By Jeff 
Instagram has evolved from a photo-sharing app into a full-fledged platform for creators to earn income through brand collaborations. Sponsored posts are one of the most lucrative ways to monetise your account, even if you are just starting out. But for new creators, landing that first deal can feel overwhelming. How do you attract brands when your account is still small? How do you demonstrate value to potential partners?
In this article, we will guide you through the process of landing your first sponsored post, from building a professional profile to leveraging strategic growth tactics, including the use of followers, likes, and views.
Understanding Brand Partnerships
A sponsored post is when a brand pays you to create content featuring their product or service. Brands are looking for accounts that can:
- Reach a relevant audience
- Generate engagement such as likes, comments, and shares
- Represent their product authentically
Even small accounts can secure sponsored deals if they show that their audience is engaged and targeted. Many brands now prefer working with micro-influencers because smaller audiences often engage more deeply than larger ones.
Prepare Your Profile for Brand Attention
Before you reach out to brands, make sure your Instagram profile is polished:
- Professional bio: Clearly describe your niche and what value you offer. For example, “Healthy meal ideas for busy professionals | Tips & recipes every week.”
- Consistent content: Share posts and Reels aligned with your niche to demonstrate focus.
- High-quality visuals: Ensure your photos and videos are clear, well-lit, and visually appealing.
- Engagement: Respond to comments, interact with followers, and create a sense of community.
A professional and engaging profile is the first step in convincing brands that your account is worth partnering with.
Create a Media Kit
A media kit is a concise document or PDF that showcases your Instagram account’s metrics and potential value to a brand. Include:
- Your niche and audience demographics
- Average engagement rate and reach
- Examples of your best posts or Reels
- Any previous collaborations, if applicable
Even if you are new and have limited metrics, highlighting your creativity, niche focus, and engagement can make you appealing to brands.
Grow Your Account Strategically
Many new creators struggle to get noticed because their account appears small. While content quality and engagement are key, there are additional strategies to create social proof quickly. This includes buying followers, likes, and views from a reliable source:
- Followers: An initial boost in followers makes your profile appear more credible. Brands are more likely to approach accounts that look established, so consider the option to buy high-quality Instagram followers.
- Likes: Purchasing likes on posts or Reels can enhance social proof, showing that your content resonates with viewers.
- Views: Buying views on Reels from real accounts can improve your content’s reach and engagement metrics, which are often considered by brands evaluating potential collaborations.
It is important to choose trustworthy providers that deliver real, active users rather than bots. When combined with consistent, high-quality content, these strategies can help you break through the early growth barrier and attract brands without compromising your long-term engagement.
Identify Brands That Fit Your Niche
The next step is to find brands that align with your content and audience. Micro-influencers often have better success targeting smaller or local brands because they are more flexible and willing to collaborate with emerging creators.
Tips for identifying suitable brands:
- Look at competitors in your niche and see which brands they work with
- Follow brands that inspire you and engage with their posts
- Search hashtags related to your niche to discover companies actively promoting their products
A good fit ensures that your sponsored content feels authentic, which increases engagement and the likelihood of future collaborations.
Reach Out Professionally
Once you have identified potential brands, reach out with a clear, personalised pitch:
- Introduce yourself: Explain who you are, what your niche is, and why your audience aligns with their brand
- Show value: Share metrics, engagement rates, or examples of similar content
- Propose ideas: Offer creative concepts for Reels, Stories, or posts featuring the brand’s products
- Be concise: Brands receive many pitches, so clarity and professionalism increase your chances of being noticed
Even if a brand does not respond immediately, professional outreach leaves a positive impression for future opportunities.
Showcase Engagement Over Follower Count
Brands often prioritise engagement over raw follower numbers. A smaller account with highly engaged followers can be more valuable than a large account with passive viewers. Encourage your followers to interact with your content through:
- Polls and questions in Stories
- Calls to action in captions, like “Save this post for later” or “Tag a friend who needs this tip”
- Authentic responses to comments
High engagement makes your account more attractive for sponsorships and can justify a higher rate, even if your follower count is modest.
Collaborate with Other Creators
Working with other creators in your niche can expand your reach and credibility. Consider:
- Joint Reels or Lives
- Shout-outs or collaborations on Stories
- Guest appearances in each other’s content
Collaborations expose your account to new audiences that are already interested in your niche, increasing the likelihood of attracting brand deals.
Create Content That Brands Want
Before pitching, ensure your content meets brand expectations:
- Professional-looking visuals and sound
- Clear demonstration of a product or service
- Creative storytelling or entertaining presentation
- Authentic and relatable messaging
Brands are looking for creators who can communicate their product naturally while engaging their audience.
Be Transparent and Professional
When working with brands:
- Always use Instagram’s Paid Partnership tag
- Agree on deadlines, content format, and deliverables upfront
- Provide honest reports on performance metrics if requested
Professionalism builds long-term relationships and increases your chances of repeat collaborations.
Final Thoughts
Landing your first sponsored post on Instagram is achievable, even without a huge following. Focus on building a clear niche, creating high-quality content, and engaging with your audience. Use strategic growth methods, including buying followers, likes, and views from reliable sources, to boost credibility and social proof.
Research brands that align with your niche, reach out with professional pitches, and demonstrate engagement rather than just numbers. By combining creativity, consistency, and strategic growth tactics, new creators can secure their first sponsored post and start turning Instagram into a sustainable platform for income.