If you’re a small creator—or a mom balancing family, content creation, and your dream of building something of your own—you’re probably wondering where are the sponsorships are hiding??
And I get it. I’ve been there. When I first started looking for brand deals, I didn’t have thousands of followers or a media team. I was creating content during naptime and editing videos between loads of laundry, cooking, or some other task.
Being fully transparent here, although I hope to have a team one day, right now its still just me and I don’t have a huge following either. You can check me out on YouTube, Instagram, & TikTok at MokenchiTV.
I know right, nothign to write home about. But guess what? I get brand deals and brands reach out to pay me for content. That’s how you know and can trust my information, because, hear me loud and clear, we’re in the same boat!
I truly do not have a huge following online. But what I do have is a close knit, engaged audience with a mindset of determination, appreciation and true pride in my content. And THAT, my love, is what brands are coming to really value.
So what’s my secret? I’m here to spill all the beans because I want you to be able to live your dreams out too. It took a lot of research, trials & errors, but over time, I figured out how to find the right brands. The ones that were not only open to creator partnerships but excited to work with creators like you and me.
Let me share how you can do it too. And no, we’re not just talking about big-name brands like Target or Sephora. I’m talking about hidden gem brands—those up-and-coming companies that are actively looking for real people to showcase their products in a relatable way.
1. Look Beyond the Big Brands: Target Up-and-Coming Companies
Big brands are great, but they often work with talent agencies and require massive followings to even get noticed. Instead, focus your attention on brands that are emerging, niche, or locally rooted brands that are hungry to grow and eager for genuine creators to help spread the word.
When I was just getting started, I partnered with a small eco-friendly cleaning company that had fewer than 5,000 followers on Instagram. They found me through a post where I mentioned switching to natural products—and that led to one of my first paid deals.
These smaller brands see you. They value you. And they’re more likely to respond if you approach them authentically.
How to find these brands:
- Browse Etsy or small business marketplaces and note brands with great products but low visibility.
- Scroll through niche hashtags (like #momownedbusiness, #cleanbeautybrand, or #smallbizfinds).
- Visit local markets or expos, these are goldmines for up-and-coming companies. Also use local hashtags like #(Yourlocation)contentcreator ex. #NCContentCreator #CharlotteCreative and so on.
- Pro Tip: If there’s a certain local initiative or catch phrase, definitely zero in on that!
- Explore your current Amazon purchases since many indie brands sell there!
2. Audit the Brand’s Social Media and Website
Before reaching out, do a little research:
- Do they have a strong message that aligns with your content?
- Are they reposting creator content or tagging influencers?
- Do they mention anything about collaborations in their bio? Phrases like “ambassador program,” “DM to collab,” or “partnered with” are good signs.
Also, take note of what kind of creators they’ve worked with in the past. If you see creators with under 10K followers in their feed, that’s a green flag for a nano-influencer like you.
3. Use Platforms That Attract Non-Mainstream Brands
I’ve personally had great experiences with platforms that prioritize nano and micro-influencers, and many of the brands on these platforms aren’t mainstream (yet), which makes them a perfect fit for building long-term relationships.
Some of my favorite platforms:
- Cohley: One of my personal go-tos. I’ve landed paid deals here, and the pitching and submission process is super simple. Many of the brands are looking for fresh faces and unique perspectives.
- AspireIQ: Great for finding small and medium-sized brands. They appreciate well-niched content and don’t require massive followings.
- Popular Pays: A mix of indie and growing brands. If your content is creative and visually strong, this is a great place to stand out.
- People First: A newer platform focused on ethical, creator-first collaborations. Perfect if you want to support mission-based companies.
On these platforms, it’s less about your follower count and more about how well your content and message align with a brand’s mission.
If you’re looking for more platforms like this, click the button below to checkout the 10 Top Websites for Finding Sponsorship Deals.
