Collabed
How to Land Your First Brand Deal as a Content Creator
Landing your first brand deal as a content creator feels like a major milestone—and it absolutely is! But the path from posting content to getting paid partnerships doesn't have to be mysterious. With the right approach, even creators with smaller followings can secure meaningful collaborations with brands they love.
Whether you're a TikTok creator, Instagram influencer, or YouTube content maker, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to land your first brand deal, from building your foundation to negotiating your contract.
Step 1: Build Your Content Foundation
Before reaching out to brands, you need to establish yourself as a reliable content creator. This doesn't mean you need 100K followers—it means you need consistency and quality.
- ✓ Post consistently: Aim for at least 3-4 posts per week for 2-3 months before pitching brands.
- ✓ Define your niche: Focus on specific topics like fitness, beauty, tech, or lifestyle rather than posting randomly.
- ✓ Engage authentically: Respond to comments and build genuine relationships with your audience.
- ✓ Track your metrics: Know your engagement rate, best-performing content types, and audience demographics.
Step 2: Research the Right Brands
Not every brand will be a good fit for your content or audience. Smart brand selection is crucial for landing your first deal and building long-term partnerships.
How to Find Brands to Work With:
- • Look at what brands similar creators in your niche are promoting
- • Check out brands you already use and love in your daily life
- • Use hashtags like #ad, #sponsored, #partnership to discover active brands
- • Browse influencer marketing platforms like AspireIQ, Upfluence, or Creator.co
Pro Tip
Start with smaller, direct-to-consumer brands rather than huge corporations. They're often more willing to work with newer creators and respond faster to pitches.
Step 3: Create Your Media Kit
Your media kit is your professional calling card. It should be visually appealing but focus on the numbers and information brands care about most.
Essential Media Kit Elements:
- • Your photo and bio: Professional headshot and 2-3 sentence description
- • Platform statistics: Followers, average views, engagement rate for each platform
- • Audience demographics: Age, gender, location, interests
- • Content examples: 6-8 of your best posts with performance metrics
- • Services and rates: What you offer and starting prices
- • Contact information: Email and response time expectations
Step 4: Craft the Perfect Pitch Email
Your pitch email is often your first impression with a brand. Keep it concise, professional, and focused on what you can do for them—not what they can do for you.
Email Structure That Works:
Subject Line Examples:
- • "Partnership Opportunity: [Your Handle] x [Brand Name]"
- • "Content Creator Collaboration Proposal"
- • "Authentic [Niche] Content for [Brand Name]"
Email Template:
Hi [Brand Name] team,
I'm [Your Name], a [niche] content creator with [follower count] engaged followers on [platform]. I've been a genuine fan of [brand] for [specific reason], and I'd love to create authentic content featuring your products.
My audience consists primarily of [demographic details] who are actively interested in [relevant topics]. My recent posts average [engagement metrics], and I specialize in [content types that align with their brand].
I'd be excited to create [specific content proposal] featuring [specific products]. Please find my media kit attached with full statistics and previous collaboration examples.
I'm available for campaigns starting [timeframe] and would love to discuss how we can create content that resonates with both your brand goals and my audience.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Contact Information]
Step 5: Master the Follow-Up
Most brands receive dozens of partnership emails daily. A professional follow-up can be the difference between landing the deal and being forgotten.
- • Wait 7-10 business days before your first follow-up
- • Keep follow-ups brief and add new value (recent post performance, new ideas)
- • Send a maximum of 2-3 follow-ups before moving on
- • Always remain professional and gracious, even if declined
Step 6: Negotiate Like a Pro
When a brand shows interest, don't just accept their first offer. Professional negotiation shows you value your work and understand the business.
Key Negotiation Points:
- • Payment terms: 50% upfront, 50% upon delivery is standard
- • Usage rights: Clarify where and how long they can use your content
- • Deliverables: Be specific about number of posts, platforms, and deadlines
- • Exclusivity: Negotiate fair exclusivity periods (30-90 days is typical)
Step 7: Deliver Exceptional Results
Your first brand deal sets the tone for your entire creator career. Exceed expectations to build long-term relationships and secure glowing references.
Success Checklist
- ✓ Submit content 24-48 hours before deadline
- ✓ Follow brand guidelines exactly
- ✓ Include all required hashtags and mentions
- ✓ Send performance metrics after posting
- ✓ Respond to brand feedback quickly and professionally
Frequently Asked Questions
How many followers do I need to get my first brand deal?
You don't need a huge following to land your first brand deal. Many brands work with micro-influencers who have as few as 1,000-5,000 engaged followers. Focus on building authentic engagement rather than just follower count.
How much should I charge for my first brand deal?
For your first deal, consider charging $10-50 per 1,000 followers for a single post, depending on your niche and engagement rate. Don't undervalue yourself, but be realistic about your starting rates.
What should I include in my brand pitch email?
Include a brief introduction, your key statistics (followers, engagement rate), examples of your best content, why you're a good fit for their brand, and your rates or media kit.
How long does it typically take to hear back from brands?
Response times vary widely. Some brands respond within a few days, while others may take 2-3 weeks. Always follow up politely after 1-2 weeks if you haven't heard back.
Ready to Land Your First Brand Deal?
Use Collabed to track your first deal and stay organized from day one. Manage outreach, negotiations, deliverables, and payments all in one place.