1 Online Summit, 0 Paid Ads, and Years of Collaboration Opportunities

In today's episode, I’m joined by Brittany Verlenich, social media strategist, content creator, podcaster, and online business owner who has built much of her business through organic relationships and collaboration. Brittany shares how simply “making friends on the internet” has led to clients, referrals, speaking opportunities, summit partnerships, affiliate relationships, and new business opportunities, all without relying on paid ads. We also unpack specific collaborations and their strategies, giving you a practical look at how aligned collaborations can develop through conversation.

Here’s what you’ll learn: 

• Why Brittany approaches networking and creator collaborations with generosity first, focusing on how she can genuinely help the other person and their audience
• How one online summit connection grew into a paid speaking opportunity, new clients, affiliate partnerships, referrals, and several ongoing collaborations
• How to find aligned collaboration partners by looking for a shared audience, mission, and values without choosing someone who offers exactly the same thing you do
• Simple ways to collaborate online
• What makes Brittany say yes or no to a collaboration pitch and why a thoughtful approach often matters more than follower count
• Why hearing “no” does not have to end the relationship, and how counteroffers, follow-ups, and staying visible can turn a “not right now” into a future partnership

The biggest takeaway from this conversation is that collaboration doesn't have to start with an elaborate pitch or complicated strategy. Sometimes it begins with starting a conversation and being open to where the relationship could lead. Don't forget to leave a like and review on this episode. If you’re ready to start building strategic collaborations of your own, head to heyletscollab.com and grab my free Collab Scripts. I'll see you next week!

Connect with Brittany:
Website
Instagram
The Freelancer Fix
Youtube
Podcast

Links:
Website: https://heyletscollab.com
Instagram: Hey, Let's Collab (@heyletscollab) • Instagram profile
FREE Collab Scripts: Collab Scripts - Hey, Let's Collab
Collab Starter Kit: https://heyletscollab.com/kit
Blog: Blog - Hey, Let's Collab
YouTube: Hey, Let's Collab
Pinterest: Hey Let's Collab

Transcript

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Nadalie Bardo 0:00

Hey, it's Nadalie and welcome to the Hey Let's Collab Podcast. This is a podcast about how successful creators grow through collaboration. Every episode, we unpack one specific partnership from the first pitch to the final result. This gives you the full blueprint on how to collaborate with confidence and grow your business through aligned connections. Ready to get started? You'll love this week's collaboration. Hello everyone. Hey, I'm Nadalie Bardo and welcome to the Hey, Let's Collab podcast. This is a podcast about real connections for online creators. Every episode, we unpack one specific partnership from the pitch to the results so you can learn how to collaborate with confidence and grow your business through aligned connections. And I'm so excited to introduce you to one of my aligned connections. Hi, Brittany.

Brittany Verlenich 1:04

Hi, Nadalie. Thanks so much for having me. I'm so excited for this conversation.

Nadalie Bardo 1:09

I'm so excited that you're here as well. So if y'all are new to Brittany, allow me to formally introduce you. By day, Brittany's using her skills and experience to help clients get leads and sales with social media. By night, she's a content creator herself, experimenting and learning each platform in real time. And yeah, I love hearing and learning from your experiments. Your posts are always so insightful. I feel like, you know, you're just like my go-to.

Brittany Verlenich 1:40

Oh, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. I mean, I feel like that's what we are. Like when you talk about being a creator, that is literally my life, right? Like I'm showing it, whether it's my travels or what I'm learning on social media and documenting it and sharing. And I love it. I can't believe I get to do this work.

Nadalie Bardo 1:55

Amazing. It's wonderful work. So let's dive right in. I'm curious to hear what collaborations mean to you? And also what has it meant for your business, sis?

Brittany Verlenich 2:09

Yeah, yeah. I've got a lot going on. I would say I just tell people that I'm good at making friends on the internet. And that's really what it is for me. I I people have asked me, like, what is the system you use for networking? And I'm like, I don't really have a system. I'm really, I mean, I just make friends. I genuinely think, how can I help people? It's the same thing with posting, right? I believe in extreme generosity. So I'm I try to be really generous in every kind of conversation I have, in every interaction I have. Um, and I think people just notice that and they gravitate towards that. And um, not to get too woo, but I feel like it's a little bit of energy too. People can just feel it like when they know that you really care about them. Um, so yeah, just making friends and figuring out how can I help and also thinking constantly, not just what's in it for you, but what's in it for them. Like how can I really add value to their life and their business?

Nadalie Bardo 2:59

For sure. I love that. Yeah, I think we can get a little inflated or worked up about the idea of collaborations, but at its heart is how can I help this other person? How can I help their audience? How can I show up for them? And I think in a way, that's a love language. It's almost like acts of service, like to other creators, you know? And I think that's where we can build connections.

