{"id":186089,"date":"2025-03-10T09:08:32","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T14:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/?p=186089"},"modified":"2025-03-10T09:43:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T14:43:17","slug":"sponsoring-creators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/sponsoring-creators\/","title":{"rendered":"We Spent &gt;$1 Million Sponsoring Creators. Here\u2019s What We Learned About B2B Influencer Marketing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"intro-txt\"><!-- notionvc: 86c6e9ba-772c-4f3a-9618-301832ba5260 -->We\u2019ve spent over one million dollars and sponsored hundreds of creators, educators, and influencers, even including big names like Linus Tech Tips and Lenny Rachitsky:<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-186113\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-03-03_16-24-47.jpg\" alt width=\"1224\" height=\"1170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-03-03_16-24-47.jpg 1224w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-03-03_16-24-47-445x425.jpg 445w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-03-03_16-24-47-768x734.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1224px) 100vw, 1224px\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>All of this work is done by our tireless Partnerships Manager, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/di_ry\">Igor Gorbenko<\/a>. I spoke to him to extract everything he learned about partnerships.<\/p>\n<div class=\"intro-tok\" id=\"intro_tok\" style=\"display:none;\"><div class=\"intro-title\">Contents<\/div><a href=\"#\" class=\"expand-dots\"><span><\/span><span><\/span><span><\/span><\/a><\/div><!-- notionvc: 17747397-082f-4441-a9b7-6d5109335c42 -->\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"1. Focus on low-friction offers for creators\u2019 audiences\" data-section=\"low-friction-offers\"><!-- notionvc: bd4bd0d9-3e6d-421e-a9cc-d6df808d7354 -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186089-_rta9w9kc8qtm\"><\/a>1. Focus on low-friction offers for creators\u2019 audiences<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><!-- notionvc: de00c741-29a6-46b4-b57a-c5770643d2ce -->\n\n\n\n<p>The first time we <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/podcast-advertising\/\">sponsored podcasts<\/a>, we spent $14,000 on five podcast campaigns. Like any good data-driven marketer, we set up landing pages and tracked visits and signups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PKKtHp19GXk\">results were horrendous<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"994\" class=\"wp-image-186091\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/results-from-our-first-podcast-advertising-campaig.jpg\" alt=\"Results from our first podcast advertising campaign\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/results-from-our-first-podcast-advertising-campaig.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/results-from-our-first-podcast-advertising-campaig-680x330.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/results-from-our-first-podcast-advertising-campaig-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/results-from-our-first-podcast-advertising-campaig-1536x746.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The truth is that nobody\u2019s rushing to buy your product just because they heard about it on a podcast. And one that costs thousands of dollars to boot. So, sponsoring creators and expecting immediate impact is a fool\u2019s errand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But spending that much money and banking on <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/increase-brand-awareness\/\">improved brand awareness<\/a> is a game not many companies are willing to play. We can\u2019t throw money at creators and hope that one day Ahrefs will become a household name. Let alone one with a name that gets the SEO world debating <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/how-to-pronounce-ahrefs\/\">how it\u2019s supposed to be pronounced<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, even for a company <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/timsoulo\/status\/1374242996531597315\">notorious<\/a> for not measuring <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/content-marketing-roi\/\">marketing ROI<\/a>, we wanted to see some results. That\u2019s why Igor settled on a sweet spot for all our creator campaigns: promoting <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/webmaster-tools\">Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (AWT)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AWT is a free version of Ahrefs that allows you to audit your website for technical SEO issues, shows who\u2019s linking to you, and what keywords you\u2019re ranking for. While not everyone needs a complex tool like Ahrefs, anyone with a website can instantly benefit from&nbsp;AWT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It has everything we\u2019re looking for in a campaign: it promotes our brand, showcases our product, and is free to sign up, making it an attractive offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best part about doing this is that it also expands our audience. Since we\u2019re now targeting website owners, we don\u2019t have to narrow ourselves to SEOs. We can partner with any creators who have audiences that work with websites: content marketers, affiliate marketers, entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and&nbsp;more.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"2. Your brand matters a lot in influencer marketing\" data-section=\"your-brand-matters\"><!-- notionvc: ffcac7b8-e845-4e29-a09c-bb9445ea4ec7 -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186089-_k1zql54d6he5\"><\/a>2. Your brand matters a lot in influencer marketing<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><!