Choose ten brands you actually like and propose a 24-hour content creation project which includes free product photography of three different angles within one day. I will work with your product to create three different photos within a day at no cost. The next step depends on your interest in working together. The client obtained her initial brand sponsorship through this approach because her risk-free proposal made it simple for brands to accept her offer despite having only 700 followers. Brands prioritize fast delivery and appealing content over the number of followers they have.
Choose a brand you adore and develop content for them without needing their request. Use their product to create a photo shoot while expressing your love through words and demonstrate to your followers how the product looks when you wear it in your everyday life. Create content with purpose instead of seeking any reward or promotion. Present your work to them by adding their tag while treating the content as if it were an official partnership. When you show authentic passion for a brand they will take notice of your dedication. Small creators who use this approach can secure brand partnerships during the first week because brands respond to authentic stories and energetic content rather than numbers. Your energy should reach out to them.
Don't wait to be discovered - pitch yourself. This week, create a short, high-quality video that highlights your niche, style, and audience engagement. Then tag or email 5-10 brands that align with your content, explaining why you'd be a great fit. Include clear metrics (followers, reach, engagement rate) and one creative idea you'd execute for them. Most creators sit back and wait; proactive outreach paired with authentic, tailored pitches is the fastest way to get on a brand's radar.
If you're just starting out, the fastest way to get on a brand's radar is to join a brand or creator community, like the Skeepers. Communities are where brands go first when looking for creators to include in gifting or UGC campaigns. It's a great way to build initial relationships, get hands-on experience, and start creating real content for brands instead of waiting to be discovered. Brands often go back to creators time and time again to nurture relationship or whitelist the content, especially when that content is done well and performs well. This can be the first step toward building a paid partnership with a brand.
Hi Influencer Hacks Team, My name is Bogdan Bratis, CEO & Founder of Saspod - a podcast production company that helps brands gain visibility and authority through storytelling. https://saspod.com "While working with our clients, producing podcasts and creating reels, we noticed that the story, the content itself, accounts for about 80% of how likely a piece of content is to capture attention. You can record with the best equipment and have the perfect edit, but if the content itself doesn't speak to your target audience, it's all for nothing. It took me quite some time to realise this, but once I did, I began putting most of my effort into creating the best story possible before touching any piece of equipment. So focus on the story, it's crucial, and it's free." "Additionally, as a creator who's just starting out, be sure to take advantage of all the low-hanging fruit opportunities. - Have A Website (Most won't, but you need to own your audience) - Do Digital PR and grow your authority - Learn how to repurpose content, especially in written form - Learn what people want by understanding the basics of SEO" Please let me know if you have any questions about my contribution. Bogdan Bratis
I'd tell them to start engaging authentically in the comment sections of brands they want to work with - not just liking posts, but adding genuine value to conversations. When I was building my real estate business, I noticed that consistently showing up with thoughtful insights on local development posts caught the attention of property management companies who later became partners. The key is being helpful first, not pitchy - brands notice creators who demonstrate expertise and genuine interest in their industry before ever asking for anything.
One of the best things a creator can do to get noticed by brands is to make a spec ad for one you actually love. Pick something you genuinely use; coffee, trainers, a gadget, and create a 15 to 30 second ad that shows off your voice and style. Don't try to mimic or guess what they want, just make something you'd watch twice. Post it on socials, tag the brand (and their marketing team if you can find them), and share a quick BTS to show how you made it. This isn't about going viral, it's about giving brands a reason to imagine working with you. We've done it ourselves and it absolutely works.
This week, try thinking like a micro-ad agency, not just a creator. Pick three brands you genuinely love that fit your content style. Then create one high-quality, 30-second spec ad video for one of those brands. Make it look exactly like a piece of content they'd pay for, tailored to their current marketing goals, like a new product launch or campaign. But here's the crucial part: don't post it anywhere. Keep it private. That exclusivity makes it valuable. Next, find the right person on LinkedIn, usually the Influencer Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, or Associate Brand Manager, and send them a short, professional message. Here's a quick script: Subject: Content concept for [Brand Name] "Hi [Manager's Name], I'm [Your Name], a [your niche] creator and a huge fan of your new [product/campaign]. I loved it so much, I made a 30-second video concept I think your audience would really enjoy. It's not posted anywhere; I made it just for you. Would you be open to me sending you the private link? No strings attached." Why does this work? Because you're not asking for a favor. You're offering value upfront, like a pro creative agency. You've removed all risk by showing them exactly what you can do, and the exclusivity shows respect for their time. This is how you skip the usual lines and get noticed.