Brittany Verlenich 3:29

I love that you say love languages. I think one thing about feeling out where other people are and too is like, what do they need? Because sometimes what you think they need isn't what they actually need or what they are saying they need. So it's kind of like in dating almost, right? It's like, okay, what is this person feeling? Like, I know what I need, but I gotta hear what they are and think, am I the right person for them? And this is what I want. So you're constantly in this like matchmaking, I feel like. I mean, same thing with friendship too, right? Like, do we get along? Do we have the same hobbies? Um, and I just, yeah, I really just try to think about the other person. And that is how my business has grown organically. And I've been never really talked about this before, and this is not really exactly related. But one of the reasons that I've grown organically through collabs is because I literally cannot grow through ads right now. Uh, my Facebook account, my Facebook account was blocked from ads in like 2020 or 2021. I don't know why. Um, so I was like, okay, I guess we're going all in with organic because that's what I have. And I'm so thankful for that because, you know, I don't know what it would look like. I don't know the connections I would have if I had not had to do that. So I'm just I'm so grateful every single day. I'm like, I can't believe I just get to help people. I get to show up and learn and share. And that's what's what that's what worked for me.

Nadalie Bardo 4:40

Yeah, that's incredible. So whether your ads, I've I've heard so many stories of people having drama with their like meta ads accounts, you know. And maybe you're listening and you're like, I don't even have the budget for ads. Like, I can't even think about, you know, jumping into that whole world. And you don't have to. Like, I just started running ads, and you know, it's still not the biggest contributing factor in how I grow my audience, right? So yeah, it's I just think there's so much potential, and it's it's organic on like so, like in the terms of like literally being an organic marketing strategy, but also, you know, being just like a human connection that you don't get more organic than that. I love that.

Brittany Verlenich 5:31

I find getting customers, quote unquote, getting customers and clients the same way, honestly. It is just human-to-human conversation. What does that person need? What do they want? Do they need what I have again, that matchmaking thing? So I was just gonna say, like, even on the lead gen and sales side, it's really the same thing. It's just talking to people, right? Talking to people and listening and getting to know them. For sure.

Nadalie Bardo 5:51

I love that. All about the communication. So, what role is there any other ways that collaborations have contributed to your business growth? Any other, you know, examples? And I know we're gonna get into one specific example, but yeah, is there anything else that you feel about collaborations that could just inspire someone who's listening to be like, yeah, collaborations, like this is this is it.

Brittany Verlenich 6:20

One thing I'll say is referring people. So I think that does require a level of self-awareness to be like, okay, I'm not good at everything, which no one is, of course. When we say it like that, it's like we know. But when you realize, okay, there are actually so many people who could do this one thing better than me, who where this is actually not a strength of mine, and I am happy to refer people, not even as an official program or anything like that, but just because this person is genuinely great at what they do, you'll be so served by going to them. So that's one way. I have been uh in a network marketing business. We won't talk about that today, but that is literally collaboration. I don't know any other way to explain that. And then even now in the travel business that I have, I actually don't do a lot of my own bookings anymore, which is very odd and but also cool. So a lot of times when people come and ask me about it, I will refer them to one of the travel agents that I mentor. One, because especially when you're new, and this is true for anything, your first 10 of like bookings or working with clients, like, I don't know, what do I do? Did I do it right? So it's a good learning tool for them. But I I just feel like, again, it's the generosity sharing. So I feel like it's literally built everything up and then summits and bundles, myself contributing to them, just getting in front of other people, podcast interviews, right? This is a sort of collaboration. So yeah, I just uh it's literally built everything for me. I I don't know any other way to do it. And I'm really glad that that has been the case for me because I know for others that it's they really have to think about it. And I will actually say that is such a gift, by the way, if you're listening to this and you're like, actually, I've done really well on my own. That's awesome. You have established foundations and and you're probably ready to go and do it, like even if you feel like you're not, because you're just gonna talk to somebody else and they're gonna see the awesome things that you built. So I feel like I actually built by sharing in real time. Like I've been documenting my life for almost seven or eight years. So I think it's gonna be different for every single person, depending on the business model and all that. But definitely, even just an email swap, that's an easy collaboration you could do if you're like not even sure about getting on camera. There's just so many ways to do it.

Nadalie Bardo 8:18

For the email swap, how would you encourage someone who's never done that before to reach out to someone? Like, how would they choose the person to reach out to? Like, what do you what is your advice?

Brittany Verlenich 8:31

It's a really good question. So I would say the strategic answer is looking at like following and things like that. But honestly, again, it's just thinking, do I have any friends who have a similar audience to me, but maybe not exactly the same niche? Right. So if I was talking about social media strategy, I'm talking a lot about YouTube right now, just because in the last year and a half my YouTube channels have been blowing up. So I've been talking more about that because I can speak to personal experience. So if I was going to collaborate with somebody else, I might not talk to somebody who's talking about YouTube in the exact same way that I am. Maybe they have a different offer. So that's one way that I could find somebody. Um, or maybe it's not YouTube, but they talk about um maybe digital products and how they use YouTube to sell them, right? Something like that where it's like a tangential similarity, but not exactly. Um, but yeah, the shared audience and the shared mission and the shared values, I think, are the most important things to me.

Nadalie Bardo 9:23

I love that. Yeah. So just reach out. Just hey, you know, love your channel on YouTube or love your site, loved your post on Facebook or threads. Would love to do an email swap. And you could even like say like how you can be helpful to their audience, right? Like my specific, you know, like um, you know, like maybe you teach like how to grow a channel from scratch and maybe they are more focused on advanced skills. So I would just try to find maybe the gap. Um, maybe what makes you a little different, uh, you know, not just really let's do a swap.