-- notionvc: 6939500f-de27-4375-8a3a-28d0a39e3ad5 -->\n\n\n\n<p>Just because you\u2019re willing to spend some money doesn\u2019t mean people are rushing for you to sponsor them. Creators and influencers have audiences, so they care about their reputations. They don\u2019t want to be seen promoting a shady product or be associated with a company of disrepute because that also hurts their&nbsp;brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, when Igor first approached Linus Media Group (i.e. Linus Tech Tips) to work with them, they asked him several questions about any controversies or negative opinions surrounding our brand. Like many others, they wanted to ensure they were associating with someone reputable. Fortunately, we were&nbsp;clear.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p><div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-nnhu2zvhb10\" style=\"max-width:900px;\" class=\"arve\">\n\t<div class=\"arve-inner\">\n\t\t<div style=\"aspect-ratio:500\/281\" class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:56.200000%\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer 'none';autoplay 'none';bluetooth 'none';browsing-topics 'none';camera 'none';clipboard-read 'none';clipboard-write;display-capture 'none';encrypted-media 'none';gamepad 'none';geolocation 'none';gyroscope 'none';hid 'none';identity-credentials-get 'none';idle-detection 'none';keyboard-map 'none';local-fonts;magnetometer 'none';microphone 'none';midi 'none';otp-credentials 'none';payment 'none';picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create 'none';publickey-credentials-get 'none';screen-wake-lock 'none';serial 'none';summarizer 'none';sync-xhr;usb 'none';web-share;window-management 'none';xr-spatial-tracking 'none';\" allowfullscreen class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-nnhu2zvhb10\" data-lenis-prevent data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/NnhU2ZvHb10?start=63&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"505.8\" loading=\"lazy\" name referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/NnhU2ZvHb10?start=63&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" title width=\"900\"><\/iframe>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how you can prepare for creator vetting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Document your brand\u2019s positive reputation points<\/strong> \u2014 Gather testimonials, reviews, case studies, and press mentions that highlight your credibility. You can also point to review sites like G2, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Address potential controversies head-on<\/strong> \u2014 Be prepared to discuss any historical issues transparently and explain how you\u2019ve resolved them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prepare specific talking points<\/strong> about your brand values, community involvement, and product quality that creators can feel confident sharing with their audience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A strong brand perception makes it easier to work with creators. Since we\u2019ve spent years building our brand\u2014making great content, listening to our community, and building a must-use product\u2014we don\u2019t face many challenges in finding influencers willing to work with and promote us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is not always the case for others. For example, a company like Wix may find it difficult to get influencers who\u2019ve built their entire career on WordPress to promote them. Or a new company might find that influencer outreach is harder because there aren\u2019t many people who can speak with authority about their product.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"3. Don\u2019t blindly trust all the numbers you see\" data-section=\"dont-trust-all-numbers\"><!-- notionvc: 4bdd6496-4997-458f-8f04-d470a290f308 -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186089-_vge1ssgh7ya0\"><\/a>3. Don\u2019t blindly trust all the numbers you&nbsp;see<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><!-- notionvc: e09e8b23-9d21-4a6a-8ea4-9d2f103645bf -->\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers are rare, but bloated numbers are common. For example, if a YouTube video has 500,000 views but only 5 comments, did people actually watch it? Or even worse, did <strong>actual <\/strong>people watch&nbsp;it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why you should always be evaluating the creators you work&nbsp;with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of the work comes down to sitting in a chair and hand-vetting each creator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what Igor looks out for YouTube and LinkedIn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Subscriber\/follower count and number of views\/engagement on their content<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How many comments there are and whether they\u2019re from real people, bots, or AI-generated<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consistency in uploading content as the number of views may be inconsistent if content is only published a few times a&nbsp;year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For websites and blogs, he uses Ahrefs. He enters their domain into <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/site-explorer\">Site Explorer<\/a> and look at their estimated search traffic, their history, and the keywords they rank&nbsp;for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1776\" height=\"756\" class=\"wp-image-186092\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/estimated-search-traffic-for-ahrefs.png\" alt=\"Estimated search traffic for Ahrefs\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/estimated-search-traffic-for-ahrefs.png 1776w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/estimated-search-traffic-for-ahrefs-680x289.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/estimated-search-traffic-for-ahrefs-768x327.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/estimated-search-traffic-for-ahrefs-1536x654.