Bridge Street Ambassador 2023 - Shalae Morgan

Photography: Myles Morgan of Moose Tracks Photography

Hey guys!

It's your girl, Shalae, and I'm so excited to announce I'm the 2023 brand ambassador for Bridge Street Town Centre! Bridge Street town center is a creative hub of style and taste in North Alabama! This is the place for food, fashion, events, movies, and inspiration.

I don't think you understand my excitement! I've said this on my YouTube channel, Huntsville (Rocket City) is taking off! We have the Love & Marriage Huntsville show; we were voted the best place to live in 2022; if you don't know about us….honey, soon you can forget us!

Shalae, what is a brand ambassador?

Ambassadors are a select group of super-fans who share their experiences on social media and in real life. For example, if you're shopping at Sephora, you would capture your real experience through the products you're purchasing….

As a brand ambassador, you're invited to signature events and sneak peeks, such as grand openings and special meetups. You get insider access and products. Usually, you're compensated with a gift card, cash, and/or merch!

So, how do you become a brand ambassador?

Most times, brands already have someone in mind they want to work with, but pitching yourself doesn't hurt, either. In March, I noticed Bridge Street started following me on Instagram, and we conversed through direct messages about their upcoming ambassador program. If you want to be an ambassador, target the brands you use daily…if you're using them, "why not get paid to endorse them?"

On YouTube, I get paid through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and AdSense revenue, but I'm not a brand ambassador for these companies.

Photography: Myles Morgan of Moose Tracks Photography

How much do you get paid as an ambassador?

I am getting compensated for my current role, which varies from company to company. However, many times cash payments are optional.

I always look at opportunities as such: will it service my bottom line or my image? If the answer is yes to either, I move forward.

Figure out what exactly you want from an ambassadorship. Do you want free clothes? Or to be paid to promote their items. Get a clear 'ask' together, i.e., what you want from a brand, and then determine what you are willing to give in exchange.

Do you have to have a large following?

No, while I have a large following on YouTube, I'm under 10K on Instagram. And that's because I've dedicated most of my focus to YouTube. After all, that's who pays the bills. Instagram isn't paying for reels, and sponsored content is scarce.

My primary focus has always been YouTube because YouTubers can earn 10x as much with a video as Instagram influencers. It's a known fact YouTube pays THEE most revenue to creators, so if you're interested in starting a channel, grab my eBook, where I teach you how to build your brand!

Remember that a brand looks first at your social media image quality, style, and consistency. Everything from your selection of music to captions and clothing choices should be positive and upbeat. Engagement and interactions also play a role, such as comments, male vs. female followers, and what the comments are about….Oh, and your stories, a brand is looking at it all.

Don't be on IG with a dirty background and profanity music in your stories. If you like a specific song, don't select the explicit songs. At the end of the day, brands are about business; if they reshare your story, it can generate sales. But, you cannot reshare a story with cursing in the music or dim-lit areas.

That said, showcase everything because you never know what a brand is looking for….one of the main reasons I was selected for this campaign was my dedication to fitness.

Last year, I lost 40 pounds, and I'm dedicated to keeping it off. Bridge Street noticed my partnership with a local fitness company and fitness-related posts. They sought a fashion/fitness-related ambassador for their fitness pop-ups and upcoming stores. So, if you're a vegan mom of three, showcase it.

If you're a teacher by day and plus size fashion enthusiast by night….tell it because you never know what a company is looking for!

Here are a few other tips that can help as well….

Be pleasant.

Yes, it should be the only word in your vocabulary. Of course, don't be a pushover, but understand that you're working for a company. They have rules; most times, your words, work, and creative output have to be reviewed for compliance and legal issues. At the end of the day, you are contractually obligated to go with the program.

Realize: there are MILLIONS of digital influencers out there. You're unique, but you're not that special. Brands can always find someone else! But, if you prove that you are a good collaborator and deliver, they will be more inclined to choose you.

Go over and above.

When you have these opportunities, show OUT! If they don't ask you to include social media, do it anyway! Provide video, editorial posts, whatever you can. Sometimes you must show what you will do for free before getting paid.

Get in the habit of talking to your clients over the phone. Even in this world of e-mails and texts, pick up the phone. Stay engaged, and if something isn't going quite right initially, fix it. Your goal is not to have a 'one-off with a brand but to continue to work for them year after year.