Brittany Verlenich 10:01

Then why? Yeah. And it doesn't always have to be a freebie either. That was something else I was just talking to somebody about that an email swap could be you send an email to basically to their audience, or they, you know, vice versa. And instead of an opt-in, although that's great because you want to grow your email list, you could also, if you're focusing on YouTube, send them your YouTube channel because that's also an easy yes for someone to go. Those are views, user money. Subscribers are great because you get them into your other funnels on YouTube. So that's one example. I think it can be anything you want. That's another thing I will say too, is that don't limit yourself to all the collaborations that you see people already doing and talking about. There's always really creative ways that are way easier. I mean, even just going live with someone else on Instagram, like I'm saying just because it's easy, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. I mean, I know some people who go live on Instagram and they repurpose that content as their podcast, right? And it's like they get two in one exposure and then they share it to their stories with a link. Like it's genius. So actually, the simpler you can get, honestly, the better.

Nadalie Bardo 11:01

Yeah, I love that. And don't be afraid to be creative, to pitch a collaboration that's unique, you know, if it's the right vibe, they're gonna say yes. Okay, so speaking of the right vibe, I would love for us to unpack your specific collaboration. So, what collaboration are you sharing with us? Set the scene, roll back the clock, and take it from the start. It was a dark and stormy night on December 2022.

Brittany Verlenich 11:29

No, I'm just kidding. Um, but actually it was in December 2022. I was hosting an online summit, and this was at the time, I'm gonna try not to share too many details for identifiers, but if you're ever curious, you can just DM me and I'll share a little more. So I was hosting a summit, and this was like the first B2C summit really in this space that had been happening. So, in a way, again, share luck and also just me reaching out to people. We're just talking about that. I got some people who I was like, wow, I didn't think you were gonna say yes. That's awesome. Like, let's do it. So it was really great and also really forged connections. I think that I wouldn't have met with otherwise. So, again, that's another reason. Just pitch, you never know what's gonna happen. We're single, dude, say no, or they won't respond. So I ended up having about six or seven hundred participants, which was already cool. And I think we had 40 speakers. So it was actually a pretty big, pretty big event. And one of these people, she was really interesting because I said, Oh, we're so similar. She had a B2B business-to-business audience of travel bloggers, but she also had some teaching experience. And so I was like, Oh, we have that connection. Okay, because I was a teacher too. So we were talking about that and traveling in our 20s. And also, I think we have a similar philosophy in just generosity. Like she is so incredibly generous. If you see her online, I mean you've she's probably helped you at some point if you're a travel blogger. So yeah, we she applied to speak at my summit, and we were just going back and forth via email. She was like, you know, sharing things that she needed to get in and talking back and forth. And then when we were talking about some of the experience I had as a travel agent, she was like, Can I pick your brain just like on Zoom? And I was like, Yeah, sure. So we get on Zoom again, another technically collaboration, because I could have, I'll say this too, I could have charged her, right? I could have said that's a one-on-one session, but I was like, you know what? I don't, I could send you up here and nothing wrong if you want to charge, by the way. Don't, don't be, I'm not against charging. But I was like, you know, um, actually, I'd like to pick your brain about XYZ2. So we just did a one-on-one call. I was like, I'll ask you about this. You asked me about that. And the more we were talking, the more I was like, oh yeah, we have some like real synergy here because we have a shared audience, but like not quite the same offer. So that led to me going and speaking at her in-person event. That was actually my first event where like, yeah, it was so exciting. Where like I actually got paid to go and to travel and speak. So, and it wasn't even about that. It was just like I've I felt honestly so happy that I'd made an impact on her that she even asked me. I I thought that was like just that really showed me, wow, okay, this is an awesome relationship. But also, it showed me what was possible for myself because now I'm like, okay, I can say I'm a paid speaker and not just because I'm deciding that, but because it's actually true. You know, so that's led to other opportunities since then. That skyrocketed my confidence for sure. I met so many people at that event too that have ended up working with me, collaborating with me. We've been affiliate partners. And actually, now the person who organized that event, she and I are collaborating on a couple other things. So we're doing some shared legion. So we're gonna help her students make more money, which I love. Um, we're also gonna have my travel agent, my community of travel agents are going to be benefiting from her uh her course. So I'm like, yes, like let's do this. It's so exciting. And so I want to share that because I mean, for so many reasons. One, it was just her speaking at my summit. And I will say two on that, not that I'm a summit expert or master, but one thing I learned from very early on is that your summit speakers are your VIPs. And I really do believe that. I mean, I think every person is very important, obviously. But when someone is building up your event and they're bringing you people and they're putting you in front of their people, like what an honor, what a privilege, you know, that that this audience that they've nurtured and built up and that they really trust. So I just made sure that every person I was like, what can I do for you? Like, how can I help? Not just with the summit, but what else can I do for you? And again, I really think that that's um, that's just gone a long way. And and it's also I wanted people, like I wanted these people, right? Some of them I pitched, some of them just found the form and applied like in a Facebook group. But these are all people that I'm like, yes, I am proud to partner with this person. Um, and it led to a beautiful friendship. We're also friends too. So I'm just so grateful that happened. I can also answer any specific questions you have. Um, yeah, just just pitch people.