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1776px) 100vw, 1776px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"982\" height=\"764\" class=\"wp-image-186093\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/keywords-ahrefs-rank-for.png\" alt=\"Keywords Ahrefs rank for\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/keywords-ahrefs-rank-for.png 982w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/keywords-ahrefs-rank-for-546x425.png 546w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/keywords-ahrefs-rank-for-768x598.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 982px) 100vw, 982px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>You can also simply reach out to the creator and&nbsp;ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, there is an element of trusting your gut. No matter how hard you vet, sometimes all you have to do is to run a smaller-scale campaign with the creator and check the results.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"4. Prices are often inconsistent and discrepant\" data-section=\"prices-are-inconsistent\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Prices are often inconsistent and discrepant<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><a id=\"post-186089-_mzhw7qea7r0h\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>You should expect a lot of price variability in the influencer world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of a post can depend entirely on how a content creator values their time and how much effort it\u2019ll take. An influencer with a massive following may only ask for $500 for a post, while someone else with a much smaller following might ask for $2,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some may even ask you to help them decide on the price, especially if it\u2019s the first time they\u2019re getting sponsored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"888\" class=\"wp-image-186094\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/we-were-the-first-sponsor-for-a-few-creators-we-sp.png\" alt=\"We were the first sponsor for a few creators we sponsored\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/we-were-the-first-sponsor-for-a-few-creators-we-sp.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/we-were-the-first-sponsor-for-a-few-creators-we-sp-368x425.png 368w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>However, following benchmark guides based on the number of followers or engagement rates doesn\u2019t work. These benchmarks are typically geared towards B2C products and don\u2019t work for&nbsp;B2B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, a micro-influencer in the B2B space might only have 2,000 followers, but those followers could all be CEOs, making that influencer\u2019s audience <em>far more <\/em>valuable to us than someone else with 500K in a general field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing\u2019s for sure: You\u2019ll never know the final price until everything is discussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, from Igor\u2019s experience, he\u2019s seen three main price ranges for influencers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>$500 - $2,000<\/strong> \u2014 This is the baseline for influencer posts. It\u2019s often a reasonable investment for a LinkedIn post or similar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>$3,000 - $9,000<\/strong> \u2014 This is a tricky area. The results often don\u2019t justify the cost and social media algorithms make it uncertain whether the post will reach a significant audience. You may end up paying double the price of the baseline but with only a slight improvement in reach (sometimes not even an improvement.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>$10,000 and above<\/strong> \u2014 Posts in this range tend to provide better returns, especially when dealing with large influencers with a track record of high engagement and fixed audience numbers (e.g., YouTube videos, newsletters)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Igor tends to skip middle-tier pricing because you\u2019re simply paying for marginal returns. If you have the budget, it\u2019s better to go big and choose the high-value influencers who provide a clear return on investment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"5. Always negotiate\" data-section=\"always-negotiate\"><!-- notionvc: 18a77c56-ae5e-4040-a1e0-05a3e051b1c5 -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186089-_3mrcc64wcp84\"><\/a>5. Always negotiate<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><!-- notionvc: 281d33a5-790b-4af4-abd0-43372f0e6369 -->\n\n\n\n<p>Since the quoted prices are never final, you should <em>always negotiate. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is uncomfortable. Nobody likes to ask for a discount. For Igor, it\u2019s one of the most challenging parts of his work, but he forces himself to negotiate all the&nbsp;time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Igor doesn\u2019t ask for discounts without stating his offer upfront. So, rather than asking, \u201cCan we get a discount?\u201d he\u2019ll say something like, \u201cCan we bring the price down to $ XXX so it fits my budget?