How to become a brand ambassador and work with top SA brands
Social media influencers and enthusiasts who want to know how to become a brand ambassador will be pleased to know that the first step is to have a notable following. Brand ambassador hopefuls must also possess the right soft skills and a genuine passion for the brand to effectively engage audiences and make an impact.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- For those who do not know, the standard brand ambassador meaning is an individual who publicly increases awareness of a brand by representing the organisation and its products and/or services.
- A 'normal' person can become a brand ambassador, as many have become brand advocates from being loyal customers of the product or service beforehand.
- The average brand ambassador salary in South Africa is stated by Indeed as R6,840, but can range anywhere from R4,000 to R10,000 monthly for part-time jobs.
- Some local and international brands that are frequently looking for brand advocates include big beauty companies such as Mr Price and L'Oréal, and beverage companies such as Red Bull.
How to become a brand ambassador in South Africa
The first step is to grow an online presence. You can do so by considering and implementing the following:
- Frequently engage with your online audience: Stay on top of posting engaging content on multiple social media apps to become a standout figure online.
- Display your passion: Identify companies, goods or services that you have a genuine passion for, as audiences are more inclined to support a brand influencer that is authentic.
- Reach out to brands: Find companies that align with your beliefs, views or preferences and express your interest to help support and grow their brand.
- Utilise brand ambassador platforms: There are platforms such as Isilumko Activate and Brand Advisor, which help content creators and influencers connect with brands.
Those who want to know how to become a brand ambassador with little to no experience can follow these steps, which are also applicable to someone who already has some experience.
Source: UGC
A brand ambassador is a figure who promotes a brand, goods or services
The company advocate's main job is to grow the brand's awareness online, showcasing its value and enticing others to try it out through an online form of word of mouth. Specifically, a brand ambassador's job description includes:
- Brand representation: The individual becomes 'the face' of the organisation online, and their views are directly tied to the company.
- Online contact creation: The ambassador is expected to frequently promote the product or service on all forms of social media, including blogs, articles and products.
- Brand-related activities: Brand advocates may be expected to attend events, including product launches, in-store demonstrations, or trade shows to publicly show support for the brand.
- Engagement and relationship-building: A large part of the job is to interact with current or potential customers and build a rapport to strengthen trust in the brand.
- Market research: Monitoring the competition's activity and audience insights keeps you on top of ever-changing media trends, helping the brand to stay socially relevant.
Brand ambassadors are given incentives or money for their promotion of the brand or service
The job offers payment for an individual's services, but it may not always take on traditional payment. If a brand ambassador is not directly paid with cash, they may be given free products or services. They may also be given commission, and payment methods vary from brand to brand, with factors such as experience and job description impacting the salary or incentives.
Source: UGC
Frequently asked questions
Now that you have an idea what to expect regarding the process of becoming a company's advocate, there are other factors to consider, including the soft skills necessary and the salary expectancy. Being a confident and charismatic person is a must, and it can pay anywhere between R4,000 and R10,00 monthly depending on the company.
What does it take to become a brand ambassador?
Besides having an established following and good rapport with followers, the following factors and soft skills are considered:
- Good communication skills: You must be able to efficiently and confidently get the brand's message across social media.
- Relationship-building skills: Creating a strong connection between customers, brands, stakeholders, and potentially other local influencers furthers the message and strengthens the brand's reputation.
- Strong interpersonal skills: People are drawn to those who are confident, charismatic, and friendly and prefer dealing with individuals who provide them with a positive experience when interacting with them.
- Ability to be authentic: People are more likely to use a product or service if the person promoting it has a genuine passion for it, which can make the item or service more appealing as it comes across as more genuine.
- Ability to adapt: Those promoting a company must be able to adapt to any changes in brand voice, tone, evolving industry practices and audiences.
- Overall enthusiasm: Displaying genuine excitement regarding the brand does not go unnoticed by audiences, eliciting curiosity about the product or service.
Source: UGC
How many followers do you need to be a brand ambassador?
There is no general set amount of followers required to become a brand ambassador. However, most brands and companies do require their brand ambassadors to have a notable following, and many do provide a specific value, depending on their unique requirements.
How much do brand ambassadors get paid in South Africa?
The average salary may be dependent on experience and the brand, but is reported as being between R4,000 and R10,000 monthly for part-time roles. Annual salaries could range between R200,000 and R300,000, and according to Indeed, the average monthly salary is R6,840.
Are there any companies looking for brand ambassadors in 2025?
Companies in the cosmetics, marketing and retail industries are always looking out for new talent. You can find a detailed list on job sites such as Indeed, Pnet, Career Junction, or LinkedIn. You can also enlist the help of local recruitment agencies.
Final word
Knowing how to become a brand ambassador helps you stay informed on what companies are looking for in an individual, giving you a competitive edge over others. It also assists you in working on aspects you may not have thought of before, or improving on some aspects that could improve your chances of landing the job.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions. Any action you take based on the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
READ ALSO: ONB meaning on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram: a quick guide
Briefly.co.za wrote an article regarding online slang, which is beneficial for those who wish to pursue a career in social media or become an influencer. Specifically, the article relates to the slang online word, 'ONB'.
ONB means something different depending on the context. The most popular meaning is 'on bro' and is used to display sincerity or honesty.
Source: Briefly News