Nadalie Bardo 15:39

Hey, pausing the episode because I really wanted to tell you about my collab starter kit. It has everything you need to start collaborating, even if you've never done it before and don't feel expert enough. With a step-by-step guide, outreach templates, tracker, and more, the kit takes you from I know I should be collaborating to I'm ready to send my first pitch. It's available at Hayletscollab.com for $36. But if you sign up for my free collab scripts, you'll unlock a special discount. Link in the show notes if you're ready to start collaborating with confidence. I love that. So it's so beautiful to me how like one conversation or one collaboration ends up snowballing to into another collaboration, into another collaboration. It's almost like you can't stop collaborating. Because why would you? Especially if it went so well, right? Like, I love that. I love that interaction and that you were able to, you know, just form a real connection. I think, you know, many of us can feel like it's hard to meet with someone who clicks. And I think you bring up a great point about having a call. I think like just booking a little coffee chat is like the fastest way. Like you could do it with a forum. I think some of our other, um, some of our other guests have shared the different ways that they figured out what type of collaborations they could do with someone. But if you have the benefit of the time, why not? Just hop on Zoom or Google Meets, FaceTime, whatever. Or like honestly, sometimes I like an old-fashioned phone call. Like, I'll just call you on WhatsApp. Um, and just get to know the person a little bit. And you could be like, hey, Brittany, how can I help you? Right? Like, for real. Like, this could be a fun little experiment, Britney. Let's do it live. Um, is there any way that I can help your audience? Like, you know that I'm all about Pinterest marketing as well as collapse. Is there, yeah, anything you need help with?

Brittany Verlenich 17:49

Well, actually, you know what? I'm thinking, and this is live, so it's amazingly because I'm just showing you all how to do that. Yeah. Okay, so actually, so I have a travel agent YouTube channel, and I've actually been thinking about reaching out to some people. Some people I already have, I haven't gotten to everybody on my list yet. But I was like, oh, Nadalie could totally come in and do like a collaborative YouTube video about Pinterest specifically for travel agents, because it is a little bit different for service providers, which I we're not going to get into in this episode, I'm sure, but it's different than versus like having a course or a membership. Um, you know, lead gen is a little bit different, but I'm like, ooh, that could be such a cool topic. That would be neat. Um, and then also I was even thinking like in the future, when I have some online summits, probably like later on in the year, I would absolutely reach out to you about doing a Pinterest session for the travel agents because I know they need that. And I know that I really want for them to build like a holistic business, right? Where it's not just the services. They have, they do have a website and maybe they do have some digital products and things. Um, but I'm also out, I have to like baby them a little bit too. I'm like, okay, I know, travel agent is already hard enough. But like I'm I'm I have the whole vision for you. So we're going here. But yeah, what about those ideas? Or do you have any counter offers for me? So I'm open to that.

Nadalie Bardo 18:58

No, no tarot offers. Okay, for one, yes, love a summit, love a YouTube. Um, we could even, if some of them already have Pinterest accounts, we could do like a live audit. I could also do some research and find some accounts that are travel agent accounts that are doing really well. Because I love an example. I think when we have examples of the right way to do it, it's uh just gives us something to aim for and like shoot for and like feel confident in the way we're going. So yeah, both of those sound wonderful. I do have also a counter. Um, do you know about my Pinterest masterclass that I co-host? So I've co-hosted with, you know, many travel creators, including like Jesse on a journey and Nina from She knows SEO. So the travel creators love me. I think about 30% of my students are travel creators. So if you're interested, that's something I do. Um, I'll treat you like a VIP for short graphics. You have your own landing page, swipe copy, countdown timers. I got the affiliate link, everything you need uh to make it a successful collab. So that's my counter.

Brittany Verlenich 20:12

Ah, I love that. Yes, all that um for sure. And I think by the way, the audit is such a smart, a smart move because I think sometimes for travel agents, and by for anyone, by the way, too, if you're doing a collab, you're thinking, how can I get to that person? Because for the travel agents, one thing I've heard is like, yeah, but I'm not a travel influencer. I'm not a blogger. Some of them are, right? But some of them will have the objection of, yeah, but that's like, that's not exactly my model. And so it's like, oh, I've got you. I understand. Here's somebody doing that exact thing. So that is brilliant, by the way. Um, and that is what they need to see, right? Like they need to see that they understand that you understand where they're coming from. Um, so anytime you are pitching anything, listener, um, viewer, I will say, like, always think of the audience first. I mean, of course, like you also want to help the other person, but that's another thing too, is that person cares about their audience, right? Like there's they've taken that time to build an audience. So anything that's audience first is great. So I love that. Let's definitely talk about those offline. Um, but yeah, I think that's that's really good thumb to hear too. So that's awesome.

Nadalie Bardo 21:07

And is there anything that you want to do for my people? So I have my audience of around like 10k subscribers for um that are solely focused in like Pinterest marketing, but I think they're open to marketing in general. So, you know, like if there's anything like if you want to do like an email swap or a workshop, like I don't know what, yeah, you I'm open.

