highlighted three ambassadors with reposts and links.
Beyond featuring people, some companies use advocates in photoshoots.
Places to feature
Websites
Social media
Events
Brand emails
Photoshoots
8. Sponsorships
Discounted and free merch is fantastic, but sponsorships are the ultimate perk. Many developing athletes align with brands via sponsorships. The compensation can range from a pair of shoes and warmups to thousands of dollars.
Companies will also sponsor youth groups and athletic teams by giving them discounts and free supplies. Team members function as ambassadors if the sponsorship is public, such as a logo on uniforms.
Financial sponsorship
Promotional products
In-kind good and services
Media features
Competitions, tournaments, races, games
Events, dinners, performances, exhibitions, galas
Support for ambassadors’ charities
9. New and exclusive products
Sometimes brands let advocates have an exclusive first look at new products. Similarly, they may also get the opportunity to test and use new items before they release them to the general public.
Early access is exciting, and ambassadors love being an “insider.” They get something unique and rare, only available to VIPs.
Product launch – ambassadors use new items and share them with their communities, creating buzz surrounding the product kickoff
Links and discount codes to promote new and exclusive products
Signature product
Limited supply items
10. Insider access and product development
For someone who is an extension of the brand, ambassadors truly care about new products. Their assessment of a new product isn’t tainted by months of investment or job security. Rather, it is in their best interest to help with the product pipeline. They genuinely want to ensure brands keep creating great things that benefit consumers like themselves.
The community of advocates is a great resource at every stage of the product development process.
Ambassadors make superb focus group members. R&D feedback and direction are not only a perk but also really constructive for brands. Again, a win-win for the partnership.
Brands may send ambassadors surveys about future products and designs. Smart companies have an open relationship where ambassadors can share ideas and give feedback.
R&D feedback
Focus groups
Surveys
Open relationships to share ideas and feedback
11. Live events
Organizations may invite brand ambassadors to company parties and special functions. Some people get VIP access to events companies sponsor, like NBA games and concerts. Product launch celebrations are an ideal time to have ambassadors join. After all, these people are probably the same individuals who shaped the new product line.
Occasionally, brands host events just for ambassadors. Dell Computers does not pay its ambassadors, nor do they give free computers. However, they do invite top ambassadors to meet with Dell executives, including the CEO. Dell enthusiasts love to talk with top leaders and consider this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If participation in events involves travel, some businesses will reimburse for travel expenses.
Parties
Special functions
VIP access
Games
Concerts
Product launches
12. Virtual events
Right now, numerous companies have shifted from live events to virtual meetups on Zoom and Facebook Live. Brands can use online gatherings to review and promote upcoming campaigns, highlight extraordinary advocates, get product feedback and brainstorm new ideas.
You can also play games and have raffles. Since brand ambassadors are usually a fun and enthusiastic bunch, virtual events are anything but boring. Here are some ideas for online events:
Facebook Live
Zoom Meetups
Monthly check-ins
Quarterly gathers
Contests, raffles, giveaways
Games
Highlight ambassadors
Review campaigns and plans
Our mindset has changed with the rise of telecommuting. Interacting on a virtual basis can strengthen teams and communities.. Learn all the steps and best practices for excellent virtual meetings that unite everyone.
13. Employment
An advocate can be more than marketing agents or affiliates. Companies hire them in many positions, such as retail and college programs. However, the amount of money you can make as a brand ambassador varies depending on the job and the company you work for. Some people may work in this role simply because they love a particular brand or enjoy gaining more attention on social media.
For paid ambassadorships, individuals will receive a set hourly or annual wage. According to Roster first-party data, the average brand ambassador salary in the United States is $49,390. Also, paid positions may include many other rewards such as free products and insider access.
What to expect
Hourly compensation
Commission
Brand swag
Samples
Reimbursement for travel expenses
Events
New friends
Promotions
Compensation may come in the form of status, such as a brand insider. Also, companies often pay referral commissions. Additionally, influencers with mega audiences demand thousands of dollars for Instagram posts and endorsements.
OmnicoreAgency published data on the fees brands pay. Nano-influencers with 500 to 5,000 followers make an average of $114 per video post on Instagram. In comparison, they earn $100 for an image post and $43 for a story.
Power users are those ambassadors who have between 30k to 500k followers. These people make an average of $775 for an Instagram video, $507 for an image post, and $210 for a story.
14. Long-term partnership
The very heart of a brand ambassador program is connecting organizations with their devoted followers. Ambassadors are often loyal customers and promoters who generate content, awareness, and sales for a company.
The partnership has a ton of perks for both the ambassadors and the company. Several of the advantages were discussed already, such as discounts, joint campaigns, events, and sponsorships.
According to some of the best businesses, there are universal advantages to being in a brand ambassador community.
Content designed especially for you
Access to tips and insights
Training tools
Forums
Endorsements and recommendations
Business connections
VIP access
Special treatment
No surprise, people relish being a brand ambassador for companies. In the end, a brand partner or ambassador is a perpetual collaborator and ally.
Being a brand ambassador
Collectively, brands and ambassadors form strong ties and lasting relationships as they work together. Over the months and years, this partnership benefits both parties.
Most often, application forms for ambassador programs will indicate the significant bonuses of participating in the program.
Although not an exhaustive list, the brand ambassador’s privileges include free and discounted merchandise, gift cards, referral rewards, and possible hourly wages. Organizations will hold events, contests, giveaways, and early access to product launches. Ambassadors can appear on websites, on social media, and in photoshoots.
