How to Get Brand Deals as a Micro-Influencer or Small Creator

Why Brands Love Working with Small Creators

In the past, big brands primarily partnered with celebrities and mega-influencers for marketing campaigns. However, in recent years, there has been a major shift towards working with micro-influencers (creators with 1,000–100,000 followers). Why? Because small creators have highly engaged audiences that trust them. Here’s why brands love working with micro-influencers:

• Higher Engagement Rates: Small creators often have better engagement than larger influencers. Their followers are loyal and interact more with their content.

• Cost-Effective Marketing: Brands can partner with multiple micro-influencers for the same cost as one big influencer, increasing reach while maintaining authenticity.

• Authenticity & Trust: Smaller creators are often seen as more relatable and genuine, which makes their recommendations more powerful.

• Niche Audiences: Many micro-influencers focus on specific niches, allowing brands to reach highly targeted groups of potential customers.

What Brands Look for in a Creator

Before reaching out to brands or applying for sponsorships, it’s important to understand what companies are looking for in a creator:

• Follower Count: Most platforms require at least 1,000 followers, though some prefer a minimum of 5,000–10,000.

• Engagement Rate: Brands look for creators with engaged audiences who actively like, comment, and share their content.

• Content Quality: High-quality, well-lit, and engaging content increases the likelihood of landing brand deals.

• Consistency: Posting regularly shows brands that you're serious and reliable as a creator.

• Platforms Used: Many brands focus on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and sometimes Twitter, Facebook, or even LinkedIn, depending on their target audience.

20 Influencer Marketing Platforms to Land Brand Deals

An influencer marketing platform is just a platform that connects creators to brands looking to partner. Here are 20 platforms that I recommend. These platforms provide opportunities for paid sponsorships, gifted collaborations, affiliate deals, and more.

1. Aspire

Aspire is one of the most popular influencer platforms, and it specializes in connecting micro-influencers with top brands. And what I love about it is it gives creators from all backgrounds the power to apply to campaigns, earn money, and partner with top brands.

• Requirements: There is a 1K follower minimum requirement across any social platform (Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, Pinterest).

• Types of Deals: Paid sponsorships, product gifting, affiliate programs, and even long-term brand partnerships.

• Sign Up:https://www.aspire.io/influencers

2. Fohr

Fohr is different because it focuses on giving creators the tools that they need to pitch brands and show their worth. Once you connect your social media account they’ll be able to analyze your profiles to Average Reach, Most Engaged Posts, Sponsored Content

• Requirements: No specific follower minimum, but you need to connect your sociala media accounts so brands can see your audience engagement.

• Types of Deals: Paid brand partnerships, product gifting.

  • Bulletin is their influencer dashboard where you can find brand opportunities, questionnaires, and event registrations. By responding to posts, you can express interest in campaigns, events like NYFW, or personal interests such as football or home renovation. Registering increases your chances of being considered for relevant opportunities, and brands may contact you directly if they want to collaborate.

• Sign Up:https://www.fohr.co/for-influencers

3. #paid

#paid is designed to match creators with brands based on their content style and audience, so you don’t have to constantly pitch yourself.

• Requirements: To join #paid as a creator, you'll need a public profile on Instagram or TikTok. We typically look for creators with an engagement rate above 1.5% and an audience of 10,000+. There's no cost to join.

• Types of Deals: Sponsored posts, storytelling campaigns, and content licensing deals. Brands can reach out directly through you based on affinity or you can apply to a number of opportunities through the job board.

• Sign Up: https://hashtagpaid.com/creators

4. Activate

Activate is one of the largest influencer marketing platforms, working with both small and big creators. And on their platform you can Discover new brands, create your own customizable digital media kit to share with brands in one place and manage and negotiate deals directly through your portal.

• Requirements: Usually 1,000+ followers, but higher engagement can help you land better deals.

• Types of Deals: Sponsored posts, affiliate deals, brand ambassador opportunities, and product collaborations.

• Sign Up: https://try.activate.social/

5. IZEA

IZEA is perfect for beginners because they offer paid sponsorships, product collaborations, AND content creation gigs for brands.

• Requirements: No strict requirements! Even small creators with under 1,000 followers can apply.

• Types of Deals: Sponsored posts, video content deals, paid blogging, and freelance content creation gigs.

• Sign Up: https://www.izea.com

6. LTK

LTK is great for anyone who does product based content. So if you’re an influencer that loves to show off your outfit, love to show what you purchased online or at a department store, or what you use in your day to day.

• Requirements: 

  • No min follower account:

  • A public social media profile with consistent, quality original content

  • Content highlighting the brands and products that you love and use

  • An engaged and growing audience

• Types of Deals: This is the platform you want to be on. I like this platform because it’s all in one: Earn commission on sales, aand engage in both gifting and paid partnerships.

• Sign Up: https://company.shopltk.com/en/launchyourltk

  
  

7. Upfluence

Upfluence is a top influencer marketing platform that connects creators with major brands like Amazon and Microsoft. It uses AI-powered matching to help influencers of all sizes, including micro-influencers, land paid sponsorships and long-term brand partnerships.

• Requirements: 5,000+ followers is ideal

• Types of Deals: Paid sponsorships, long-term brand partnerships.

• Sign Up : https://www.upfluence.com/

  
  

8. TRIBE

TRIBE is a great platform for creators because it allows influencers to connect directly with brands and pitch their own content ideas. It focuses on authentic brand collaborations, where creators submit content upfront and get paid if brands choose to use it. This means you don’t need a massive following—just high-quality, engaging content. TRIBE works with major brands in fashion, food, beauty, and lifestyle, making it a solid choice for micro-influencers looking for paid sponsorships.decor.