Brittany Verlenich 21:35

Yeah, I one thing that comes up in my head is like a mini chat setup or mini chat workshop, because that is something that even if they're not doing Instagram marketing, that's another thing I hear too. It's like, well, I'm not making reels every day. I'm not really like a creator, quote unquote. Totally get it. Um, definitely gonna pitch mini chat to you because even if you do nothing else but just set it up so that you have a keyword and that people get your opt-in, your email opt-in, that's amazing. You start actually getting emails from your Instagram uh reach. And then also we could talk about, or we could even talk about stories. I know some people who have completely static Instagram accounts and they just use like stories for launches or like close friends. There's all kinds of cool stuff you can do, even if you're not a quote unquote creator. So yeah, let's definitely talk about that. Cause I get it. I have like um, I have like my first, my first group of people that I talked to was they're uh sellers on Teachers Pay Teachers, which is like at C for Teachers. And they're usually like, I'm a business owner, I am not an influencer. And I'm like, I get it, but these are tools, right? These are they're just tools. So yeah, let's talk about that for sure.

Nadalie Bardo 22:36

Um tickled my brain there a second because when I was hosting my live boot camp, there's a particular type of person who doesn't have a website. So so many people don't have a website of their own, like you've mentioned. Maybe they are selling on TPT, maybe they're, you know, booking travel through a third-party like site, like it's not their own site. Maybe they have Etsy and they don't have their own site. And on Pinterest, you want to claim something. So for those people, I encourage them to claim their Instagram. And if they're not ready to do the whole like, I'm gonna post infinitely, I was like, why don't you just do your first nine introducing yourself, your offer, your freebie, and it's just there so that when people click, so I would even love like a just a setup your Instagram type um maybe workshop because like I don't want to teach Instagram to them. But like I do think for those creators or sellers or whoever you are, podcasters maybe who don't have their own website, having a almost like a Instagram like a site setup with many chat, like would be just a good asset to have. And I think it goes towards like credibility and legitimacy. So that's also my idea. Let me know if any of that sounds cool.

Brittany Verlenich 24:02

Yeah, I love that. I actually have a mini course called Never Post Again, which isn't that a great title. I love it. Um, so yeah, what I could do is I could do a workshop version of that so that way we can try to do it as much together as possible. But then I'll also give your people like it's it's free access. I'm happy to give them to them. Um, and then they can just go through and use it because it has the templates in there and it has other tutorials for someone who maybe I know like this was me in the beginning with Instagram. It was so hard for me to follow along live with people who are really fast. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I you went too fast and I didn't see that. So I I get that stress. So I also have tutorials. So if people need to slow me down, I'm also a fast talker, you know, from Southern California. So you gotta like slow me down sometimes and go through it. So I've also got that. So that that would be an awesome one. And I think that's something that's super actionable. I feel like for the Pinterest people too, who are like, uh social media, but Instagram using like that as a possible like traffic source or authority point, even a like a faux website. That is so genius, by the way. I muted myself, but being able to claim Instagram instead of the website, awesome if you don't have a website yet.

Nadalie Bardo 25:03

Right. Okay, let's do it. I love that. And I can also put that inside my course. There's about a thousand people in there. Um, and I'd be like, the list will just be like, no website, no problem. Like, let's get you set up. Okay. Okay, y'all just experienced it. This is what it is. And, you know, I guess the the little mini step that we missed was the initial outreach to make that connection. But I would just keep it short and sweet, send an email, um, send them a DM, you know, be like, you know, let's chat, like, hey, I'm this, or even if you already have an in through, for example, you're in a summit, you're in the same Facebook group, you're in the same course or community or mentorship, like whatever your connection is, heck, you live in the same city or country, I don't know. I'll just be like, you know, find that point of connection and use that as like your entry point. Like that's what I would do, you know.

Brittany Verlenich 26:08

Yes, uh plus one to Facebook groups. I think that's what most people miss because it's not just the Facebook groups, right? Facebook Facebook groups are the tool, just like how Instagram people say, Oh, you just have to mark on Instagram and you make money. And it's like, well, it's not quite that easy, right? It's just a tool that you use. But other people's Facebook groups, again, showing up generously. Um, the admins will notice, by the way, one, because Facebook actually gives you that data of like who's the most engaged and active in your group. Excuse me. But they'll also see your name over and over again. And you said the same course, right? Like, absolutely, I am not above um joining certain memberships to connect with people because I'm like, I know if I join this mastermind, like, yes, of course, the content, the person facilitating, that's great. But I'm just know the connections I'll be able to make. Because think about also the different levels of business that people are on. Typically, depending on where you're at in business, um you get to a point where you're so busy, you're like, I don't have time for Facebook groups. If you're in the beginning, definitely go into Facebook groups. Don't be afraid of wasting your time because you're getting your name out there. You are building the connections. All other people are seeing your responses. And I and I did that um like the first three or four years of business of just like connecting with people so people would see my name, Brittany Vrlinich. Um, and then over time, they're like, Oh yeah, that girl. I've seen her talk about like Instagram and stuff too. And eventually you just get to the point where they will either refer me or they'll recommend me, or I will be in the same group as them, and you just become impossible to ignore, right? In the best way. So yeah, plus one of that. And then actually in a Facebook group, that is where I first met this girl, full circle here that we're talking about. So she has um a course and she has a Facebook group, like the people are not in that course, but interested in learning from her and then kind of like lead gen for that course. Um, and I was in that because I was interested in learning, then learning the topic, but I was really interested then because I was a travel blogger first before everything else I'm doing now, right? Um, so yeah, I I think uh I think you just never know, right? And I'll also say that too, like every single interaction, um, always again, always be kind, always always be as considerate as possible because you just never know. You never know what'll happen.

