Every creator wants to know how to get brand deals. They want to know what it’s like to work on a lucrative campaign and why they haven’t reached that magical point. Until it happens, they imagine having an overflowing bank account and plenty of sponsors.

The Truth About Getting a Brand Deal on YouTube

 side – what brands wished creators knew. It’s a better approach, especially if you want to discover what makes a brand say, “You’re hired.”

, product marketing specialist at TCL Communication. As a public relations expert, Hornick works with influencers to make brand deals happen. Now he's helping creators understand what brands are truly looking for.

If you’re wondering how to get brands to sponsor you, here are five things to know before sending a pitch.

1. Brands Don’t Always Care About Subscriber/Follower Count

Did you know that selling products isn’t the goal of every campaign? Some brands want to raise awareness so people know they exist. They also want to collect content from creators and repurpose it on social media.

There are different campaign types, and brands need different kinds of creators to make them successful.

Someone with 500,000 subscribers can drive awareness, but what about other, more concrete goals? If we’re talking about email sign-ups and purchases, 

companies need the best creators for those outcomes

. And that’s not always a mega influencer.

Plus, brands are cautious when seeking prominent, successful creators.

“No shots intended, but there are plenty of people out there with [lots of followers], and I can tell you that 90% of them are all bots,” Hornick says.

It’s OK to start where you are with the subscribers you have. 

There will always be brand deals for small YouTubers and other creators.

To reach different campaign goals, brands look for:

Nano-influencers (1,000-10,000 followers)

Micro-influencers (10,000-50,000 followers)

Macro-influencers (100,000-1,000,000 followers)

2. Your Tweets Can Make or Break a Brand Deal

Most people don’t realize, but cringey tweets from the past are easy to find, Hornick says. All it takes is an advanced Twitter search and 

: Everyone knows your worst takes and opinions.

A non-creator doesn’t have to worry as much, but anyone building a brand on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram does. Creators get searched more because brands want to know who they’re sponsoring ahead of time.

“If we’re doing a deep dive on you, and you’re popping off and saying some pretty gnarly stuff – and I don’t mean having political opinions," Hornick says. "It doesn’t matter if you’re left, right, middle. I don’t really care in that regard. But if you’re dropping racist epitaphs and saying some really awful things, then….”

At that point, Hornick fell silent and sucked his teeth against the mic, as if to say, “No more sponsorship.”

3. You Can Be Honest About a Brand and its Products

Brands aren’t perfect, and neither are their products. It’s OK to give your honest review of something, 

even if you’re getting paid to make the company look good

. On YouTube, you are responsible to your audience first and brands second.

Admittedly, not all companies will understand. That’s why partnering with the right brands leads to better sponsorships. Your audience will appreciate you for sharing the truth, and the brand will improve through consumer feedback. Everyone wins.

“I ask for fairness, and I ask for honesty,” Hornick says. “That’s it. I want you to highlight the things we do well, and in fairness, you need to highlight the things we maybe don’t do well – maybe the areas we need to improve – and then be accurate and truthful.”

Public relations specialists get hundreds of emails.

Standing out from the competition takes more than a good subject line. The body of the email has to be persuasive, too, because that’s where you’ll pitch brands.

 even for those just seeking products to review:

Not emailing the right person (find the press center or public relations specialist)

Not sharing important information, such as who you are, what you do, details about your audience, and your 

If you want to get a paid brand sponsorship

Ideas around how you’d center the brand in sponsored content

The value you bring by sharing the brand with your audience

Examples of past campaigns and how they performed

11 Companies Matching YouTubers with Amazing Brand Deals

5. Sometimes You’re Not the Best Fit for a Campaign. It’s Not Personal.

 who’s extremely vocal about hating Samsung Galaxy phones. You own plenty of iPhones, and most of your videos are about Apple technology, not Android. What are the chances you’ll get sponsored by Samsung?

A brand won’t contact you if your messaging doesn’t align with theirs; it just doesn’t make sense. Assuming your audience feels the same as you, the brand would be targeting the wrong consumers.

Of course, Hornick says there are more reasons people don’t get brand deals:

Their audience isn’t quite “there” yet in size and engagement.

There are limited samples to give creators for reviews.

The brand doesn't have the budget to pay certain rates.