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you leave it up to the creator, you may end up with just a 5% discount. From there, you\u2019ll have to either accept it or (sheepishly) ask for a bigger one. The latter is not a good look if you\u2019re representing a company, especially one that\u2019s well-known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As long as your request is reasonable, most people are flexible and will agree. Especially if you\u2019ve booked more than one placement or are interested in a long-term deal. They may also offer additional placements to justify the reduced price. If you\u2019ve worked with them for a while, they may offer discounts to keep you on as a sponsor too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Asking directly for a discount isn\u2019t the only way to negotiate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of your influencer campaigns will be custom and involve cross-promotion or multi-platform efforts. For example, when we worked with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ashwinnkrishnaswamy\">Ashwinn Krishnaswamy<\/a>, he posted across four platforms: Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1184\" height=\"350\" class=\"wp-image-186095\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/an-example-of-a-cross-platform-campaign-we-worked.png\" alt=\"An example of a cross-platform campaign we worked with\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/an-example-of-a-cross-platform-campaign-we-worked.png 1184w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/an-example-of-a-cross-platform-campaign-we-worked-680x201.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/an-example-of-a-cross-platform-campaign-we-worked-768x227.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1184px) 100vw, 1184px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Since they\u2019re custom, you can always adjust the deliverables to fit your budget. Simply ask them if they can do more for the same amount you\u2019re paying, e.g., adding an extra ad placement, shoutout on social media, etc.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"6. ChatGPT is a surprisingly useful tool to find potential partners\" data-section=\"chatgpt-influencer-research\"><!-- notionvc: c8dfeee9-c4bf-4a9f-b501-9e9b83edc4cf -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186089-_2b3h16lc7rat\"><\/a>6. ChatGPT is a surprisingly useful tool to find potential partners<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><!-- notionvc: 54d7b0ec-b150-4a5a-bac2-ed772ff79158 -->\n\n\n\n<p>Igor is lucky that he\u2019s a marketer marketing to marketers. So, since he follows industry leaders and interacts with content related to marketing, he naturally comes across influencers and creators. Finding potential partners is a piece of&nbsp;cake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But that\u2019s not to say he hasn\u2019t tried any influencer discovery tools. But the one that has surprised him the most is ChatGPT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, he wanted to follow the trail of Shopify\u2019s sponsorships. So he asked ChatGPT for YouTube channels that had them as sponsors using a relatively simple prompt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShare some Youtube channels that had Shopify as sponsor, I need channels related to marketing, business, entrepreneurship, education and&nbsp;etc.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1408\" height=\"2026\" class=\"wp-image-186096\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-youtube-channels-to-sponsor.jpg\" alt=\"Using ChatGPT to find YouTube channels to sponsor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-youtube-channels-to-sponsor.jpg 1408w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-youtube-channels-to-sponsor-295x425.jpg 295w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-youtube-channels-to-sponsor-768x1105.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-youtube-channels-to-sponsor-1067x1536.jpg 1067w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1408px) 100vw, 1408px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Another one he tried was asking ChatGPT for LinkedIn influencers. As he says, \u201cVery few discovery tools have LinkedIn and those that have usually find the same people over and over, like GaryVee.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s his simple prompt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"704\" height=\"2048\" class=\"wp-image-186097\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-linkedin-influencers-to-spon.png\" alt=\"Using ChatGPT to find LinkedIn influencers to sponsor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-linkedin-influencers-to-spon.png 704w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-linkedin-influencers-to-spon-146x425.png 146w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-linkedin-influencers-to-spon-528x1536.png 528w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>It found even more when Igor asked ChatGPT to narrow it down to only people with 20,000 to 80,000 followers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1257\" height=\"2048\" class=\"wp-image-186098\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-linkedin-influencers-to-spon-1.png\" alt=\"Using ChatGPT to find LinkedIn influencers to sponsor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-linkedin-influencers-to-spon-1.png 1257w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-linkedin-influencers-to-spon-1-261x425.png 261w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-linkedin-influencers-to-spon-1-768x1251.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-chatgpt-to-find-linkedin-influencers-to-spon-1-943x1536.png 943w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1257px) 100vw, 1257px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Pretty nifty.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"7. Creators are humans too. Make your outreach personal\" data-section=\"personal-outreach\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186089-_q9umuh377ed0\"><\/a>7. Creators are humans too. Make your outreach personal<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><!