Nadalie Bardo 28:14

Hold up. Sorry for the interruption, but I really wanted to tell you about my collab pitch generator. It's helping creators just like you skip that awkward staring at a blank page, not knowing what to write phase, and get straight to the crafting, personalized, ready to send pitches in minutes. It's available at heyletscollab.com for $27. Link in the show notes if you're ready to finally hit send on your pitches. For sure, I love that. Yeah, like for example, like I don't have my own Facebook group, but you know, I'm in like Nina of She knows SEO's Facebook group. So anytime someone's like Pinterest, I'll just get the tag and I'm like, yeah, you know, just taking up residency in this Facebook group. Send your Pinterest questions my way. Soon I'll be like, send your lab questions my way.

Brittany Verlenich 29:14

Yeah. Oh, I love it. I mean, I love that that's how I knew you because I'm thinking, I'm thinking about it now. I'm like, how did I meet Nadalie? I was like really trying to think about that. Like, how did I meet her? And I remember seeing you. I saw your um master class with Jesse. I think I saw you as a guest in um in Nina's course. And I'm like, okay, by like the fourth or fifth time, which by the way, that is definitely a lesson there, iteration and just outreach continuously. Like, don't slow down because you don't see results on something right away. Also, you're new. You're gonna probably have to build up your pitching skills if you haven't done it. It's all good. Um, but just the fact that you have been everywhere where I was like, okay, like the first couple of times I wasn't really interested in Pinterest, but now I'm like, okay, like I actually needed to like think about this because I'm like, yeah, I must be missing something, or or I just have the capacity. So that's another thing too, is sometimes people, if they do say no, I just want to let you know, no is not the worst thing in the world. If you just ask most, like more, if you ask enough, no will not hurt your feelings anymore. Because like, ah, that's okay. I already asked with people, so it's gonna be okay. But sometimes people just also don't have the capacity for something. So when I was first looking, I'm like, I have to ignore this intentionally because I don't have time for Pinterest yet. But now, okay, I'm looking at Pinterest possibly later in the year. So now I'm gonna pay attention. So that's another lesson, too, is like just always be visible, always be connecting with people. Um, because you just never know.

Nadalie Bardo 30:29

Yeah, and I feel the same way. Like, I have not had the energy for Instagram, right? And now I'm just like, oh, I got time. Um it's like I'm chilling. I'm literally in Colombia right now, and I'm seeing this beautiful yard and there's a fence here, and it's like, okay, my garden looks great, but what's I'm like peeking over the fence, like, what's what's Britney doing? Like, oh, how's this Instagram garden looking? And I'm like, okay, I need some of those flowers too, right? Like, I think that's kind of where you get, where you finally have that moment to be like, okay, what else can we add? You know? Uh it's a beautiful thing. So can we continue talking about like just because it's a no is not the worst thing? And I'm sure you get pitched a lot because you you got so many um pots spinning in the air, right? And what makes you want to say no? But also maybe what makes you want to say yes. So, what are your green flags and your red flags for collaborations? Like, does anything come to mind?

Brittany Verlenich 31:31

Yes. Well, one big one, and this might be just common, but if they don't get my name right, or if they it's very obvious that they like copied and pasted from Instagram, like, hi, Brittany, social media strategist, like the little pipeline thing, symbolic, all right, that's a no delete. Um, or if it's not obvious that they know something about my audience, or if they haven't listened for the podcast, social media magic podcast, I get pitched for that a lot, actually. It's and it's almost always like a certain type of company that's that's pitching. And I'm like, I don't want my podcast to just be a marketing tool. I really, I mean, yes, I know people are marketing and that's fine. Obviously, I'm in marketing, but I I really want to connect with people because I, again, the mission, the values, and what they're doing is aligned with me. That's a really important alignment. So um, so yeah, so if it's very obviously not a fit, um, sometimes if someone pitches me and maybe they're it's just not quite a fit, but I can tell they at least researched me, then I'll at least respond and say, hey, this is not a right thing right now. But sometimes, like I said, counteroffer, sometimes I'll say, What about this instead? Like, are you open to like, I'll go live in your Facebook group or something like that? So part of it is um if the person came off well, if I can tell they did their research, and even if someone's newer, because I know uh numbers, I think that can really mess with people's minds too. Like, oh, I don't know if I can pitch this person. This person has so many followers and I don't, or this person's podcast is whatever rank. Um, I usually don't care about that. As long as like I can see the person has really quality content. I mean, if if I can tell that they care, or sometimes if they're just funny, I've also just had a good subject line and I'm like, I gotta see what this person's doing, right? So good subject line, I'll fit it. Yeah. And it's just like they're a good copywriter, or they just use the right one. And sometimes I'll do that too. So I it just it really depends on the person. But I'll say if you, if you're willing to get the person's name right, if you're willing to listen to one episode of their podcast, watch one of their YouTube videos, just going a little bit above and beyond saying, like, hey, I really love your work around X. I mean, even better if you're a listener. My one of my first social media clients, I was actually listening to her podcast, like religiously. And then when she sent an email to her list, I was like, Oh, that's me, hire me. I even message her. I was like, you stop looking. It's me. I'm your social media manager. No one else is gonna do as good because I've memorized all your episodes. Here's all the stuff. And I did it kind of in a humorous way. Yeah, but she was like, oh my gosh, well, this girl's either crazy or she's gonna be really good. So either way, we've got an interviewer. Um anyway, so you just never, you just never know. Um, and then the nose thing, I will say it is a little bit of a muscle. Um, and but I've also learned in a way it's a numbers game. So it's a person game, but it's also a numbers game. If you ask enough people, it will not hurt your feelings as much when someone says no. Even if it's someone really awesome that you're like, oh man, this would be great. Um, it's gonna be okay. And also it could just be a not right now. There's also just been seasons of my life, like physically, where I'm like, oh gosh, I would love to do this thing. Like, you're so cool. What you're doing is so cool. I physically don't have my health up for it. Um, or I just I have another commitment. But like, please keep asking me, you know? So I've told people that too. I'm like, please keep asking me. Um, please, like, you know, don't take it personally because I I hate turning people down, honestly. I feel so bad because I know how much strength it takes to work up to ask, but um, but really just it's it's just a person, right? It's just a person. So just be a person and um and just treat other people how you'd want to be treated. Like, how would you want someone to pitch you and then pitch that way to others?