No matter what, just keep networking. Show up in YouTube live streams, take the stage in Clubhouse rooms, and join conversations in Twitter Spaces.

After all, getting sponsored comes down to three things:

Being where brands and their representatives gather

You must be visible online to do all those things!

Want to know the top 10 mistakes people make when pitching brands? Read this post to increase your chances of becoming a paid influencer.

We know you want a brand sponsorship for your YouTube channel. But have you considered what brands want from the deal? 

Getting Sponsored by Brands: 5 Things Companies Wish Creators Knew

. These partnerships are the secret sauce fueling the creator economy. As you make videos, you get to advertise products in exchange for cash on social media.

But pitching brands is hard work. Before you do anything, you need a media kit for branded content. You’ll also spend lots of time crafting emails, figuring out your rates, and avoiding sponsorship scams. Meanwhile, you still have YouTube videos to film and edit.

Getting a Brand Deal on YouTube - 10 Terrible Mistakes to Avoid

Sometimes it’s easier to go in the opposite direction. Instead of looking for companies that sponsor YouTubers, find companies that match creators to brand campaigns. Then you can earn money via product reviews, affiliate marketing deals, and more. All of this is possible with 

How to Get Sponsored by Brands: 11 Companies That Can Help You Out

Are you ready to make money in the influencer economy? Here are 11 companies that connect creators and brands for awesome collaborations.

 is a comprehensive growth service for creators. Go to the website, and you’ll find different “plans” for 

, including services for creating, distributing, and monetizing content. The company will even resolve YouTube strikes for you.

Even with all those perks, we’re most excited about income services at Air Media-Tech. This department barters brand deals for creators, making the YouTube journey a million times easier.

Semaphore specializes in brand integrations, matching brands with digital entrepreneurs. The company has a long list of brand partners, including Disney, Audible, and Nintendo. 

 to see if your channel is a match for Semaphore's services.

 helps creators earn a reliable income through brand sponsorships. According to the website, Makrwatch connects “hundreds of YouTube creators with brands looking to sponsor content.” And that’s every single month. You also can review sponsorship offers and track your earnings with a free Makrwatch account.

Want to forge lasting relationships with brands in your niche?

Tracking the progress of brand sponsorships

Before you sign up, you’ll need to connect your YouTube channel and verify your identity. You also need 

, but the website encourages micro-influencers to apply.

 is for creators who make food, fashion, beauty, or lifestyle content. You’ll partner with brands in those specific niches, making it easier to find authentic sponsorships.

Sign up for a free account, then create a profile.

Add your rates and some information about your personal brand.

Bid on brand opportunities whenever you receive an invite from marketers.

 is a directory for brands looking to partner with creators. It’s mostly for marketers who want to run tons of searches and find channels for specific campaigns.

That might sound tedious, but Channel Pages has many search filters. Anyone can search by niche, channel size, target audience, monthly viewership, subscribers, and more.

Don’t leave any cash behind; make sure your channel is listed in this popular directory for brand campaigns.

Are you tired of looking for brands that will sponsor you? Give 

 a try. This company connects video creators with brands that endorse family content. Imagine a Cheerios ad that features a mom, dad, and two siblings, and you’ve got the right idea.

While the website targets clients (aka brands), Trending Family does have a “creator group” it uses for campaigns.

“Trending Family-Approved creators have all been rigorously vetted against our ever-evolving standards for content quality, digital presence, and influencer fraud. And it should go without saying that our influencers only share content that parents can feel good about co-viewing with their kids.”

We recommend reaching out to Trending Family to learn more.

The website also mentions micro-influencers, so do check it out if you’re seeking 

. That could be a game changer for small channels and nano-influencers.

Spacestation has a cosmic aesthetic, but it’s not a cheesy gimmick. The company genuinely wants to lift creators to new heights via paid sponsorships.

Take a look at the featured collaborations on 

 partner with brands like Polar and Skillshare, respectively. When you’re ready, scroll down a bit farther to submit an inquiry to Spacestation.

Did you know there’s a marketplace just for creators? This digital job board – built by Aspire – is a place for searching and applying to active campaigns. 

Click here to join Aspire’s Creator Marketplace

 connects brands to influencers, and it’s free to sign up and create your profile. Like TapInfluence, Izea specializes in food, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.