4. Build Relationships Through Organic Engagement
Brands notice the creators who notice them. And if a brand is smaller, they’re even more likely to respond when you interact authentically.
Here’s what I do regularly (and what you can do too):
- Follow the brand and start engaging with their content consistently.
- Share their posts to your Stories with a thoughtful comment.
- Leave a review of their product in your content, even if it’s not sponsored yet.
- Tag them when you use or talk about their product.
I once did this with a new supplements brand I genuinely liked. I tagged them in a story with no expectations. They saw it, reached out, and we ended up doing a two-month collab.
The key? I wasn’t pitching, I was building a relationship.
5. Pitch with Personalization and Purpose
Once you’ve identified a brand you’d love to work with, it’s time to pitch—but not with a cold, copy-paste message.
Keep it personal:
- Mention something specific you love about their brand.
- Share how your audience would benefit from the partnership.
- Explain how you can bring their product to life through your content (Reels, blog, tutorials, lifestyle photos, etc.)
And don’t forget to prepare a media kit. Since some email filters will block links, don’t send it on the first email but be prepared for their reply. After that point, when its relevant, send your media kit.
It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should include:
- A short bio
- Your audience breakdown (gender, age, interests)
- Engagement rates
- A few screenshots or links to past content
- Optional: brands you’ve worked with before
If you’ve never worked with a brand, that’s okay—highlight your content quality and your unique connection with your audience. Get a couple freebies from platforms or products you have around your home and create content as examples of what you can do.
If you’re looking for more tips on pitching, checkout my Step-By-Step Guide on How To Pitch Brand Sponsorships As A Creator by clicking the button below. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments below the post.
6. Offer Value First: UGC & Mini-Campaigns
If you’re new or the brand seems unsure, offer to create a piece of UGC (user-generated content) as a no-strings-attached sample. This shows them your creative direction and builds confidence in what you can deliver.
You can even suggest a low-barrier partnership like:
- A 3-story Instagram series
- A single TikTok showcasing their product in your daily routine
- A blog or YouTube “first impressions” review
Think of this as a portfolio builder and relationship starter. Once they see your content, many brands will be open to discussing a paid collaboration.
7. Use Your Size to Your Advantage
One of the biggest shifts I had to make as a nano-influencer was recognizing that my small following wasn’t a weakness but instead it was an advantage.
Nano-influencers tend to have:
- ✅ Higher engagement rates
- ✅ More trust with their audience
- ✅ Better conversion rates per follower
These are the exact reasons smart brands want to work with smaller creators.
I started landing more partnerships once I stopped apologizing for my size and started leading with my strengths. And you can too.
Need Help Getting Sponsorship Deals as a Small Creator?
If you’re ready to turn your content into income but still feel unsure where to start, I highly recommend checking out Brand Deal Wizard.
It’s the course I wish I had when I started. Here’s why it’s different:
- You don’t need 10K+ followers to apply what it teaches
- It helps you build systems for pitching, negotiating, and landing deals
- It shows you how to create content brands actually want
- You learn how to position your niche and voice, even as a small creator
It’s where I finally understood that brands are looking for creators who can connect and convert—not just those who can collect likes.
Let’s turn your passion into a paycheck without waiting to “get big.”
Final Words of Encouragement
If you take one thing from this, let it be this: you’re not too small to land brand deals.
You just need to align with the right brands and show them why you’re worth investing in.
- Start with up-and-coming brands.
- Show up authentically.
- Pitch with purpose.
And most importantly—don’t stop.
Because your story, your perspective, and your voice? They’re exactly what someone out there is looking for.
Hello Marlinda
Thanks so much for sharing this well-written and well-explained post on identifying brands that accept smaller creators.I have never worked with a brand and never even tried applying because I always thought my site is too small, my audience was not enough.
But having read your post, I feel confident enough to try and work with brands. But, something you did not mention, how do brands feel about working with foreign language websites?
My main website with decent enough traffic is in the German language( yes, English is not my first language) and my audience is German-speaking. Will this be an issue if I try to work with brands?