Nadalie Bardo 34:48

Yeah, such great advice. Okay, I love it. Um, one other question. You've been around for a while. So I'm just curious if you've made any mistakes with collaborations. Like, is there has there ever been a connection where you're just like, oh, yeah, that didn't go great, but it's okay.

Brittany Verlenich 35:07

Yes, there are, yes, a brand reached out to me three or four years ago. I and it's like I was so excited because I was like, this is a pretty big brand in my space. And I was like, oh my goodness, I saw dollar signs in my eyes. No, but I was like, you know, if I I would love to work with this brand, I actually love what they're doing, and I know they pay creators well. So I was very excited about that because for me, the paying well really just means respect, right? Like I respect your work. It means that's what it really means. But anyway, so I was just not ready to be honest. I was not ready. Remember, I talked earlier about having yourself established. I really wish that I would have responded then and said, and been honest and said, like, I would love to work with you in the future. Please get back to me in two years, or I will pitch you when I'm ready because um I just was not ready and the things they were asking for, and I just tipped too long and I missed the opportunity. That doesn't mean it's I miss out forever. In fact, I'm probably at a point now where I could go back and pitch them again. Um, but it's just one of those things where you do want to have certain things in order, right? Like you want to make sure you have at least a very basic media bio. You want to have a headshot. These are things that I just didn't have, at least at a professional level yet. And I don't want to say that to discourage anybody. Like I think start where you're at, like work with people who are your peers. Like there's so many collaborations you can do that don't require you to go pay for a photo shoot or something like that. Um, but it is worth it to pay for a photo shoot. So I'll just put that out there too. And actually, every time I travel now, little pro tip, I go and hire a photographer. So now I have like some travel lifestyle shots. I have um, I have some like professional headshots. I just tell them like this is my brand, this is what I'm looking for, this is a campaign I'm doing. And that just helps because even though some people I know follow me who are creators, it's like hard to get your own stuff sometimes. You know, it's like it's easy to get other people's stuff or take photos, but then once you get like a mental block. So I just hire a photographer, I'm like, call it a day. And so, like now, all of my bigger major trips, by the way, it's a great souvenir because I look back and I'm like, oh, like that was from Puerto Rico. That was from my trip in London. And so it's just great.

Nadalie Bardo 37:06

I want I'm like, I need to do that. But also, I really lucked out a couple years ago when I was traveling. I became really good friends with a photographer. So, like, all my headshots for both brands, and well, yes, three brands now, they were all thanks to that photographer. So I'm like, yeah, thanks so much.

Brittany Verlenich 37:28

That's awesome. Yeah, one of my first like photo shoots I did abroad, same thing. I was traveling with a friend. And honestly, that is what showed me I needed to do it because I was like, wow, I have some amazing pictures from this trip. And then I went on one where I didn't. I was like, not so good for that one. So I really need to, I need to have someone do this because it's to me, it's that important. I believe it content should be invested in. I don't think that necessarily everybody's gonna be at the point to do that. I totally get that. But investment looks different. Like for your first investment, quote unquote, it just might be time. Like I need to dedicate time to learning this skill and this craft. I need to dedicate practice. I need to do a hundred iterations of just putting out posts I know are gonna be bad. It's like the pancake theory, right? Just accept my first hundred of anything, it's probably not gonna be my best work. That's all right. I need to do it so I can learn which buttons to push and what needs to happen. So, same thing for collaborations, uh, just to tie that up. I I understand it's scary to do things where you may or may not be ready. Um, and I can understand the idea of like fumbling the bag, but you know what? Like, you're really never gonna fumble that hard because I've been now in business for for almost 10 years. That's crazy. Um, for almost 10 years. So I just feel like I have enough social capital that it's like, even if I did fumble with someone, if if I just apologized, like honestly, that it's that easy too. Sometimes, like, oh man, I'm so sorry. You know, and just saying that and then and owning it and then and moving on. It's all you really can do, right? We're just people.

Nadalie Bardo 38:51

Yeah, and I think that's a great advice for any type of relationship. Like I literally sent a that last text was awkward, I'm sorry message this morning. Um, because yeah, I'm the type of person who I don't like leaving things awkward and I don't like leaving things weird. So it would be like the same for you know any collaborations. Like, yeah, that didn't go so great, but you know, um, maybe focus on whatever the win was and like hopefully, you know, we still have an opportunity to partner again. I love that. So, Brittany, my question for you is this what type of collaborations are you open to? I thought this is like a fun way to end the episodes where a listener can think of, you know, if you guys are a great match, what are you open to?