Izea also has Shake, a marketplace for creators of all types. When you sign up as a seller, you can create “Shakes” – ads that showcase your skills and digital services. From there, buyers can view your Shakes and (fingers crossed) purchase your services.

The last company on our list is YouTube itself. The platform has a monetization service called 

, which pairs video creators with brands and their campaigns. The only downside is that 

. That’s going to change in the future, though, so keep an eye out for updates.

In the meantime, make sure you meet the entry-level requirements for this program:

A clean YouTube record (no active Community Guideline strikes)

Additionally, you must be over 18 and live in Canada, the U.S., or the United Kingdom.

These 11 companies will help you get paid brand deals with common YouTube sponsors like Skillshare, Audible, and Blue Apron. But that’s just a tiny sample. 

80% of marketers believe in influencer marketing

, so more companies will embrace YouTube sponsorships.

Now that you know how to get brands to sponsor you, learn three alternative ways to monetize YouTube content.

For some YouTube creators, getting sponsored by brands is a challenge. These 11 media companies are bridging the gap by connecting influencers to paid brand deals. 


There’s never been a better time to join the creator economy – especially for YouTubers. If you’re making decent money from your channel, 

imagine how your income will balloon after joining more platforms

. Posting videos on additional sites (Instagram, TikTok, Patreon, etc.) creates more cash through bread deals, donations, and subscriptions.

Is Your YouTube Channel on Track to Become a Business? Here are 5 Positive Signs

Those are common ways to make money, but maybe not the best. The creator economy rewards awesome content 

“I believe one of the opportunities creators should think about is not relying 100% on their income from just a YouTube channel or Instagram account or TikTok, but to create an ecosystem and companies around their social media,” says Vira Slyvinska, head of global business development at 

It sounds like a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be. You already have the most important asset: dozens of YouTube videos to repurpose and remonetize across the web.

. Her advice comes from years of experience at Air Media-Tech helping creators monetize their popularity.

Ready to create an ecosystem for your content? Here are three ways to repurpose YouTube videos for extra cash.

1. Build a Mobile Streaming App for Loyal Subscribers

Imagine what would happen if, one day, your YouTube revenue dropped 50%. You would be out of luck (and upset) if YouTube was your only source of income.

But that’s a preventable problem. Building a streaming app is the perfect way to control your assets, from repurposing new videos to remonetizing old content.

, you can launch an app that houses exclusive content or videos from your YouTube channel. You decide how to monetize the app by charging a one-time fee, displaying ads, or offering in-app purchases. Best of all, Appy Pie is a drag-and-drop app builder that requires 

? He has nearly 4 million subscribers on YouTube and created a fitness app, Heria Pro, to expand his business. It offers workout plans, a goal tracker, Heria’s YouTube videos, and more. The app is free to download but has in-app purchases to diversify his income.

Technically, you don’t have to leave YouTube to start a subscription service. The platform already offers this with 

, which require more than 1,000 subscribers to unlock.

Still, all of your income shouldn’t flow from YouTube. That’s risky when you’re building a content ecosystem that will 

Your best bet is building a website to house your entire brand: the courses you offer, the products you sell, and any 

 you provide. Depending on your expertise, creating a subscription service that costs up to $25/month is a great income booster.

Of course, this is another opportunity to 

One example we love sharing is how co-hosts Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti monetize their 

. The visual episodes appear on YouTube, but the editors cut several scenes for brevity. If viewers want to see the uncut version of the show, Ball and Enjeti offer a paid membership for super fans.

Podcasting on YouTube - 7 Tips to Get Subscribers on a Paid Membership

3. Consider NFTs, But Proceed With Caution

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) use the same blockchain technology that birthed cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. However, NFTs are not a form of currency; they’re digital assets existing on a blockchain. For now, it seems people are most excited to buy digital art NFTs.

However, Slyvinska says NFTs might not be the best long-term investment. Prices are speculative due to bidding, and there’s no guarantee you’ll make money selling one. But as always, a supportive audience and good marketing improve your chances.

But how do video creators make money from NFTs? Well, last year, rapper Latashá made thousands of dollars 

Now imagine releasing a YouTube video with a “deleted” scene. 

