Today, I have a great post that will teach you how to become a Brand Ambassador. If you are looking to make some extra money, this may be the gig for you. Enjoy!
How does getting paid $18-$100 per hour for representing your favorite brands at awesome events sound? What if you made money simply for making people happy at places like Coachella, the Super Bowl, and exclusive trade show conventions?
Welcome to the best kept extra money secret ever!
My name is Kenny Azama, I hold down the fort at BrandAmbassadorWorld.com, and for the past 3 years I’ve been “working” as a Brand Ambassador and making an average of $2,000 per week.
I’ve represented some of my favorite brands such as Nike, Oculus, Samsung, General Mills, and Chevrolet at amazing events such as Comic Con, E3, The Super Bowl, the US Open of Surfing, and Coachella.
If you have a friendly and outgoing personality and want to use it to get into amazing events and make money, this is the perfect job for you!
Here’s how to become a Brand Ambassador.
What is a Brand Ambassador?
Brand Ambassadors are the friendly people you see wearing branded t-shirts and handing out or demoing the latest products at events and high foot traffic areas.
By definition:
A Brand Ambassador is someone who is hired to represent a brand in a positive light and by doing so they help to raise brand awareness and provide consumers with a memorable face-to-face experience with the brand.
This method of marketing a brand is called promotional marketing.
A common misunderstanding is that Brand Ambassadors are employees of the brand they are promoting, but that’s not the case. In actuality, they are people like you and me who are simply contracted per gig by staffing and event marketing agencies to represent their clients – the brands.
Brand Ambassadors are usually hired in groups to work at large events, music festivals, trade shows, concerts, sports games, nationwide tours, retailers, and pretty much anywhere where there are lots of people and excitement!
One of my favorite parts about being a Brand Ambassador is that you get access to exclusive events for FREE and are able to enjoy the festivities!
What do Brand Ambassadors do?
There are so many different ways to promote a brand and that’s what makes this industry so exciting. No two gigs are ever the same!
A Brand Ambassador’s goal is always to create a fun and memorable experience for consumers and here are just some of the ways we do that:
- Giving away free samples and swag (e.g. sampling at events, high foot traffic areas, within retailers, etc.)
- Having people test new products (e.g. testing the new iPhone or the new Ferrari cars)
- Setting up and breaking down events (e.g. setting up 10×10 tents, tables, feather banners, etc.)
- Interacting with consumers face to face (e.g. greeting people at the door, being Emcee, or overseeing a section of an event, etc.)
- Increasing brand awareness by wearing branded uniforms or costumes (branded shirts, branded hats, costumes, etc.)
There are also many different job positions within the industry that you can be hired for that all have different responsibilities and even higher pay rates. If you like to manage events, you can be a Field Manager or a Tour Manager. If you like to get on the mic, you can make tons of money as an emcee. If you like to party, you can serve alcohol at events!
How much money does a Brand Ambassador make?
It still surprises me after all these years how much money we can make as Brand Ambassadors. If you want to, you can even go full-time as a Brand Ambassador as many of my friends have. A good handful of them even make 6-figures!
On average, I personally net anywhere from $1500-$2,000 per week (depending on the season, the gig, and if I feel like working that week). The bare minimum you can expect to make is $15/hr but there are gigs that offer as much as $100/hr.
Related articles:
- How I Earned Over $300,000 From My Blog In 2015
- 75+ Ways To Make Extra Money
- 10 Ways To Make Money Online From The Comfort of Your Home
- 10 Things I’ve Done To Make Extra Money
- Ways To Make An Extra $1,000 A Month
Count me in! How can a person become a Brand Ambassador?
Not a whole lot is needed in order to become a Brand Ambassador. All you need is:
- A computer with internet
- A friendly and outgoing personality
- A couple of nice photos of yourself
- A well-written resume that is catered for Brand Ambassador gigs
Where can Brand Ambassador gigs be found?
There are plenty of Brand Ambassador gigs out there, especially if you live in or near a major city. Hundreds of staffing agencies are looking for outgoing people just like you every single day.
My favorite place to find Brand Ambassador work is…FACEBOOK!
There are Brand Ambassador Facebook groups for every major city and these groups are where staffing and event marketing agencies prefer to post their open gigs.
To find these bountiful groups, type the following into your Facebook’s search bar:
“Brand Ambassadors of” + “Nearest Major City” (e.g. Brand Ambassadors of Dallas).
Once you find your local group, request to join it and start applying to the gigs you want!
What’s the hiring process like to become a Brand Ambassador?
Every gig will be different but for the most part, the hiring process for Brand Ambassador gigs goes like this:
- Search through Facebook to find gigs that interest you and that you’re available for
- Email the Hiring Manager for the gig you’re applying for with your resume and headshots
- If the agency is interested, they will call you for a quick phone interview (Here’s a FREE cheat sheet!)
- If you’re a good fit, the agency will call back to offer the job
- Have fun promoting the brand at an awesome event!