• Requirements: They classify a creator as someone with 3,000+ genuine followers on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. There is no follower threshold to participate in Pinterest campaigns.

• Types of Deals: Paid sponsorships, social media challenges.

• Sign Up: https://www.tribegroup.co/influencers

9. InfluenceHer

This is a great platform for college students or women with a primarily female audience that are fashionista and "it girls."

• Requirements: 

  • InfluenceHer Collective: 5,000+ followers (or 1,000+ on Youtube) & accounts must be public

    College Fashionista: 1,000+ followers, must be in college, & accounts must be public

    Campus Trendsetters: 1,000+ followers, must be in college, & accounts must be public

    Sampling Squad: must be in college, must be in a registered student organization, & accounts must be public

    Zfluence: 500+ followers, must be excited to share opinions and thoughts on the latest products and trends

• Types of Deals: Paid sponsorships, long-term brand partnerships.

• Sign Up: https://members.hercampusmedia.com/signup

10. Influenster

Influenster is a great way to get free products and gifts in exchange for honest feedback often in the form of social media posts. Just download the app and get started.

• Requirements: Open to all influencer levels.

  • A lot of the programs require members to post on social media. Connect your Instagram account and TikTok account to the Influenster app to become eligible for these exciting opportunities. You can also connect your Facebook and Twitter accounts. The more you connect, the better your chances!

• Types of Deals: Gifting partnerships.

• Sign Up: https://www.influenster.com/

11. Amazon Influencer

As an Amazon Influencer, they give you the tools you need to select the best of Amazon’s products and services, easily recommend them to your followers, and earn commissions on qualifying purchases. You can also inspire customers to shop Amazon’s millions of products by curating your personalized page on Amazon where you can publish your livestreams, shoppable photos, and videos. As a selected member of the program, you may also qualify to be featured across the Amazon site.

• Requirements: Open to all influencer levels.

  • They accept applications from all types of influencers, provided you have a YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok account. If you are applying using an Instagram or Facebook account, you are required to use a business account.

• Types of Deals: Sponsored posts, gifting, and affiliate programs.

• Sign Up: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/influencers

12. Collabstr

Collabstr is great for influencers because it lets you set your own rates and get paid upfront, making brand deals hassle-free. Brands can book you directly for sponsored posts, UGC, or shoutouts, with no long-term commitments.

• Requirements: No min followers. Currently you can list your services for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Amazon, and UGC. They take 15% of completed transactions.

• Types of Deals: Paid brand deals and UGC collaborations.

• Sign Up: https://collabstr.com/creator

13. YouTube BrandConnect

YouTube BrandConnect is a self-service platform that connects creators with opportunities for branded content campaigns. Brands can use our proprietary influencer dashboard to execute their branded content campaigns and identify creators to work with.

• Requirements: 

  • YouTube BrandConnect is in Beta and only available to eligible creators in one of the available countries/regions at this time.

    To participate on the YouTube BrandConnect platform, your channel must meet these minimum eligibility requirements:

    • Be at least 18 years old

    • In the YouTube Partner Program and eligible for revenue sharing from Ads and YouTube Premium

    • Based in one of the available countries/regions

    • No active Community Guidelines strikes

• Types of Deals: Paid sponsorships for YouTube content.

• Sign Up: https://www.youtube.com/brandconnect (go into your Earn tab and click Brand Connect

14. The Plug

• Who They Partner With: App developers, e-commerce brands.

• Requirements: Active TikTok and Instagram presence.

• Types of Deals: App promotions, affiliate commissions.

• Sign Up: https://plugco.in

15. Intellifluence

• Who They Partner With: Consumer goods, tech, and lifestyle brands.

• Requirements: Open to all creators.

• Types of Deals: Paid sponsorships, free product reviews.

• Sign Up: https://www.intellifluence.com

16. Rep

• Who They Partner With: Small to mid-sized brands in fashion, beauty, and wellness.

• Requirements: Active social media presence.

• Types of Deals: Paid brand deals, gifted collabs.

• Sign Up: https://www.repped.io

17. Sway Group

• Who They Partner With: Fortune 500 brands and consumer companies.

• Requirements: 10,000+ followers, high engagement.

• Types of Deals: Sponsored content, long-term collaborations.

• Sign Up: https://www.swaygroup.com

18. Cohley

• Who They Partner With: DTC brands, beauty, and lifestyle companies.

• Requirements: Must create high-quality content.

• Types of Deals: Paid UGC campaigns, product reviews.

• Sign Up: https://www.cohley.com

19. Social Cat

• Who They Partner With: Startups, small businesses.

• Requirements: Instagram or TikTok creators with engaged audiences.

• Types of Deals: Gifted collaborations, paid campaigns.

• Sign Up: https://www.socialcat.com

20. Heepsy

• Who They Partner With: Mid-sized to large brands across industries.

• Requirements: 1,000+ followers, strong engagement.

• Types of Deals: Paid influencer marketing campaigns.

• Sign Up: https://www.heepsy.com

Final Tips for Landing Brand Deals

1. Optimize Your Social Media Profiles: Make sure your bio clearly states that you’re open to collaborations.

2. Engage With Brands You Love: Comment on their posts and tag them in relevant content to get noticed.

3. Create a Media Kit: Have a professional PDF with your stats, audience demographics, and past collaborations.

4. Apply to Multiple Platforms: The more places you sign up, the higher your chances of landing a deal.

5. Stay Professional: Respond to brands professionally, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality content.

By leveraging these influencer marketing platforms, small creators can turn content creation into a real income stream. Start signing up today and get paid to work with brands!

Are you already using any of these platforms? Let me know in the comments which ones have worked for you!