How to Get Brand Deals in 2025

From TikTok stars to Instagram educators, content creators are rewriting the rules of how business works within entertainment. And at the heart of this thriving creator economy lies one golden opportunity: brand deals.

Here’s the truth: while brand partnerships can be lucrative, landing them takes more than just posting great content. It requires strategy, professionalism, and knowing how to showcase your unique value as a creator.

At Advanced Creative Media, we help creators like you build sustainable income streams, and brand deals are a big piece of the puzzle. Here’s how to make brands notice you, trust you, and pay you what you're worth.

Define Your Niche and Audience

Brands want clarity. They're looking at face value for creators who closely align with who they're trying to target, so niching down and getting specific with your audience is crucial.

Brands are looking for creators with:

• A focused niche (e.g., beauty, fitness, tech, finance)

• An audience that matches their target customers

• Consistent content style and voice

Ask yourself:

• Who do I create content for?

• What problems do I help solve?

• What brands naturally align with my audience’s interests?

Example: A creator focused on sustainable living is a natural fit for eco-friendly brands, sustainable fashion labels, or green tech companies.

Optimize Your Social Media Profiles

Before brands reach out or before you pitch them, they’ll check your digital presence to see what kind of creator you are on social media. They'll want to make sure you closely align with their brand and that you have a good history and aesthetic.

Before you pitch to them (or before they start pitching to you), consider checking your profile per platform for the following:

• Clearly state who you are, and what you create

• Include a professional bio and profile photo that represents you

• Make sure to feature or pin your best performing content

• Have an email contact link or form somewhere on profile

Pro Tip: Create a Linktree or similar page that includes your media kit, email, and top content examples for easy access.

Build a Professional Media Kit

Your media kit is essentially your "brand resume". It should give brands a clearer picture of who you are, what you create, and what your audience looks and acts like.

It's a great opportunity to present a lot of the information you'd be likely to repeat often going brand-to-brand, as well as making it easier for the brands to learn more about you as a creator without manually having to ask.

It should include:

• A short bio describing you and your niche

• Audience demographics (age, location, interests)

• Social media follower counts and engagement rates

• Previous brand collaborations (if any)

• Content samples or case studies

• Pricing ranges (optional)

Why it matters: Brands want data and professionalism. A polished media kit increases your credibility and your chances of getting paid partnerships.

Create Content That Attracts Brands

Even if you’re not working with brands yet, start creating brand-friendly content. Brands will not want to work with you if they do not get the sense that you'll know how to work with them.

Try some of the following ideas:

• Showcase products you love organically

• Demonstrate how you integrate products into your lifestyle

• Keep your content high-quality and well-edited

• Use relevant hashtags that brands monitor

Brands often look for creators already talking about their niche, even if it’s not a sponsored post yet.

Pitch Brands Directly

Brands aren't always going to be hunting down new creators for campaigns, and they may even overlook you if you're unfamiliar. Pitching directly to brands is a fantastic way to get your foot in the door and your name heard. Regardless of whether they're looking for creators in that moment, pitching directly is a great way to increase your chances of being chosen for a campaign when the brand is ready.

Here's how to pitch:

• Research the brand’s recent campaigns and values

• Find the right contact person (often influencer managers or social media teams)

• Send a concise email:

  • Introduce yourself

  • Highlight your niche and audience

  • Suggest a collaboration idea

  • Attach your media kit

Example opening:

“Hi [Name], I’m [Your Name], a content creator focused on [niche] with an audience of [X] followers who love [related topic]. I’d love to discuss how we could partner to showcase [Brand Product] to my engaged community.”

Engage With Brands Publicly

Another fantastic way to show brands that you'd like to partner with them is by engaging publicly with their content. By engaging regularly, your name becomes more familiar to the brand as an avid enjoyer and therefore, you're more likely to be selected for campaigns. We recommend engaging meaningfully, but not spamming, as this will have the opposite effect.

Here are some ideas on how to engage with brands:

• Comment thoughtfully on their posts

• Tag them in organic content

• Participate in their challenges or hashtags

• Share their posts in your stories

Brands notice loyal supporters, and relationships often start with simple engagement.

Leverage Influencer Platforms

Many brands work through influencer marketing platforms that connect creators and companies. These platforms often feature active brand campaigns you can apply to directly.

If you're interested in joining an influencer platform, consider joining Advanced Creative Media's Influencer platform. Learn more here.

Be Transparent About Your Rates and Deliverables

Upon completing the steps above, chances are you'll have brands begin reaching out to you for collaboration opportunities. This is now the time when you should negotiate. It's important to be honest about the workload and what you believe is fair compensation given your demographics.

When negotiations begin:

• Know your worth (based on your audience size and engagement)

• Be clear about deliverables: how many posts, stories, videos, etc.

• Discuss timelines, usage rights, and exclusivity

• Always get agreements in writing

Pro Tip: Start tracking your rates and results so you can negotiate confidently in future deals.

Deliver Outstanding Results

Congratulations on obtaining your first brand deal! You're on your way towards monetizing your content creation craft in a sustainable, yet fun way. Don't stop at your first brand deal, though - keep the train moving!

Once you land a brand deal:

• Follow the brief carefully

• Deliver content on time

• Be creative and authentic

• Communicate proactively with your brand partner

Happy brands become repeat partners (and often refer you to others)!

Brand Deals Can Be Life-Changing

Brand deals can transform your content career from side hustle to sustainable income. But they don’t happen overnight. By being strategic, professional, and true to your voice, you’ll attract the right partners and build long-term success.

At Advanced Creative Media, we’re passionate about helping creators thrive. Ready to elevate your brand partnerships? Reach out to us, we’d love to help you grow.

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FAQs About Getting Brand Deals as a Content Creator

Do I need a huge following to get brand deals?

No! Brands increasingly value micro-influencers (1,000 – 50,000 followers) because of their high engagement rates and niche audiences. Authenticity often matters more than follower count.

Should I charge brands or work for free products?

Free products can be a good starting point, especially for creators with minimal experience or smaller audiences.

What’s the biggest mistake creators make when pitching brands?

Generic pitches! Brands want to know why you’re a perfect fit. Customize each pitch, show you’ve researched the brand, and suggest creative ideas.

How do I calculate my rates?

Consider your follower count, engagement rates, content quality, time investment, and usage rights.

Is it okay to say no to a brand deal?

Absolutely. Don’t promote products that don’t align with your values or your audience’s interests. Staying authentic builds trust, and your long-term reputation.