- After the event, payment will either be mailed to you or deposited directly (depending on which agency you work for)
This sounds great! What else should a person know about becoming a Brand Ambassador?
It IS great! With that being said, here are a few things to consider before diving in:
- You are an independent contractor. This means no taxes will be taken out of your paycheck so you get your payment in full but you should save a percentage of your earnings to pay later. Depending on how you like to file your taxes and what you decide to write off, this could be a great thing!
- Because the brand must pay the agency before the agency can pay you, your payment can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks to get to you. It’s getting faster but it’s important to read your contracts before signing so you know exactly what to expect.
- When just starting out, you may not hear back from many of the gigs you applied for. Don’t give up! The more gigs you work, the easier it will be to land future gigs you apply for.
- If being on your feet and talking with people for hours at a time turns you off, then learning how to become a Brand Ambassador may not be your thing…but I say give it a shot anyway. It sure beats staring at a computer screen all day in a tiny cubicle!
Working in the Brand Ambassador industry is such a fun and flexible career and the fact that you can get paid $15-$100/hr just to sample and demo products at awesome events and retailers is just icing on the cake – this gig truly is the life hack of extra money!
If you have a friendly and outgoing personality and are looking for a flexible, fun, and lucrative way to make extra money, being a Brand Ambassador may be the perfect job for you!
Author bio: Kenny Azama holds down the fort at BrandAmbassadorWorld.com – a resource website about how to break free from the 9-5 as a Brand Ambassador. If you want to break into the promo industry and become a Brand Ambassador, pick up his FREE digital guide: “7 Simple Steps to Making Your First $1,000 as a Brand Ambassador” today!
Are you interested in learning how to become a Brand Ambassador?
Related Posts
How I Started A $650,000 Per Year Litter Cleanup Business- 75+ Ways To Make Extra Money
- How I Flip Garage Sale Items On eBay As A Side Hustle
- How I Changed My Financial Future And Made $50,000 Writing From Home
- How To Make $1,000 Extra With Facebook Each Month
- How I Made $90,189 Tutoring In One Year Part-Time
Ashley says
If you want to be an online brand ambassador and make money writing about brands you love, you should check out Yazing.com! Yazing had relationships with the top brands and let’s you earn large cash rewards when you link people to the latest deals and coupons for any of their brands on the site!
Kenny Azama says
Hey Ashley,
This is such a cool idea! I’ve never heard of Yazing.com before but it sounds like a great way to make some extra cash. There are SO many different ways to represent a brand and doing so online is definitely looking like a great option too. Thanks for sharing!
-Kenny
Bryan says
This is really interesting. More than anything it looks like it will be fun. Having fun while making cash? Definitely something I’ll look into.
Kenny Azama says
Thanks for the comment Bryan! Trust me, this is the life hack of fun jobs. I’m currently writing to you from an RV in San Antonio, TX and will be getting paid pretty darn well to travel around the US until May and promote a brand called Merial. Definitely look into the Brand Ambassador industry and if you want to learn more or have any questions, head over to my website at http://brandambassadorworld.com.
See you there!
-Kenny
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, having fun while making cash is the best!
giulia says
Lovely idea, thanks for sharing, it sound a good way to make extra money!!!
Kenny Azama says
Thanks for the comment giulia!
It really is a great way to make extra money and you can even make a full-time income from it. I hope you enjoyed the article and can land some Brand Ambassador gigs of your own. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask :]
Kate Sorensen says
Hi Kenny!
Very nice post! If you’re at all interested, I’d love to have you guest post on my site? I’ll send you an email through your contact form.
Kenny Azama says
Hey Kate!
Sure, I’d love to whip up something valuable for your site :] Feel free to contact me through my website whenever is convenient for you.
-Kenny
Josh @ FamilyFinancier says
Looking forward to checking out this source of online income!
My only worry is that I don’t live close enough to a big city, but I guess I won’t know until I find out. I think that maximizing your level of fun in your side hustle will do wonders for your motivation levels!
Kenny Azama says
Hey Josh,
What city do you live in? It can definitely be a bit more challenging to make a full-time income if brands aren’t marketing in your vicinity. With that being said, many Brand Ambassadors do travel all over the nation to work and enjoy the events they find interesting. A lot of my friends will travel from very far just to work big events because they pay well, they’re fun, and sometimes the brand will pay for accommodation costs. I’ll be publishing a post about traveling as a Brand Ambassador pretty soon so be sure to check back in at http://brandambassadorworld.com/blog.
Good luck!
-Kenny
DNN says
MIchelle,
This sounds like a great financial supplement to those who are either unemployed or seeking to add supplemental income to their daytime employment income. Thanks for sharing this with us! 🙂
Kenny Azama says
Hey DNN,
Thanks for the comment! Being a Brand Ambassador is a great financial supplement to anyone really. Whether you’re working full-time, part-time, or no-time, you can always squeeze in Brand Ambassador gigs in the evening or on the weekends to make extra money. Many Brand Ambassadors even work these types of gigs for a full-time income (like myself).