You should contact brands that you actually support through their products to create short videos demonstrating your daily usage of their products which you should share organically while tagging them properly. The partnerships team at our company looks for three essential elements before considering a partnership including brand storytelling respect and initiative and alignment with their values. The partnerships team at our company looks for three essential elements before considering a partnership including brand storytelling respect and initiative and alignment with their values. Early-stage creators who follow this approach have achieved significant growth in their audience base. The goal of this approach is to demonstrate your ability to make brands' products relevant to your audience base. The process of turning a single brand tag into an initial business discussion becomes possible through this approach.
When you're starting out, the temptation is to yell for attention. You cold DM brands, tag them in every post, and essentially ask, "What can you do for me?" This is a crowded, noisy game that rarely works because it positions you as just another creator looking for a handout. The people inside these brands—the marketing managers, the community leads—aren't just looking for reach; they're looking for partners who genuinely understand their mission and their audience. Getting noticed isn't about being the loudest; it's about being the most resonant. So, here's a different approach for this week: instead of asking for a brand partnership, create a piece of content that looks like you've already earned one. Pick a brand you truly admire and reverse-engineer a campaign brief for them. Don't just showcase their product; solve a problem for their ideal customer. Think like a strategist on their team. What's a core pain point for their audience? What message is the brand trying to communicate this quarter? Create one piece of thoughtful content that answers that question so perfectly that the brand would have been proud to create it themselves. I once advised a young graphic designer who wanted to work with a popular productivity software company. Instead of just posting nice designs he made with their tool, he created a one-minute video tutorial called "How to Organize Your Entire Freelance Business in 30 Minutes," using their software as the hero. He didn't beg for attention. He simply demonstrated deep empathy for their target user—the overwhelmed freelancer. A community manager at the company saw it, shared it internally, and a month later he was on a paid contract to create more tutorials for them. The best way to get on a brand's radar is to stop trying to get on their radar, and start creating for their customer. True partnerships begin with empathy, not with a pitch.
Create a three-part story series that tells a complete mini narrative—problem, process, and payoff—around your niche. If you're into fitness, show a realistic "before" moment, the small change you made, and the honest result. Tag the products or tools you actually used. Brands don't just want reach—they want proof that you can inspire action. Then turn that same story into a short video and share it on LinkedIn or X with a clear takeaway about what worked. It builds cross-platform consistency and signals authenticity. Most new creators chase trends and disappear in the noise. Brands notice people who show results, stay on-message, and can hold attention without faking it.
Focus on creating one high-quality case study post rather than chasing volume. Choose a product or service you already use, document how it fits into your daily life, and share measurable results—savings, convenience, or emotional connection. Brands pay attention when creators show proof of impact rather than empty promotion. Tag the brand, use relevant hashtags, and post the content across LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok within a 48-hour window for maximum visibility. This approach works because it demonstrates initiative and professionalism at once. Instead of asking for collaboration, you're showing what that collaboration could look like. It mirrors how we evaluate partnerships at Santa Cruz Properties—we notice creators who turn experience into authentic storytelling backed by data. Consistency may build credibility over time, but a single well-executed example can open doors faster than a dozen unplanned posts.
In my advice to a creator that has only begun his/her career, I would suggest using the leverage of micro-influencers cooperation. Find smaller but highly engaged creators within your niche and offer win-win content partnerships, such as shout-outs, guest content, or content exchanges. It can assist in creating awareness within new markets in the shortest time possible, develop credibility, and draw attention of brands who treasure genuine, engaged communities. The best way to jumpstart collaboration and increase your reach is by giving something of value each week: it could be content co-creation, or an exclusive promotion.
Pick one brand you already use and create a post that solves a real problem with their product. Don't tag ten companies—focus on one. Make it personal, practical, and show results. Then share it across platforms, tag the brand once, and engage with their comments section for a few days. Brands notice creators who make their products look useful in real life, not staged. One authentic, well-executed piece beats a dozen generic promos. You're not selling—you're showing value they didn't have to pay for. That kind of initiative gets remembered, and it's often how long-term partnerships start.
