Brand Deals Aren’t Luck: Here’s What It Takes to Get the Right Ones
Some influencers love to act like brand deals just magically show up in their inbox. Must be nice, right? But, truly, landing brand deals isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy. It’s about knowing your worth, creating content that brands actually want to be a part of, and positioning yourself as an asset.
I’ve been in this industry long enough to see how the game is played. The influencers consistently landing five- and six-figure deals? They didn’t get there by crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. They got there because they treat their platform like a business. And if you’re tired of waiting for brand deals to “happen” to you, I’m about to break down exactly what it takes to make them happen for you.
Become the Kind of Creator Brands Want to Work With
Brands aren’t just looking for influencers with a big following. They’re looking for creators who can convert. That’s the difference between someone getting gifted PR boxes and someone landing five-figure contracts.
Niche Down and Own It
If you’re trying to appeal to everyone, you’re appealing to no one. Be specific about your niche and double down on it. If you’re known for DIY home renovations, don’t randomly start pushing skincare. If your audience follows you for parenting content, don’t suddenly pivot to luxury travel.
The more focused your content is, the easier it is for brands to see where they fit in.
Stop Treating Your Content Like an Afterthought
If your content looks thrown together, brands will assume that’s how you’ll handle a paid partnership too. They want to see quality. They want to see effort.
Are your photos and videos high-quality?
Is your engagement strong? (Likes and comments are great, but saves, shares, and replies in DMs matter even more.)
Do you naturally talk about products you love before you’re paid to?
Brands don’t want to be your test run. If they don’t see you creating high-value content already, they won’t believe you’ll do it for them.
Position Yourself for High-Paying Deals
Your Media Kit Is Non-Negotiable
If you don’t have a media kit, you’re already behind. This isn’t extra—it’s basic. A media kit tells brands:
✔️ Who you are
✔️ What your audience looks like (age, location, interests)
✔️ Your engagement stats (NOT just follower count)
✔️ Your past partnerships (if you have them)
Make it easy for brands to see why your rates are 100% worth the investment. No brand is going to spend time digging through your content to figure it out themselves.
Know Your Numbers (and What They Mean)
A lot of influencers don’t even know their own data. That’s a problem. Brands want to see ROI. They care about:
Your conversion rate (How many people actually buy when you recommend something?)
Your engagement rate (A highly engaged audience is more valuable than a big, passive one.)
Your audience demographics (Are your followers the type of people the brand is trying to reach?)
If you can’t confidently speak on your numbers, you’re not ready to negotiate.
Get on a Brand’s Radar (Without Waiting for Them to Find You)
Waiting around for brand emails to magically appear in your inbox? That’s not a strategy. That’s procrastination. If you want to land brand deals, you need to make the first move.
Engage With Brands BEFORE Pitching Them
A cold email is fine. But you know what’s even better? Making sure a brand already knows who you are before you pitch them.
Follow them on Instagram and engage with their posts.
Organically use their products and tag them in your Stories.
Comment on their content in a way that actually adds value (not just “Love this!”).
By the time you send a pitch, you’re not a stranger—you’re someone they’ve already noticed.
Craft a Pitch That Doesn’t End Up in the Trash
Most influencers’ pitches are bad. Too vague. Too self-centered. Too generic.
Here’s what a brand doesn’t care about:
❌ How much you love their product
❌ How much exposure they’ll get from your audience
❌ Your follower count (unless it comes with engagement + sales power)
Here’s what a brand does care about:
✔️ How you plan to showcase their product in a way that aligns with their goals
✔️ What kind of results you’ve gotten for past brands (or how engaged your audience is if you’re new)
✔️ Whether you have a unique creative angle that sets you apart from every other influencer pitching them
Deliver Like a Pro (So They Want to Work With You Again)
Landing a brand deal is great. Getting hired again? Even better.
Overdeliver on Value
Want a brand to love working with you? Give them more than they expected.
If you promised 1 Reel, throw in an extra Story slide.
If they didn’t ask for behind-the-scenes content, surprise them with some.
Screenshot analytics from sponsored posts to send over 24 hours after the content goes live.
Brands notice. And they remember who made their job easier.
Keep It Professional
Respond to emails on time.
Meet deadlines.
If you hit a snag, communicate it early (not last minute).
You wouldn’t believe how many influencers lose repeat deals because they’re difficult to work with. Brands pay for ease and reliability just as much as they pay for good content.
Stop Hoping, Start Landing Deals
Brand deals aren’t luck. They’re the result of intention, strategy, and execution. If you’re serious about making money as a creator, stop treating it like a hobby and start treating it like a business.
Show brands you can sell.
Position yourself as a valuable asset.
Be the kind of creator brands actually want to work with.
Do that, and you won’t be wondering when your next brand deal is coming in—you’ll be turning down offers that don’t fit.
Need help crafting the perfect pitch? A professional, well-thought-out pitch is what sets you apart in a brand manager’s inbox. Our Pitch Template Bundle includes ready-to-use templates for paid campaigns, product trades, asset-only collaborations, and DM introductions. Each template is already formatted like an email, with bolded areas to fill in your own details—so you can send pitches quickly and efficiently.
Grab the Pitch Template Bundle here and start landing the deals you actually want.