If you want to read 6 reasons why being a Brand Ambassador is awesome, check out this post I wrote up a little while ago: http://brandambassadorworld.com/6-reasons-why-being-a-brand-ambassador-is-the-best-job-ever/
-Kenny
Kristi @ Femme Frugality says
Thanks for sharing this post! Brand ambassador work sounds like it would be a lot of fun as a side hustle. Definitely something to look into!
Kenny Azama says
Hey Kristi,
Thanks for the comment! Brand Ambassador work is TONS of fun :] I’m currently on a nationwide RV tour and after that I’ll be flying to San Francisco to represent Oculus (virtual reality company) at the Super Bowl. There are so many fun ways to make money as a Brand Ambassador. Check out my 5 most fun Brand Ambassador gigs from 2015 here: http://brandambassadorworld.com/looking-back-on-2015/
Miranda says
I’ve been a brand ambassador on and off for the last few years.
It’s also a great way to travel if you’re able to find a gig that’s travelling across the country/state/province.
You can even use it as a way to travel your home country-picking up jobs in various cities.
Kenny Azama says
Hello my fellow Brand Ambassador!
You’re right, it’s a great way to see the country and get paid to do it. I’m currently writing to you from an RV in San Antonio, TX. It sounds like you have a lot of experience with BA work! Have you been on any tours before?
-Kenny
Allie says
Echoing others here but this sure does sound like a fun way to make some extra cash! Can’t go wrong with that! I wonder if you live in a smaller areas/rural communities not close to cities if you can have similar success, will have to look into it.
Kenny Azama says
Hey Allie,
If you live in smaller/more rural areas, there will still be opportunities to promote brands at local events or retailers but not as much as say NYC or Los Angeles. If you have a stellar personality and don’t mind traveling, you can also apply for gigs outside of your city or even state and make money as a Brand Ambassador in more populated areas.
I hope that helps and good luck!
-Kenny
Kenny Azama says
Hey Jayson,
Facebook is a great way to find Brand Ambassador gigs! Join the Brand Ambassador Facebook group for the major city nearest you and start applying for the events that you want to be at for the rate you want to get paid. Good luck and let me know fi you need help with anything at all.
-Kenny
Brittney @ Life On A Discount says
I have a few friends who do this and love it! One did it as a side gig and turned it into a full time career (moved up in the organization). I have considered trying it, but haven’t taken the leap. Thanks for sharing!
Kenny Azama says
Hey Brittney,
Thanks for the comment. Yea, lots of people are able to turn it into a full-time gig once they have enough experience and a strong network. The work will just come to you without having to apply for it! Give it a shot and if you have any questions at all, just let me know at http://brandambassadorworld.com/contact.
-Kenny
Preston @TheDrunkMillionaire says
Kenny- Great Post! I had never heard of this side-hustle. It seems like a cool way to make some dough (even as a side-hustle)! Time to visit Facebook 😉
Kenny Azama says
Hey Preston!
Yea, most people haven’t heard of it before. We’ve all seen them before but never thought anything of it right? For most people it’s a great side hustle and you can even turn it into a full-time gig if you are a hustler and have a great personality!
-Kenny
cece says
I used to book gigs like this through a modeling agency, when I used to model. They had a promo dept. It was extra cash for when the other jobs weren’t coming in. The hours all over the place, but they are pretty fun. A lot of times you are like-I am getting paid to do this?
Kenny Azama says
Hey cece,
That’s awesome that you’ve been a Brand Ambassador before! Haha I know what you mean about “am I getting paid to do this”. I’ve had so many of those moments, Like right now I’m driving an RV around the nation and putting on events and I can’t believe I’m getting paid to do this!
Yes, the hours can be sporadic if you simply treat it as a side hustle but you can definitely earn a stable income from it if you treat it as a business.
Good luck!
-Kenny
Tyler @ Oddball Wealth says
Thanks for your great insight! I have never considered making extra money as a brand ambassador. It’s always great to read about additional fun ways to make extra money, and becoming a brand ambassador seems like a great way to increase your income. Thanks again!
Kenny Azama says
Hey Tyler,
No problem , I’m glad you liked the post! It’s such a fun and easy way to make an extra few hundred bucks a week if you’re busy or you can make a full-time living from it as well. Good luck out in the field and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help with anything!
-Kenny
Tyler @ Oddball Wealth says
Indeed, a extra few hundred bucks a week can really add up over time. Good luck to you too, and thanks I will!
Nate says
I didn’t know that this was a thing. Are you normally hired as a long term employee, or is it on a per-gig basis?
Kenny Azama says
Hey Nate,
This is on a per-gig basis and you’d be working as an independent contractor so it’s very flexible in terms of deciding when you want to work and when you don’t. Depending on the gig though, there can be longer contracts. For example, I’m currently on a nationwide RV tour on a 5 month contract.
If you want to learn about other Brand Ambassador positions, check out this post here: http://brandambassadorworld.com/8-types-of-brand-ambassador-positions-and-how-much-they-pay/
-Kenny
Anthony says
Great