Brittany Verlenich 39:41

Oh my gosh, so many things. So I have my podcast, Social Media Magic. So if you, I would love to do like case studies on specific features and specific platforms. So, for example, if you've been doing awesome things with Instagram trial reels, I'd love to hear from you. If you have been doing something really creative with YouTube, come on over. I'd love to hear from you. So let me know there. You can send me a DM on Instagram at Brittany Verlenich. I know my name is a little hard to spell, so I'll make sure that we have it in the show notes and stuff for you. And I'll also say I'm pretty much, I don't want to say down for whatever, but like almost down for anything. I mean, ask me. I've I've traveled for things if I like you and if I can serve your audience, I'm willing to do it. I also have um for maybe a way that you could uh I could help you. So I'm actually hosting an event. It'll be mid-2027. So yeah, so you'll there'll be some months ahead. You can message me if you're interested. It's called Famsterdam. We're gonna be talking about fam trips um for travel agents and the travel creator blogger world in Amsterdam. So that's kind of cool. So if you're interested in that, you're willing to travel and show up and uh and help people and serve people, then I'd love to talk to you there. So yeah, I'm just I'm open. Message me, pitch me. In fact, I'm a great first pitch because I will turn you down so softly and kindly. Yeah, if I have to say no, I will be so kind to you. So I'm a good first pitch to practice on. If you want to do that, just rip the band-aid off. Um and you never know. Maybe I'll say yes. So go for it.

Nadalie Bardo 41:08

I love that. Okay, Brittany, what do you have to share with us? Is there a gift for our listeners?

Brittany Verlenich 41:16

Yeah, so I have, and actually, I literally just thought of this while you're asking me right now, so I'll send you details. But um actually, so I have a Substack newsletter that I honestly I see it like a little circle of our peers because not everybody is going to be on there, but it's called the Freelancer Fix. So for people who are interested in freelancing themselves, I mean, obviously, I've been freelancing now for so long. I started as a travel agent and then adding on social media management and then adding on YouTube and stuff like that. So if you're interested in adding a freelancing offer, I'm making a prediction right now that 2026 and 2027, yeah, I know 2026 and 2027 are gonna be big years of done for you services. I really do believe that based on what I'm just seeing in like macro trends. I think like a few years ago it was like the year of coaching, and then it was like the year of courses, and then it was the year of um automation and then low-ticket offers. I think, I really do think, just looking at what's happening, I think people want to work with humans more than ever now. By the way, another plus one to collaborations because of AI and automation dominating, right? Like there's always gonna be a pendulum swing the other way. And I think it's gonna be hard in the direction of done for you services. So even if you're like, I'm not really a freelancer, I'm not really a service provider, I want to challenge you to rethink that. I think there's an a service you could offer that's related to what you're doing. Anyway, so that newsletter would be sub, yep, yep, Nadalie's raising her hand. So that's self-stock would be.

Nadalie Bardo 42:39

Pinterest marketing management, you know, I'm opening it. Yeah.

Brittany Verlenich 42:42

Yeah, I know. Pinterest. I mean, that's a huge one. Pinterest is like a whole beast. So yeah, I'll have um, so I have the newsletter that's that's free, but I also have the paid ones where you can actually like come on monthly sessions and ask questions. We do live trainings, and I will make sure to give Nadalie a few of those for free. I'm just gonna make a note of myself right now, so don't forget. Um, and so you know, just message or uh I'll actually I'll make sure that she has like a coupon code or something. So, you know, just ask about that because I would rather you get the help. And I remember, I remember being in the classroom and like I did not have any extra money when I was getting started. I I mean, literally nothing. I was paying off a ton of debt. So, you know, like let's figure something out. There's gonna be some way that um that I can help you get started, get your first few clients. I have loads of free content I can point you to as well. So that would be one thing. Um, and then just come follow me on Instagram or YouTube. I literally share mini tutorials. Like, even if you just go and binge and stuff there, you're gonna learn something.

Nadalie Bardo 43:36

Yes, okay. Love it, love it, love it. If you're listening, be sure to click all the links. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast if you enjoyed this conversation. I've got so many more in store for you. Be sure to connect with Brittany. She's wonderful and has so many ways to help you, help you to collaborate, help you to level up, even just your confidence. I think knowledge equals confidence in my experience. So thank you so much, Brittany. I appreciate you. Can't wait to collab, y'all. I'm gonna have to do an episode down the line with just all the updates on everything we collaborated. Maybe you should come back and then we could say, like, this is also what happened. You know, a little play-by-play could be fun.

Brittany Verlenich 44:22

I love that. I love how I did it case studies. So, like, I would be tuning into that stuff. So I'm excited. I'm just excited for everything we're gonna do together, too. It's gonna be so fun.

Nadalie Bardo 44:30

Yay! So thank you so much, everyone. Just don't be afraid to say, hey, let's collab. Until next time. Hi. Thanks for tuning in to Hey Let's Collab. If you're looking to kickstart your collaboration game and land that dream partnership, check out heyletscollab.com and download the free collab scripts to get started.