-- notionvc: 5a21d6d9-e1e7-4a34-aa21-677fa1d03d30 -->\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve been banging on the <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/outreach\/\">personal outreach drums<\/a> for <strong>years<\/strong>. Still, even looking at my inbox, I\u2019ve been getting irrelevant emails with fake personalization that\u2019s been formatted for&nbsp;scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Igor has never used automated outreach tools or lists for compiling potential partners. He only uses a personalized approach. It makes sense after all; in partnerships, the scale is smaller, open rates are higher, and responses are typically positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You just need to find a way to contact the right person and make sure they see your message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After working with so many partners, Igor has some outreach tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>First<\/strong>, keep it short. Like really short. Just send a brief introduction followed by explaining what you want. Your goal is to start the conversation. You can discuss everything else later&nbsp;on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1160\" height=\"472\" class=\"wp-image-186099\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/igors-dm-outreach-to-a-creator.png\" alt=\"Igor's DM outreach to a creator\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/igors-dm-outreach-to-a-creator.png 1160w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/igors-dm-outreach-to-a-creator-680x277.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/igors-dm-outreach-to-a-creator-768x312.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1160px) 100vw, 1160px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Second<\/strong>, always start with the best communication channel. Igor\u2019s first choice is email. Yo can <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/find-email-address\/\">find their personal email address<\/a> or find one that\u2019s dedicated to partnerships\/sponsorships, typically found in the \u201cContact Us\u201d section of a website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His second choice is LinkedIn, as they allow you to add a short note to the connection request. There is a 300 character limit and the preview doesn\u2019t display the full message. So, make sure your intention is clear from the&nbsp;start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1416\" height=\"332\" class=\"wp-image-186100\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-connection-request-on-linkedin.png\" alt=\"A connection request on LinkedIn\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-connection-request-on-linkedin.png 1416w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-connection-request-on-linkedin-680x159.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-connection-request-on-linkedin-768x180.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1416px) 100vw, 1416px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>To keep it short, you can skip your introduction. Your LinkedIn profile should make it clear who you are anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>X and Facebook DMs are less ideal, as they send your messages to the \u201crequests\u201d folder. These may sit anywhere a day to a year (or never), depending on how often it gets checked. Comparing between the two, X is still better as you can tag the person you want to contact in a&nbsp;post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Website forms are the least efficient. Response rates are low and it takes ages to get a reply. It\u2019s also difficult to track as most websites do not send a confirmation email. Igor only uses them as a last resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Finally<\/strong>, ask for introductions. Creators often know each other. So, the more partnerships you have, the higher your chances of knowing someone who can make the necessary introduction. Look for mutual friends or followers, and you should be able to find a person you can ask for an&nbsp;intro.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"8. Reports are not just for counting clicks\" data-section=\"reporting\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186089-_32xx2lqmsntm\"><\/a>8. Reports are not just for counting clicks<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><!-- notionvc: 70034e20-ce56-4aa0-b540-c6a653abf72c -->\n\n\n\n<p>Some partners have a process for reporting and will send you updates on a schedule. Others will need a few reminders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally speaking, the smaller the budget, the fewer the reports you\u2019ll be receiving. This is why Igor recommends discussing this early on with every partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1155\" class=\"wp-image-186101\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/our-reporting-request-to-creators.jpg\" alt=\"Our reporting request to creators\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/our-reporting-request-to-creators.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/our-reporting-request-to-creators-680x383.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/our-reporting-request-to-creators-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/our-reporting-request-to-creators-1536x866.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Igor likes LinkedIn campaigns because LinkedIn posts provide immediate, trackable results: views, reactions, comments, etc. Likewise for YouTube, where metrics like views and engagement are clear. This allows us to gauge campaign performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For newsletters, we are solely reliant on the data our partners provide. While we can double check clicks with analytics, it\u2019s not foolproof. So it\u2019s an area where we don\u2019t have as much visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Igor is still unsure about podcast sponsorship. The main reason is simply due to our name and its pronunciation. Podcasts often rely on brand awareness. Since Ahrefs is not a widely recognized name, and the pronunciation differs from person to person, it can be difficult for listeners to remember or search for&nbsp;it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only exception is if it\u2019s a video podcast, such as the WAN Show on YouTube where listeners\/viewers can see our logo and associate the name visually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, the reports sent by our partners help us evaluate the campaigns we\u2019re running. But creating these reports also lets our partners check if the campaign went how they planned. There were several occasions where we got free placements because our partners were dissatisfied and wanted to deliver better results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Analyzing these reports also makes it easier to evaluate future partnerships. They help you compare prices and understand what results you can expect from a certain type of campaign.