How to Get Your First Brand Deal as a Small Content Creator

If you’re a small content creator looking to land your first brand deal, you’re not alone!

Getting that initial partnership can feel like a huge milestone—and it is—but it’s more achievable than you might think.

I’m here to break down exactly how I landed my first brand deal and how you can too, even with a smaller audience.

You don’t need a massive following to work with brands—you just need to know how to showcase your value.

Why Small Creators Can Still Land Brand Deals

First things first: brands love working with small creators.

Why? Micro-influencers often have more engaged, loyal audiences, which can be more valuable than having millions of passive followers.

Even if you’re just getting started, your ability to genuinely connect with your audience is a huge selling point.

Brands are starting to realize that small creators have the power to move their target audience toward action—whether it’s getting them to purchase a product, try out a service, or spread the word.

As long as you can show that you’re a good fit for the brand’s goals, you’re in a strong position to secure a partnership.

Step-by-Step Guide to Landing Your First Brand Deal

Here are my top tips and strategies to help you land your first brand deal as a small content creator:

1. Build a Strong Personal Brand

Before reaching out to brands, it’s important to know who you are as a creator and what you offer. Focus on creating high-quality content that aligns with your niche. Brands are looking for creators who are consistent, authentic, and who know how to engage their audience.

Define your niche clearly (fashion, beauty, tech, lifestyle, entrepreneurship, etc.).
Stay consistent with your content and posting schedule.
Engage with your followers through comments, stories, and social media.

2. Showcase Your Engagement Over Numbers

When you’re just starting out, brands may not expect you to have a huge following.

Instead, they’ll be interested in your engagement rate—how well your audience interacts with your content. If your followers are liking, commenting, and sharing, that’s a good sign that your content resonates.

Pro Tip: You can calculate your engagement rate by dividing the total number of likes and comments by your total number of followers and multiplying by 100.

3. Put Together a Media Kit

A media kit is like a resume for content creators. It shows brands why they should work with you, your audience demographics, engagement stats, and previous collaborations.

Don’t worry if you haven’t worked with a brand before—just focus on showcasing your best content and audience insights.

Here’s what to include in your Media Kit:

A brief bio about you and your content.
Audience demographics (age, location, gender).
Engagement rates, follower count, and post performance.
Examples of past work or content.

4. How to Reach Out to Brands

One of the most intimidating parts of getting a brand deal is reaching out to brands—but it doesn’t have to be!

Brands are always looking for creators who align with their vision, so don’t be afraid to shoot your shot.

You can send a simple, professional email introducing yourself, sharing your content, and explaining why you’d love to collaborate.

Don’t forget to highlight how you can help the brand reach their goals—whether it’s through engagement, authentic storytelling, or targeted content creation.

Here’s a template you can use when reaching out to brands: ⬇️

Subject: [Your Username] and [Brand Name] Collaboration

Dear [Brand Name or Contact Name],

I hope this message finds you well! My name is [Your Name], and I run [Your YouTube Channel or Social Media] where I create content about [Your Niche]. I’ve been a fan of [Brand Name] for a long time and believe your products align perfectly with my audience of [Type of Audience/Follower Count].

My viewers love learning about [relevant topic], and I think featuring [specific product or service] from [Brand Name] in my upcoming content could be a fantastic fit. I’d love to explore the possibility of collaborating with your team to create engaging content that highlights [Brand Name’s] unique value.

I’ve attached my media kit, which includes more details about my audience demographics and past collaborations. Let me know if this is something that interests you – I’d be thrilled to work together!

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your YouTube Channel or Website]
[Social Media Handles]

When sending this, make sure to personalize it for each brand. Take the time to research their products, values, and recent campaigns the brand has done with other creators in your niche.

The more personalized your pitch, the more likely you are to stand out.

5. Promote Your Content Consistently

Once you start reaching out to brands, stay active and consistent on your platforms. Your content is your portfolio, so make sure it’s a reflection of your best work. Brands want to see that you can consistently deliver high-quality, engaging content that speaks to your audience.

6. Don’t Wait for Brands to Reach Out

A common mistake I see new creators make is waiting for brands to reach out to them.

While that does happen, the most proactive way to secure your first brand deals as a small creator is by reaching out to them first.

Start small by approaching brands you already use and love. Your passion for their products will shine through, and that’s something brands value.

How I Landed My First Brand Deal (Before I Was Monetized on YouTube!)

Here’s a little secret: you don’t have to be monetized on YouTube or Instagram to land a brand deal!

In fact, I got my first brand deal before I was monetized on YouTube.

Want to know how I did it? Click the image below to check out my latest YouTube video, where I break down exactly how much money I made in my first month of being monetized and how I secured my first brand deal with less than 5000 subscribers.

Final Thoughts

Getting your first brand deal as a small content creator is totally possible, even with a smaller audience.

Remember, it’s all about showing your value and connecting with brands that align with your content. Follow these steps, reach out to brands with confidence, and you’ll be landing your first partnership in no time.

Got any questions or want more tips? Leave a comment below or check out my YouTube channel for more advice on growing your brand as a creator!