A guest from last year created a humorous video while he and his dog relaxed in our bathtub wearing a beer hat. The video showed her natural energy which attracted a pet brand to share it with their audience. The key to success lies in avoiding excessive editing of your content. Create a short video that presents a bold concept which aligns with brand interests such as sleep or recovery or pet wellness. Your content should reflect your authentic lifestyle instead of attempting to create artificial advertisements. Share the content with the brand through direct message and tag them in your post while maintaining a clear intention. Brands identify creators who present their stories more effectively than professional advertising teams.
begin with a single niche fact that the brands never discuss but people actually require. One such example can be a post about roofing tips that does not have another roofing tips post as its counterpart, but a short video demonstrating the various shingles under a garden hose to replicate the hail hitting the roof. Post that clip on Reels, Tik Tok, and YouTube Shorts with a clear tagline that includes your city name and includes local suppliers or contractors. The hyper-local, visual approach is more credible within minutes since it shows actual knowledge rather than a reiteration of advice. Professors of a craft are recognized by the brands, not by the polish. It is not how much, but how clear. Crossing the line into the territory of authority can be achieved even in half a minute when your content assists a person to make a decision.
Partner with a small business or professional in a niche that fits your target audience and then record that partnership in an authentic way. As an example, a wellness creator can collaborate with a Direct Primary Care practice to demonstrate a behind-the-scenes view of preventative medicine or personalized care. Such content establishes immediate credibility as it allows associating your personal brand with experience in the real world. Rather than seeking sponsorships in the cold, prove to be valuable by producing content that would be mutually beneficial. Brands observe the creators who make useful, story-driven works, which educate and are interesting. Even a video or carousel with actionable insights is enough to set yourself apart as an authoritative voice and not another influencer out of exposure. Alliances formulated on common ground are more likely to elicit the appropriate level of interest, long-lasting joint ventures instead of a one-off advertisement.
If you're just getting started and want brands to notice you fast, create a short-form video that reviews or reacts to a brand's product and tag them directly. But here's the key... make it valuable. Don't just praise it, explain how it solves a problem or fits into your lifestyle. Brands are looking for creators who understand their audience and can tell a story, not just post for attention. Do it consistently for a few brands you genuinely like, and watch what happens. Brands notice creators who show initiative, and this kind of organic outreach feels authentic because it is. You're not waiting to get picked, you're already creating.
When a creator is just starting out and wants to get on brands' radar fast, I always recommend running a one-week "Spec Campaign Sprint" for 3-5 dream brands. Instead of waiting to be picked, I act like I've already been hired: I study their current content, their target audience, and their recent launches, then create 3-5 short-form concepts as if I'm on their team. Think: "If I ran [Brand]'s TikTok for 24 hours" or "3 videos [Brand] should post this week." That instantly shows how I think, how I execute, and how I can plug into their goals, not just that I want a deal. What makes this work is how you distribute it. I wouldn't just post the videos and hope; I'd package them into a mini case study thread or carousel: "Here's what I'd do for [Brand], why, and the metrics I'd aim for." Then I'd post natively on the platforms that brand actually cares about (usually TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and LinkedIn), tag the brand, and especially tag individual team members (marketing manager, head of social, founder where relevant). This turns you from "random creator" into "someone who already thinks like an external creative partner," which is a completely different positioning. If I really wanted to maximize this in a single week, I'd follow up every public post with targeted outreach: a short DM or email saying, "I made this for you, here's the 20-second version of my idea and the link." I'd repeat that system weekly for a month, rotating brands in a tight niche so my feed becomes a living portfolio of spec work for companies I want to attract. That combination of proactive creation + smart tagging + direct outreach is one of the fastest ways I've seen creators go from invisible to "We've had our eye on you, let's talk."
This week, create a 'brand match' Instagram story where you showcase a product you already use, explaining specifically how it helps solve a problem in your niche - then tag the brand and three of their competitors. When I started showcasing before/after home transformations featuring specific tools and materials, manufacturers started reaching out asking to be featured. The competitive element creates urgency while demonstrating you understand their market positioning and can translate their value to your audience.