How to get paid brand deals as a small influencer

by Adorable CEO September 13, 2024

1. Define Your Niche and Audience

Identify Your Niche: Focus on a specific area where you have expertise or a strong interest. This could be beauty, fitness, travel, tech, etc.
Understand Your Audience: Know the demographics, interests, and behaviors of your followers. This information is crucial when pitching to brands.

2. Build a Strong Personal Brand

Create High-Quality Content: Post consistently and ensure your content is engaging, visually appealing, and aligned with your niche.
Develop Your Voice: Be authentic and let your personality shine through your posts. Authenticity helps build trust with your audience and potential brand partners.

3. Engage with Your Audience

Interact Regularly: Respond to comments, engage in conversations, and show appreciation for your followers.
Build Relationships: Engage with your audience through polls, Q&As, and other interactive content to foster a sense of community.

4. Grow Your Social Media Presence

Leverage Multiple Platforms: Expand your reach by being active on various social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter.
Use Hashtags and SEO: Utilize relevant hashtags and optimize your content for search engines to increase visibility.

5. Create a Media Kit

Include Key Information: Your media kit should include your bio, audience demographics, engagement rates, and examples of your work.
Showcase Your Value: Highlight any previous collaborations, notable achievements, and your unique selling points.

6. Reach Out to Brands

Identify Potential Partners: Research brands that align with your niche and audience. Look for companies that have worked with influencers of similar size and focus.
Craft Personalized Pitches: Write tailored pitches that explain who you are, why you love their brand, and how a partnership could benefit both parties. Include metrics from your media kit to demonstrate your value.

7. Join Influencer Platforms

Sign Up for Platforms: Use influencer marketing platforms like AspireIQ, Influencity, or Tribe, which connect influencers with brands looking for collaborations.
Create a Strong Profile: Ensure your profile on these platforms is complete and showcases your best work.

8. Leverage Your Network

Connect with Other Influencers: Network with fellow influencers to share advice, collaborate, and potentially introduce each other to brands.
Attend Industry Events: Participate in virtual or in-person events, conferences, and workshops to meet brand representatives and other influencers.

9. Demonstrate Your Value

Showcase Success Stories: Share case studies or success stories from previous collaborations to illustrate your impact.
Provide Analytics: Use tools to track and present engagement metrics, conversion rates, and other relevant data to prove your effectiveness.

10. Negotiate Fair Compensation

Know Your Worth: Understand industry standards for compensation based on your follower count, engagement rate, and content quality.
Be Professional: Negotiate terms professionally and be clear about what you can offer in terms of deliverables and timelines.

11. Deliver Quality Work

Follow Through: Ensure you meet deadlines and adhere to the agreed-upon terms of the partnership.
Communicate Effectively: Keep the brand informed throughout the campaign and provide regular updates.

12. Build Long-Term Relationships

Maintain Connections: Stay in touch with brands and continue to engage with them even after a campaign ends.
Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback from brands to improve your future collaborations and make adjustments as needed.

By following these steps and consistently providing value, you’ll increase your chances of securing brand deals, even as a smaller influencer. The key is to remain persistent, professional, and proactive in your approach.