Beyond the Beats: Your Ultimate Influencer Guide to Conquering Festival SeasoN
Festival Season is Coming: Turn Your Vibe into Views
Hey Creators!
Can you feel it? The buzz in the air, the lineup announcements dropping, the sudden urge to wear glitter?
That’s right – festival season is upon us! From the iconic desert stages of Coachella to the eclectic fields of Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, Stagecoach and countless others, these events are more than just music gatherings.
For savvy influencers, they represent a golden opportunity to create killer content, connect with brands, grow your audience, and yes, turn your passion into profit.
As your influencer big sis, I'm here to help you move beyond simply attending festivals and start leveraging them strategically.
It's time to think like a pro. So, grab your portable charger, and let's dive into how you can make this festival season your most impactful yet.
Why Festivals are an Influencer Goldmine?
Before we get into the "how," let's understand the "why":
High-Energy, Unique Content: Festivals offer visually stunning backdrops, unique fashion moments, and raw, authentic experiences that audiences love. Think vibrant stages, crowds, art installations, and candid moments.
Engaged Audiences: People following festival hashtags (#Coachella2025, #FestivalFashion, #MusicFestivalLife) are actively looking for inspiration and FOMO-inducing content.
Brand Magnet: So many brands activate at festivals – fashion, beauty, beverage, tech, automotive, CPG – making it prime territory for spotting potential partners and fulfilling existing collaborations authentically.
Networking Hub: You're surrounded by other creators, photographers, brand reps, and industry insiders. It's networking, but way more fun.
Getting Your Foot in the Door: Securing Access Strategically:
Okay, you want to go, but how? Attending as an influencer often requires more than just buying a ticket (though that's always an option!).
Pitching Brands for Sponsored Tickets: This is the ideal scenario. Identify brands whose target audience aligns with the festival demographic (and your own!). Develop a killer pitch showcasing the value you offer:
Your Media Kit: Updated stats, audience demographics, past successful campaigns.
Tailored Content Plan: Specify exactly what deliverables you'll provide (ex. X Instagram posts, Y Stories with specific tags, Z TikTok videos featuring their product naturally within the festival environment).
Highlight Your Niche: Are you focused on festival fashion, sustainable festival living, the foodie scene, the music discovery aspect? Emphasize your unique angle.
Start EARLY: Brands finalize festival budgets months in advance. Don't wait until the last minute!
Applying for Media/Press Passes: If you have a significant blog, publication feature history, or a large, engaged following, you might qualify for official media credentials from the festival itself. Check their website for application details well in advance.
Collaborating with Attending Brands: Maybe a brand can't offer a ticket, but they are activating on-site. Pitch them for a collaboration where you visit their booth/experience and create content around it.
Purchasing Your Ticket: If sponsorships don't pan out this time, consider investing in a ticket yourself. You can still create amazing organic content, build relationships for the next festival, and potentially recoup costs through future brand deals secured because of the content you created.
Content is Queen (and King!): Planning Your Festival Coverage.
Don't just show up and hope for the best. Plan your content!
Develop Content Pillars: What themes will you focus on?
Fashion: #OOTD breakdowns, styling tips, sustainable choices.
Music: Artist discovery, set reviews, capturing the live energy.
Experience: The food, the art, the camping/lodging, navigating the grounds.
Behind-the-Scenes: The real, raw moments – getting ready, travel, maybe even the occasional long line (authenticity!).
Brand Integrations: How will you weave sponsored content in naturally?
Don't just show up and hope for the best. Plan your content!
Create a Shot List (Loosely): Have ideas for specific types of photos or videos you want to capture (e.g., golden hour shots, transition videos, specific landmarks).
Mix Your Formats: Leverage static posts, carousels, Reels, TikToks, Stories (use polls, Q&As!), and maybe even go Live.
Think Authenticity: Yes, get the 'perfect' shot, but also capture the genuine vibe. Show the energy, the community, the occasional controlled chaos. People connect with realness.
Tagging is Key: Tag the festival, artists, brands (sponsored AND organic if you love something!), location, and even fellow creators you link up with. Use relevant and trending hashtags.
