We were lucky to catch up with Samantha Zink recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Samantha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

My very first client was Mary Leest. We connected through my PR network, and one day, we sat down for coffee where I pitched her the idea of representation. It was a spontaneous move, but that’s how things often go in this industry.

During our coffee chat, I told her that I was launching my own agency. Mary had left a larger agency because she felt she wasn’t getting the attention and opportunities she deserved.

So, I laid out my proposal: “Hey, I can represent you. We don’t have to commit exclusively. I’m just starting out and looking for someone to team up with.”

Mary was on board, and that marked the beginning. I started pitching her to brands, tapping into my network of connections with PR agencies, brands, and designers to secure deals for her. She played a pivotal role in getting my agency off the ground. With her million-strong following and solid reputation in NYC, she was a great sell. And she was kind enough to refer me to her influencer friends, which really gave the agency a boost.

I was over the moon with booking Mary and the work flowed seamlessly. It was all about putting myself out there and just asking. If Mary had declined, I would’ve moved on to the next opportunity. But thankfully, she said yes, and it was a success story from day one.

And I still work with her to this day!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

What services do you provide and what problems do you solve for your clients?

At Zink Talent, we’re all about managing influencers. We handle their brand partnerships across various social media platforms, actively pitching them to PR agencies and brands worldwide. We negotiate payment, draft contracts, and help plan content. When it comes to solving problems for our clients, it’s less about putting out fires and more about keeping them ahead of the curve in this rapidly changing industry. Social media moves at warp speed, and our job is to ensure our clients stay relevant for brand partnerships by staying on top of trends, conducting thorough brand research, and forecasting what’s next.

What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients, followers, or fans to know about your brand?

At Zink Talent, we’re not your typical agency. We’re all about that boutique vibe. It’s not just about building a roster; it’s about nurturing relationships like a tight-knit family. We take a modern approach, focusing on more face-to-face interactions and texting, less on the traditional stuff. Our brand is all about intimacy, warmth, and doing things differently in this industry.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was this moment when I shifted gears from PR to influencer management, which was a whole career change in itself. But let’s rewind to the early days of Zink Talent. I had this grand vision of diving into the music industry, managing both music talent and influencers. But here’s the kicker: I didn’t know much about the music biz.

So, I started signing music talent along with influencers, thinking I could figure it out on the fly. Managing emerging music talent was tough; there was tons of work and barely any payoff, especially since most of them weren’t upfront payments. It was all about believing in their potential and hoping for a payday down the line.

Long story short, after six months of juggling both worlds, I had to face the music and admit that I wasn’t feeling the vibe with music management like I thought I would. So, I made the call to pivot entirely to influencers and went all-in on that niche and its truly worked out for the best.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Over the past few years, it’s been a journey of trial and error, especially with the remote setup. One big lesson? Your digital communication game needs to be on point. It sounds silly, but trust me, the tone of your texts and emails can make all the difference. When you’re texting, it’s easy for things to get lost in translation or misinterpreted. So, add in those smiley faces and exclamation marks liberally. It might be a Gen Z thing, but trust me, it works wonders.

I used to be all business in my texts and emails, just quick updates like “do this” or “do that.” But then I realized, a little positivity goes a long way. Now, I make a conscious effort to inject enthusiasm and warmth into my digital messages. It’s amazing how something so small can have such a big impact. I’ve even had team members tell me, “Wow, I was kinda scared of you at first!” Turns out, a smiley face can work wonders.

Another thing: don’t forget to celebrate your team’s wins, big or small. It’s easy to get caught up in pointing out mistakes and areas for improvement, but don’t let those victories slip under the radar. Whether it’s acing an email or nailing a project, give credit where it’s due. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in boosting morale.

Lastly, communication and patience are non-negotiable. Whether you’re training new hires or addressing issues, approach it with patience and clarity. Keep a cool head, even when things get hectic. Remember, how you come across in your communication matters. So, stay positive, stay patient, and keep the lines of communication open. Your team will thank you for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zink-talent.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthazinkovich/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-zink-3408a664/
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/si/podcast/as-told-by-zink/id1648610931 https://www.samanthazink.com/