Would your audience buy that missing piece of content as an NFT?

 That’s one idea to jumpstart your NFT project and repurpose YouTube content.

When you’re ready, visit these creator-friendly platforms to sell NFTs:

And while you’re at it, look to the metaverse for opportunities. Experts predict 

you’ll need cryptocurrency to shop in this virtual marketplace

, so it can’t hurt to explore the possibilities for video creators.

The examples above are not-so-common ways of boosting YouTube income. 

Want to keep things traditional? Start here with 10 tips for landing YouTube brand deals.

Have you done all you can on YouTube? It's time to repurpose your videos to make more money via mobile apps, subscriptions, and even NFTs.

Creator Economy Cash: 3 Unique Ways to Repurpose YouTube Content


What’s your ultimate YouTube wish for 2022? For the aspiring entrepreneurs out there, we have a pretty good hunch. 

Eventually go full-time and start a business

Want to Make YouTube Your Full-Time Job? Master These 5 Skills

, we interview a tech creator who reached that milestone: Jacklyn Dallas of 

 (NBT). In seven years of filming, her channel has amassed 166,000 subscribers. That’s an important figure to note because most people think you need a million to be successful.

Of course, Jacklyn reveals the truth about 

: Creators need a mix of problem solving, community building, and innovative thinking – not just subscribers.

Your channel can become so much more than an entertainment hub. While no viewer thinks, 

, most people appreciate anything that helps them succeed in life. Take a look at the last 10 videos on your channel. Do they solve a concrete problem millions of people share? That’s the first sign your YouTube channel can support a larger business.

 because she was already solving tech problems. She had an audience of one at the time: her grandmother. But after Jacklyn recorded several videos to help her out – tutorials on resetting an email password or downloading an ebook – she knew she had something special.

“I would just send a 30-second video, and she found that really helpful,” Jacklyn says. “And I kind of thought, ‘I like explaining tech stuff. I may as well post it on YouTube.’”

Now that Jacklyn is a full-time YouTuber, one thing is clear: Coming up with solutions is the crux of any successful business, online or not.

2. You’re Making Enough Money to Justify the Effort

Starting any business (and growing it) depends on your ability to make money. YouTube is no different, and you need a justifiable income to manage a channel full-time. Otherwise, you could run out of money and end up quitting before you’ve started.

7 Lucrative Ways to Make Money Beyond YouTube

Are you ready for that challenge? If you have multiple streams of income that cover your lifestyle, we’d say you are.

3. You’re Willing to Invest Heavily in Your YouTube Channel

Most creators invest in their channels by making one-off purchases. They’ll buy a 

 or an external microphone to get crisp audio. But chances are, you’re past that stage if you’re thinking of starting a business. You exit the “basic upgrade” phase and enter the “long-term investment” phase.

invest 90% of YouTube revenue back into the channel

 rather than spend it. That’s what a thriving startup would do. In fact, that’s what 

“I don’t think people think of it as a company…. When you see insane numbers like, MrBeast makes 'X' amount, it’s like, no," Jacklyn says. Jimmy doesn’t make 'X' amount, the overall structure makes that amount, and then that goes to salaries and videos and things like that.”

Jacklyn follows this principle, too. She didn’t take a salary for years so she could invest in things like:

A camera that meets the quality standards for a tech channel

4. You Push the Boundaries of What’s Possible on YouTube

We mentioned the power of income diversification above. Well, this tip goes hand-in-hand with that philosophy. Sometimes it’s not enough to collect money from different sources and call it a day. 

The best businesses are innovative and take calculated risks.

 Look at Jeff Bezos, Amazon, and the race to space that spawned Blue Origin. Think of Elon Musk’s company SpaceX and its mission to design and launch rockets into space. 

Some might argue we have bigger problems to solve here on Earth, but innovation clearly drives wealth.

Embrace the same mindset when growing your channel. You don’t have to follow the monetization template YouTube created. Do something bold.

6 Signs It's Time to Make YouTube Your Full-Time Job

Jacklyn took this to heart when she partnered with Dive Tap, a company that creates info-sharing cards that activate when you tap them against a phone. It allows people to share contacts, files, links, and more.

