There’s a knock at the door, a ping from a delivery app, something taking up your entire mailbox. It’s a PR box! You knew this was coming, but it’s still an exciting sight. But if it’s your first PR box, it can be a little overwhelming, too. We’ve sent PR boxes to dozens of creators, so we know a thing or two about what the brand is hoping for. In today’s article, we’ll give you a step-by-step process of what to do when you get a PR box.
And, trust us, it’s not nearly as overwhelming as you might think.
Scream (A Little) 😱
A PR box is worth celebrating! Spend a minute or two celebrating that you got one. A brand likes you enough to want to send you free products; you’ve got to be doing something right as a creator. Whether you want to FaceTime your content creator bestie or pop a bottle of champagne.
Check Your Email or DMs ✉️
Usually, a PR box comes with some kind of communication from the brand. Check your DMs and your email for something from the brand. They may have specific requests about the PR box, so it’s good to check before you open it.
For example, the brand might want you to film a real-time unboxing. If you open the box and start to set up a photoshoot for the products, it’ll be hard to go back and fake an unboxing. Once you’re sure there’s nothing from the brand about what they want from you, then you can move to the next step.
Let the Brand Know 📫
Tell the brand (or your contact) that you received the PR box. Just a quick thank you is enough! Here’s a sample message, in case you’re a little tongue-tied.
Dear [Contact’s Name],
I just received the PR box! Thank you again for sending me one. I’m so excited to dive in and see what all you’ve sent me. I can’t wait to learn more about [Brand Name]’s products and share them with my community. If you need anything, please let me know.
Thank you again!
Sending a follow-up not only shows that you’re a prompt and reliable creator, but it also makes you look grateful and organized. All of these will help you look like the type of creator this company will want to work with again.
Film an Unboxing 📸
If you aren’t a lifestyle creator, you’d be surprised how much people love an unboxing video. Take a little time to film you opening the PR box. You can make it a vlog, where you unpack it in real-time, or take some aesthetic pics and videos of the products themselves. If you’ve never filmed an unboxing, look up some and find a style you like.
We’ve got a few examples! There’s this one, full of clips that quickly show off the products, and this editing, yapping version. Start with one of these classics until you find your style. Then you can experiment with more versions like this.
Film with the Products 💄
Once you’ve documented the unboxing, make some content with or about the products themselves. It’s easiest to show off or talk about how they work and why your audience would want them. A makeup creator being gifted some skincare can talk about how it helps their skin. A chef or cooking creator will want to whip up a recipe or two using what they’ve been sent. Think of how these products will serve your audience and why they’d want to run and buy them. Or, consider how they can be worked into your regular content!
If the brand sent along any specific requests or requirements for your content, be sure to prioritize them.
Post and Tag the Brand 📌
Once you’ve filmed and edited your content, post it and tag the brand. If they’ve asked you to post by a certain date or use certain hashtags, be sure to include them. This is one of the easiest steps in the whole process, and won’t require more work than your usual content.
Share with the Brand 🧡
The brand will likely ask you to send a link to any content you post with the box and products. Even if they don’t take the time to email them the link directly. This ensures they see what you’re posting and shows that you communicate well. Plus, if you share additional content with them, they might post it on their official channels!
Scream (A Little More) 🍾
Once you’ve finished your PR box to-do list and have everything squared away, it’s time to celebrate again! You’ve got a PR box full of free or monetarily free products for you to enjoy. Not every creator receives a PR box, and it’s proof that you’re doing something right. Like getting ten thousand followers or your first brand deal, it’s an exciting milestone in your content creation journey.
For more tips on landing your first brand deal, check out this article!
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