Sasha applied via the Freestak platform to join Like the Wind magazine during their week in Chamonix for UTMB week. We caught up and talked about her week in the Alps, the LtW campaign and how the Freestak experience works.

What made you sign up for the Like the Wind campaign? 

Naturally my initial draw to applying for the campaign was the fact that I’m a huge fan of the magazine. Like the Wind are doing something different in the running space and it’s clear that people love it. To know that the campaign also involved a trip to Chamonix, a place I’d wanted to visit for a while, was super exciting too. How could I not apply for a campaign that meant travelling with a cool bunch of people to a place like Cham? I was pretty much sold as soon as I read the campaign brief and the proposed agenda which included tonnes of exciting stuff to get involved with and brands and meet athletes. 

How did you find the application process?

Easy. Without getting too techy, the user experience on the website makes applying for campaigns like this a pain-free process. Once I had pitched, it was just a case of sitting back and waiting for a response from Freestak. Notably, I’d already spent time creating my influencer profile before applying, so that was ready to go. Once the pitch window had closed (around 2 weeks I think) I heard from Freestak on email that I’d been shortlisted for the campaign. I was asked to confirm I was still available and outline what content/social I’d plan to do whilst I was out there. Once I’d sent that back, I got a reply within a few hours, and that was it. Flights and transfers were booked, and I was mentally packing my bag already.

 

What was your role when in Chamonix?

The LTW team were keen to get me as involved as possible, they were equally focused on making sure I had a great experience and that I felt like an honorary member of the team. That said, my focus in Chamonix was really on attending the LTW events, producing good content and covering everything I was doing on my social platforms. Whilst I was conscious that I had a job to do and lots of events to attend, I could have a lot of fun doing it. Social takeovers were also important, so I was let loose on the Like The Wind twitter/instagram accounts to cover the race. This was a lot of fun and helped the team as they were pretty busy. I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with the Like The Wind team whilst we were there and they were kind enough to introduce me to brand reps, athletes and friends of the magazine. This made it easier for me to write about my time away, get connected with people who are passionate about the sport and share exciting and authentic experiences. 

I started creating my blog content whilst I was out there in the time I had spare, mainly so I could write everything down whilst it was fresh in my mind. If I’m honest, writing content about your favourite race whilst drinking coffee, in the sunshine, in Chamonix square really wasn’t too much of a chore. 

What advice would you give to people who would like to apply for campaigns (e.g pitch creation, etc)?

Firstly, don’t over think it. If you like the look of a campaign, then apply for it. The only pitch you’ll regret is the one you didn’t make. If you’re passionate about the brand, sport or campaign then give it a shot, that’s what the platform is for. Secondly, make your pitch as authentic and as personal as possible. I don’t think passion for a sport can be faked by any measure, so stay true to your personal brand in all of your pitches. Every endurance sport is different and we all do it for different reasons, but you should be conscious that a lot of the pitches will probably sound pretty similar. If you’re excited about it, express that, and if you’ve got something cool or interesting to share that will make your pitch stand out then totally include it. Lastly, don’t rush it no matter how excited you are about it. Do your research and remember that the tone of your pitch and expression of who you are and what you’re likely to deliver for the brand. 

What do you like about the Freestak experience?

The user experience on the platform is a big plus for me, which in turn means I regularly return to the site to check for new campaigns and to check what adventures other influencers are heading off on. I also really like the social coverage. Freestak aren’t just pushing out campaigns and brand names, they provide the platform users with content that’s useful and engaging. I’ve picked up a lot of SEO tips and content guidance from them which is always a plus.

Why would you recommend it – why should influencers consider signing up?

1. There’s nothing else like it out there. Get involved in the platform now, and I’m almost certain it will either inspire you to create your own adventure or open the door to cool adventures with brands. 

2. You’ll learn. If you’re picked for a campaign, or you’re regularly connecting with influencers on the platform, you’ll learn something new and probably develop a fresh perspective on your sport. The platform can connect you to some of the nicest and most passionate people in the business who really know their stuff. 

3. You’ll get connected. I made some seriously great friends during my time away with Like The Wind, and look forward to running with them all in future. The experience was absolutely incredible, but meeting so many people who offered advice and guidance was invaluable. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with the brands you’re passionate about pretty easily and get noticed.

 

A big huge thank you Freestak! I had the most amazing experience in Chamonix and I’m proud to be part of such a great platform designed by people who are passionate about the activities online and offline. I can’t wait to see what the next few years has in store and to start planning my next adventure using it!

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You can read about Sasha’s experience with Like the Wind on her blog – www.sasharuns.com
Find out more about Like the Wind magazine on their website – www.likethewindmagazine.com
If you want to learn more about the Freestak platform and how to sign up – www.freestak.com/influencers