How to Become a Brand Ambassador
Use your social media skills, personality, and passion to sell products.
Are you the first person your friends call when they need a gift idea or recommendation for a restaurant? When you find a product you love, do you instantly sing its praises on social media? If so, you’re already on the path to learning how to become a brand ambassador.
This fun career is a serious money-maker for top companies, including Red Bull, Lululemon, and Harley-Davidson. On average, brand ambassadors generate twice as many sales as paid advertising for the same product.
Are you ready to explore how to become a brand ambassador? Read about what it takes and how to get started.
What Is a Brand Ambassador?
The central role of a brand ambassador is to increase brand awareness among potential customers. You are a spokesperson who interacts directly with the public. Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing on steroids. You might be promoting a product, a brand, or a company.
Other names and niches for brand ambassadors include:
- Employee Ambassador: A current employee who also promotes their company’s products.
- Brand Advocate: Someone who promotes a brand or product line.
- Event Ambassador: A coordinator or host of an event that features a product.
- Field Authority Expert: An existing expert in a field who recommends a product.
- Student Ambassador: A high school or college student who promotes a product to other students on campus.
What Does a Brand Ambassador Do?
The first thing you will do to learn how to become a brand ambassador is to become an expert on the product, brand, or company you’re representing. For a tangible product like shampoo, you’ll use it exclusively and track how it improves your hair.
Then you’ll find and connect with consumers, encouraging them to use the product. This is where it gets fun. You’ll spend your days talking about how much you love the product and how it can help others. Some companies will direct how you do this. Others will leave it up to your imagination.
Online Brand Ambassadors
Many brand ambassadors use their online presence to promote products. This is a vital part of the job since 74% of consumers rely on social media when making a purchasing decision. You might:
- post images, videos, and messages on social media platforms.
- respond to questions on product review pages.
- maintain and write a blog or articles.
- conduct webinars.
To succeed as an online brand ambassador, it’s essential to have an established social media presence. It’s also a big plus when you already align with a product category. For example, if you’re a chef, you could be a great brand ambassador for a cookware line.
In-Person Brand Ambassadors
Depending on the job, you might also do in-person activities like:
- host or participate in events to demonstrate the product.
- give out free samples and promotional items like pens or T-shirts.
- network in the community with consumers or other businesses.
What Skills Do Brand Ambassadors Need?
Character traits companies look for in brand ambassadors include:
- a friendly, positive attitude.
- the ability to connect with people.
- comfort with public speaking.
- above-average written and spoken communication skills.
- love of researching and learning about new things.
- the ability to work independently.
- time-management skills.
How to Become a Brand Ambassador
Depending on the product and audience, you can be a brand ambassador while still in school. Some companies require an undergraduate degree. Classes to develop your promotional skills include marketing, writing, advertising, and general business. Companies also provide training on how to become a brand ambassador for their specific product and industry.
Here are additional steps you can take to be qualified as a brand ambassador:
1. Find Your Passion
If you don’t already have a favourite niche like cosmetics, sports equipment, travel, etc., find one! Research to learn about the industry and try products. Talk to people you know to find out what they like and why. Once you’ve chosen your area, immerse yourself in it and become an expert. If you’re responding to a job ad for a particular brand or product, research and talk about it when applying and interviewing.
2. Develop a Strong Social Media Presence
To work as a brand ambassador with online responsibilities, you’ll need to have a strong persona on TikTok, Instagram, and other major social media platforms. Some companies will specify which platforms and how many followers you must already have; others will give you time to develop your presence.
3. Hone Your Writing Skills
If you haven’t done a lot of writing, take a class at a community college or online. Check to see if your local library or community centre has a writer’s workshop group. Find online tools like Grammarly to help you proofread your writing and check your grammar.
4. Start a Blog
If you don’t already have a blog, start one so you can write about the products you’ll represent. Find an easy-to-use platform like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace and learn to use its features.
5. Join Groups for Networking Opportunities
You can find local networking opportunities in your city’s chamber of commerce, clubs, or classes that pertain to your expertise. You’ll also find online groups like Reddit that cater to specialty topics and national associations that will allow you to find and talk to people who are likely to be interested in your product.
How Much Does a Brand Ambassador Make?
Monster research shows the median salary for a brand ambassador is $41,600, with a pay range from $33,408 to $51,072. Some companies also pay a commission on sales and supply ambassadors with free products. To see what you might earn in your location, take a look at Monster’s Salary Tools.
How to Find Brand Ambassador Jobs
Do you have a product or brand you would love to represent? You’ll need a compelling cover letter and resume to apply.
Using this basic resume format, write a professional summary that includes your interest in the company’s product, related experience, and achievements in a concise paragraph. Be sure to list all of your social media accounts along with your follower and engagement metrics if the job requires online promotion. You can model your cover letter after this one to convey your passion for the company’s brand or product in the job posting.
Would you like to see what brand ambassador jobs are available that would be a good fit? Start your search on Monster. You may find brand ambassador jobs that are remote and promote products nationwide. Or, you can look for jobs where brand ambassadors are in higher demand:
Monster Is Your Biggest Fan for Brand Ambassador Jobs
If learning how to become a brand ambassador has sparked your interest, search and apply for brand ambassador jobs on Monster. To get the most exposure, complete your Monster profile. When you do, your resume will be seen by recruiters and employers looking for someone like you to represent their products. When you sign up, Monster will also continue to feed your interest and your inbox with career advice about how to be a brand ambassador once you’ve landed the job, along with job postings that match your preferences.