Many people on TikTok assume that only big influencers with millions of followers get high-paying brand deals on TikTok. But no! Here is the truth! Small influencers, also known as micro-influencers, are now getting amazing sponsorships, too! In fact, brands are now actively looking for smaller creators because only they often have higher engagement rates and a loyal audience. Many brands use TikTok counter to check on micro influencers’ real-time followers. So, how do you attract high-paying brand deals as a small creator? Come on, let us help you with it step by step!
1. Focus on Building an Engaged Community
Brands care more about engagement than just follower count. So, a creator with 10,000 followers and strong engagement is often considered more valuable than someone with millions of followers but low interaction.
How to Increase Engagement?
You can reply to comments to show your audience that you really value them. Encourage interaction by using CTAs (Call-to-Actions). You can go for live sessions regularly to build deeper connections with your audience. Engagement is what comes first and is very important for small influencers. Because engagement is what nurtures your community, and brands will eventually start noticing them.
2. Pick a Niche
Brands love creators who have a clear niche. Here, we are not saying that you should limit yourself, but having a consistent theme or niche will make your profile more appealing to sponsors with the same niche.
Say you are all about fitness one day and skincare the next day. In this case, brands may not know how to categorize you. But if you focus only on content related to fitness, fitness brands, and related companies will be more likely to reach out to your account. So, choose a niche that you really love so that your content feels real.
Best Niches for Brand Deals:
- Beauty & Skincare
- Food & Cooking
- Fashion & Lifestyle
- Fitness & Wellness
- Gaming
- DIY & Crafts
3. Create High-Quality Content
Come on, who said you need expensive equipment to create high-quality content? Yeah, you do not need any expensive cameras or studio lighting to create amazing TikTok content. You can make professional and high-quality content just with your smartphone itself. You should not worry even if your videos are not perfect. Being consistent is what matters more than perfection. Just post content regularly, and you will improve over time.
Simple Ways to Improve Video Quality:
- Use natural light itself. To get them, you can just film your video near a window for the best lighting.
- Keep your background clean because only a clean space will make your video look good.
- Use trending sounds, as brands love working with creators who understand TikTok trends and adapt to them easily.
- Try to hook your viewers in the first 3 seconds itself. As attention spans are short, you have to make the start so interesting!
4. Tag & Mention Brands in Your Videos
One of the fastest ways to get noticed by brands is by creating content mentioning their products without making it feel like a commercial ad. Brands love seeing organic content that gets more reach and love before offering paid partnerships with you, so start tagging them in your videos.
How to Do This?
- Use a brand’s product in your videos and tag them.
- Add hashtags related to the brand.
- Make a product review or tutorial featuring a brand.
5. Pitch Yourself to Brands
Are you seriously waiting for brands to reach out to you? That is the biggest mistake you are making. If you want something, you have to take control by pitching yourself to companies that you love. While pitching brands, you have to keep the message short and professional. Because most brands don’t have time to read long messages.
How to Pitch to Brands?
- Find the brand’s PR or marketing contact. It will usually be available in their Instagram bio or website.
- Send a short email or DM to introduce yourself.
- Highlight your engagement rate, audience, and why you are a good fit.
- Include links to your best TikTok videos.
6. Set Your Rates & Know Your Worth
Brands may try to provide low prices to small influencers. So make sure that you do not accept free products unless you genuinely want them. Your time and content have so much value here.
How Can You Set Your Rates?
- Under 10K followers: $50–$200 per video
- 10K–50K followers: $200–$500 per video
- 50K–100K followers: $500–$1,000 per video
7. Join Influencer Marketplaces
Signing up for influencer platforms can help you connect with brands that are actively looking for TikTok creators. The more platforms you are on, the more opportunities you will get from it. Once brands start noticing you, they will use the TikTok Counter app to check your real-time followers and decide whether to choose you or not.
Let’s Have a Quick Wrap
Brands are now focusing on authenticity and engagement. This simply means small influencers have more opportunities than ever before. You can get high-paying brand deals even with just a few thousand followers. All you just need is the right strategy and confidence to create content!