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, you`ve given me the confidence I have been lacking in trying to apply to brands.
Hi Roamy,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m truly glad the post helped boost your confidence! You’re definitely not alone in thinking your audience or site size might hold you back, but as you’ve seen, there’s space for creators at every level, especially those who bring something unique to the table.
You brought up a great question about foreign language websites. While many brands do focus on English-speaking markets, there are plenty actively looking to connect with regional and language-specific audiences.
In fact, having a German-language site with a clearly defined audience is a major advantage for brands wanting to expand into the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
Even more, there are many brands within the German market working to grow their visibility with German-speaking audiences and bridge the gap into English-speaking markets. That puts you in a powerful position as a bilingual creator—you can help brands localize their messaging, build trust with your audience, and support cross-market growth. It’s a huge and often overlooked strength.
What matters most is showing that you understand your audience and can help brands connect with them in a meaningful way. I’ll be sharing more soon on how to approach sponsorships as a non-English content creator, so definitely stay tuned!
Wishing you all the best as you take this next step—your voice truly matters.
Warmly,
Marlinda
Wow, you certainly had me thinking out of the box here. I think that is a brilliant idea to reach out to the smaller brands when you are starting out, as you are much more likely to have success with them.
How often do these smaller brands expect you to make posts on behalf of them once you strike a deal. I just want to manage my time expectations before I take on too much.
Hey Michel,
Thank you so much. I’m really glad the idea of starting with smaller brands sparked something for you! It’s such a smart move when you’re building confidence and experience, and it often leads to stronger, more collaborative relationships.
As for how often smaller brands expect posts, that can vary quite a bit, but most starter collaborations involve 1 to 3 posts over a set timeframe. Some may ask for a single post with optional stories or a short follow-up, while others might want content spread out over a few weeks.
The good news is that these details are typically flexible and negotiable, especially with smaller brands that appreciate clear communication.
I’ll be sharing more on managing deliverables and expectations in upcoming content, so stay tuned. Thanks again for your thoughtful question, and I’m excited to see where your journey takes you!
Warmly,
Marlinda
Hi Marlinda,
The section on “Pitch with Personalization and Purpose” really stood out to me—it’s so practical and empowering, especially for someone like me who’s just starting out!
As a stay-at-home mom building a side hustle, I’ve been nervous about reaching out to brands. But the way you broke it down—personalizing the message, focusing on value for the brand, and showing how I can bring their product to life through content like Reels or blog posts—makes the process feel much more doable.
Your tips about the media kit were super helpful, too. I’ve started working on one and appreciate the reminder not to send it right away in the first email. Also, the idea of using what I already have at home to create example content is brilliant! I didn’t think I had anything to “show” until I read that.
Quick question: For someone who hasn’t worked with a brand yet, how many sample posts or content pieces would you recommend including in a first pitch or follow-up?
I’m feeling much more confident after reading this, and I’m definitely checking out your guide on pitching. Thank you again for generously sharing your experience—it’s such a big encouragement for beginners like me!
Hey Alice,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, it truly means a lot! I’m so glad the “Pitch with Personalization and Purpose” section resonated with you, and it’s wonderful to hear that you’re feeling more confident about taking that next step.
As for your question, its great one! If you haven’t worked with a brand yet, including 1 to 3 well-crafted sample posts is a great starting point.
These could be Instagram Reels, blog entries, or carousel posts using items you already have at home (yes, they are absolutely more than enough!). The goal is to show your style, creativity, and how naturally you can weave a product into your content.
You don’t need a full campaign, just enough to give the brand a feel for your voice and visual approach.
I’ll be covering more about this in a future post, especially for creators like yourself who are just starting out. Thank you again for being here, and I’m cheering you on as you build your side hustle!
Remember, your story, especially as a stay-at-home mom, is powerful and valuable to brands!
Warmly,
Marlinda