Blog - From 0 to 100: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your First Brand Deal
As a content creator, sponsorship deals are essential for taking your channel to the next level. Without sponsorship, it can be incredibly difficult to make a living off of your content. In this blog, I'll show you the best ways to get sponsorship deals, no matter how many subscribers or followers you have. From creating great content to reaching out to brands directly, I'll cover everything you need to know to get started. So if you're ready to take your channel or social media to the next level, watch this video and learn how to get brand deals like a pro!
Introduction
Creating great content is one of the best ways to get sponsorship deals. When it comes to getting sponsorship deals, a lot of people seem to think that you need to have a huge audience. This simply isn't the case. In this guide, I will show you how to get your first sponsorship deal – no matter how small your audience is. We'll cover everything from creating an effective pitch deck to approaching brands and negotiating sponsorship agreements. So whether you're just starting out or you've been at it for a while, read on for some invaluable tips!
Creating Content That Brands will Sponsor
In order to get sponsorship deals as a content creator, it's important to create great content. This involves creating videos that are engaging and interesting, while also staying on-brand for the sponsorships you're seeking. For example having a rough niche will be beneficial as it will open up opportunities for you from brands that are on the look out for micro-influencers. So for me having a good tech knowledge and fan base in that niche means I would be ideal for "tech that would be useful for students". Also, producing quality content (in this case I am talking less about the video quality and more about content quality) can make a big difference e.g. producing relatively short, easy to watch and engaging videos.
Be Proactive
One of the best ways to increase your chances of getting a sponsorship is to reach out to brands directly. This involves sending a pitch deck (a proposal outlining why the brand should sponsor your content) and following up with the brands you're interested in working with. It's important to make sure that your proposal is well-crafted and easy to read. In addition, be sure to tailor your pitch specifically for the brands you're interested in working with. For example, if you're a fitness content creator, you might want to reach out to sports brands. If you are a tech creator, approach startups or companies small companies who may be interested in you showcasing their product as part of their video or perhaps making a full video reviewing their product. Make sure you set yourself apart by being flexible and creative in your way of promoting their brand. The more deals you make, the more you can use that to leverage yourself when approaching other brands. An example email approach would be:
Finally, be sure to follow up with the brands you're interested in working with. Following up shows that you're serious about sponsorship and can help seal the deal.
The Art of Negotiation
Even if you're a seasoned negotiator, negotiating deals might be tough because it's your first time. The vast majority of businesses consider your metrics such as engagement, viewership count, subscribers, etc. to estimate your value. However, don't undervalue yourself. If you have a slick and engaging approach for promoting their product or service that is worth highlighting , outlining it can help you get paid more. To have a general understanding of how much time and effort you'll need to put in when negotiating with future sponsors, calculate the amount of engagement you think would be reasonable for them. After your first successful deal, you can renegotiate and have a better idea with future sponsors. Always try and be flexible with your first deal and show potential long-term commitment as a way to get a better deal.
Honour Your Commitment
Once you have landed a sponsorship deal, it's important to make the most of it. This means staying on-brand for the sponsorship and producing great content that the sponsor will be happy with. Additionally, be sure to thank the sponsor for working with you, and promote the sponsorship wherever you can. Thanking the sponsor is important because it shows that you appreciate their support. Additionally, promoting the sponsorship helps get the word out about the sponsorship deal, which can help attract new sponsors in the future.
Conclusion
Now that you know the different ways to get sponsorship deals, it's important to remember that the most important part is creating great and consistent content. In addition, be sure to follow up with brands and negotiate effectively. Finally, make the most of your sponsorship by promoting it where possible. Thanks for reading!