Jacklyn pitched the idea of an NBT x Dive Tap collab, which included:

Custom card designs her audience would resonate with

A way to switch out the links on every card

“I want to always be pushing the boundaries a little bit,” Jacklyn says. “No tech creator had launched a tech product yet. I was like, ‘This is the perfect opportunity. Why not make it? Why not try to do this?’”

5. You’ve Built a YouTube Community That Trusts You

Having a strong YouTube community means your channel is on track to become a business. To be clear, this isn’t about how many subscribers you’ve gained. It's not even about the followers you’ve amassed on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Discord. This is about connection and engagement.

We’ve seen creators under 100,000 subscribers, such as social media expert Desiree Martinez, 

. While they don’t have the largest audience, they do have engaged followers who support them monetarily.

Turning your channel into a business is no joke, so if you’re ready to earn more, give YouTube brand deals a shot. Here are 10 pitching secrets to help you land one.

If growing a YouTube channel feels hard, turning one into a business must seem impossible. Still, you may be further ahead than you think.

The benefits of getting a brand deal are hard to deny. If you’re a YouTube creator, the perks include:

Not relying on YouTube AdSense to survive

Stacking extra cash (hundreds or thousands of dollars a month)

I mean, just imagine it: How would you feel earning $1,000 

Our guess is you would be euphoric! But despite every creator wanting a brand deal, it’s hard to secure one in practice. People make plenty of mistakes, from pitching brands incorrectly to never making the first move. Simply put, some creators don’t understand how brand deals work.

, we chat with Justin Moore, a brand deals specialist. Moore is the founder of 

, an agency that matches influencers with brands working on lucrative campaigns. As such, he knows exactly how to get brand deals as an influencer.

Want to find brands that will sponsor you and your content? Avoid these 10 terrible mistakes to stand out from the crowd.

1. Believing You Need a Massive YouTube Audience

We say this all the time, but we’ll keep repeating it: You don’t need 1 million or even 100,000 subscribers to score brand deals. Subscriber count doesn’t matter as much as having an engaged audience.

Imagine that a brand is deciding between two influencers for a campaign. The first influencer has 40,000 subscribers, but almost no one interacts with their videos. They get minimal likes, comments, and views despite having a massive following. The second influencer has 20,000 subscribers but lots of viewer engagement – 5,000 views, 200 comments, and 500 likes per video. Who’s getting the deal?

, you’re right. Brands have an easier time “speaking” to an engaged audience, not a passive one.

YouTube comment boxes showing likes and replies

, subscribers, or brand deals, go ahead and chase those milestones. Don’t wait!

“A lot of creators think, ‘I just need to sit and wait for a brand deal opportunity to come to my inbox,” Moore says. “What I teach is that it’s never too early to reach out to a brand on your own and try to forge a partnership.”

Have you pitched a brand you want to work with and got no response in return? You’re not alone. Plenty of creators strike out while attempting to forge lucrative relationships – especially via email.

If you’re ready to try something different, consider the 

Moore developed this strategy, and it includes four pitching essentials:

What does it take to get brand deals as a YouTube creator? You can start by avoiding these 10 mistakes around pitching, negotiating and more.

How To Make Money on YouTube

Getting Sponsored by Brands: 5 Things Companies Wish Creators Knew

Đã Đăng

11 Companies Matching YouTubers with Amazing Brand Deals

Đã Đăng

Creator Economy Cash: 3 Unique Ways to Repurpose YouTube Content

Đã Đăng

Is Your YouTube Channel on Track to Become a Business? Here are 5 Positive Signs

Đã Đăng

Getting a Brand Deal on YouTube: 10 Terrible Mistakes to Avoid

Đã Đăng

4 Tips to Make Money Outside of YouTube Like Roberto Blake

Đã Đăng

Want to Make YouTube Your Full-Time Job? Master These 5 Skills

Đã Đăng

Can I Still Monetize My YouTube Channel If I have a Copyright Claim?

Đã Đăng

Podcasting on YouTube: 7 Tips to Get Subscribers on a Paid Membership

Đã Đăng

14 Ways to Avoid YouTube Demonetization

Đã Đăng

3 Ways to Grow Your YouTube Business

Đã Đăng

YouTube CPM: 7 Factors Affecting Your Channel's Revenue

Đã Đăng