Monetizing the Magic: Turning Attendance into Income
Let's talk profit!
Secure Paid Brand Deals (Pre-Festival): As mentioned, pitch brands for sponsored attendance, outfit partnerships, product features (sunscreen, portable chargers, camping gear, beauty products).
Affiliate Links: Share links to your outfits, gear, or even travel booking sites you used. Ensure proper disclosure (#ad, #affiliate).
Fulfill Deliverables: If you have brand deals, prioritize capturing high-quality content that meets (and exceeds!) their expectations. Timely communication is crucial.
Create Content That Attracts Future Deals: Even if you attend organically, create the kind of high-quality, engaging festival content that brands want to be associated with next time. Use it as a case study in future pitches.
Post-Festival Content: Re-purpose your footage! Create blog posts ("My Top 5 Festival Survival Tips"), YouTube vlogs, detailed outfit guides, or even sell Lightroom presets based on your festival edits.
FESTIVAL SEASON IS HERE!!!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS - Festival Season is Rolling! 🗓️ We've just wrapped Coachella Wknd 1, but coming up FAST:
Coachella Weekend 2: April 18-20
Stagecoach: April 25-27
EDC Las Vegas: Mid-May
Governors Ball NYC: Early June
Bonnaroo: Mid-June
(And SO many more regional fests!)
The Influencer Festival Survival Guide: Practical Tips
Pack Smart: Portable chargers (plural!), comfortable shoes (non-negotiable), layers for changing weather, sunscreen, hat, basic toiletries, blister plasters, earplugs (for sleeping and protecting hearing).
Stay Connected (Strategically): Cell service can be notoriously bad. Download offline maps and schedules. Don't be glued to your phone– capture content efficiently, then soak in the experience. Plan charging times.
Hydrate & Fuel: Seriously. Keep water on you and remember to eat. You can't create great content if you're drained.
Safety First: Use the buddy system, be aware of your surroundings, and keep valuables secure.
Network Naturally: Don't be overly transactional. Connect with people genuinely. Visit brand activations, introduce yourself briefly, and focus on building relationships. Follow up later!
Beyond the Stages: Pre- and Post-Festival Strategy
Before: Research the lineup, map, brand activations. Set clear goals for content and networking. Plan your travel and accommodation. Pitch EARLY.
After: Organize and back up your content IMMEDIATELY. Send reports/analytics to sponsors promptly. Follow up with new contacts. Engage with comments and questions on your posts. Plan how you'll repurpose your content. Analyze what worked well and what you'll do differently next time.
Ready to Rock Festival Season?
Festival season offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your influencer game. It requires planning, strategy, hard work, and yes, a love for the experience itself.
By focusing on providing value, creating authentic content, and building genuine connections, you can turn these vibrant gatherings into significant milestones for your brand and business.
Now get out there, capture the magic, and make this festival season your most profitable and passionate one yet!
Bonus: Festival content Ideas (even if you aren’t attending? tap into this trending topic: ⬇
Predicting 2025 festival fashion trends
What I’d wear to Coachella if I were going (yes, use this popular, searchable moment even if you aren’t attending)
Rate my festival looks with me
Styling (festival name) looks with staple pieces in everyone’s closet
Thrift a festival look with me
Restyling/Recreating (celebrity/influencer’s festival look) for 2025
How I’d style “Celebrity” for Coachella
Where to shop for festival looks (affordable edition)
Practical outfit options for festival season
so tell me….
What are YOUR festival plans this year? Share in the comments below– I'd love to hear which events you're hitting! And if you need help crafting that perfect brand pitch or developing your festival content strategy, you know where to find me.
Make it stand out
My client, Becca will be attending Stagecoach later this month as well as Lolapalooza at the end of July. We did our homework on what to wear this festival season and I wrote a Substack post about it!! HERE are the Festival Fashion Trends to know!!
PS: I am currently casting a brand trip headed to one of these amazing festivals!! If YOU want to apply?
Email us: Support@influencewithkatie.com for more info!!