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"9. Decision fatigue is real\" data-section=\"decision-fatigue\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186089-_2pdhwqre6ki5\"><\/a>9. Decision fatigue is&nbsp;real<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><!-- notionvc: 15a59a5e-1e1c-43d5-9de8-ebf18adf8b2c -->\n\n\n\n<p>The constant responsibility of making decisions is the most exhausting part of sponsoring creators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Igor\u2019s own&nbsp;words:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"small\"><div class=\"quote-content\"><!-- notionvc: b7762ead-a2c2-46b7-a5b8-6d687c0911df -->\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith a simple sponsored LinkedIn post, say it\u2019s someone we worked with before and all I have to do is to ask if we can do another sponsored post about <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/web-analytics\">Web Analytics<\/a>. The issue here is when I do that, I take the money out of my monthly budget and now I\u2019m responsible for the money I\u2019ve spent. I have to make sure they deliver. And if their post fails, I\u2019ve basically sent the money down the drain. If the posts works, then well, that\u2019s an expected result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now change that one person we worked with before to 20 people per month whom I\u2019ve just met and their offers to run campaigns for $2K to $20K. I have to decide which offers I like and want to proceed with. Every month, I\u2019m sending $100K into a black box and all I can do is hope it works out. A lot of things are out of my control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My week starts with several offers like that sitting on my desk. I have to think if I want to proceed or if I have to go tell them it\u2019s not a good fit. Both are difficult decisions to make. If I turn down everything I\u2019m hesitant about, then I will have only three campaigns running per month. That\u2019s not much better than occasionally having an underperforming campaign.\u201d<\/p><\/div><div class=\"quote-info clearfix\"><div class=\"quote-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Igor Gorbenko\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/igor-gorbenko.jpg\"><\/div><div class=\"extra-box\"><span class=\"quote-author\">Igor Gorbenko,<\/span> <span class=\"quote-author-job\">Head of Partnerships, <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ahrefs<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Igor\u2019s solution for this fatigue was a mental one. Recognizing and accepting that it was part of the role made the job easier. The other step he took was to change his thinking from \u201cHow do I respond to this email?\u201d to \u201cWhat decision do I make&nbsp;here?\u201d<!-- notionvc: bb43a0f0-3607-4d1e-b11c-d99e459b3b79 --><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While nothing changed (in practical terms), it gave him more agency and made him feel more in charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186089-_cb906r9co212\"><\/a>Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like most budgets, our partnerships budget is limited. So, we want to get the most out of&nbsp;it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why we constantly try different things and change our approach several times a year. We\u2019ve tried different price ranges, different mediums, and different messaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But we\u2019ve only touched the tip of the iceberg. There\u2019s still a lot to explore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do long-term partnerships perform better than one-off campaigns?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is a pre-roll ad in a video about AI tools better than a dedicated video explaining how Ahrefs works?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Will people in France engage with swag giveaways more than people in Germany?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The answer to these questions lies in trying different things and checking the results. No matter whether your experiments fail or succeed, you\u2019re still improving your brand awareness as long as you manage to reach your target audience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>All of this work is done by our tireless Partnerships Manager, Igor Gorbenko. I spoke to him to extract everything he learned about partnerships. The first time we sponsored podcasts, we spent $14,000 on five podcast campaigns. Like any good<span class=\"ellipsis\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\">Read more \u203a<\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":146,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wp_typography_post_enhancements_disabled":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[390],"tags":[],"coauthors":[339],"class_list":["post-186089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-marketing","odd"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>We Spent &gt;$1 Million Sponsoring Creators. Here\u2019s What We Learned About B2B Influencer Marketing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"9 real-world lessons from investing so much money in influencer marketing.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/sponsoring-creators\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"We Spent &gt;$1 Million Sponsoring Creators. 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