Okay, let’s set the scene. I’m in my living room, which smells like burnt toast because I still haven’t figured out my ancient toaster oven. I started posting on Instagram about my obsession with sustainable fashion—like, thrifted cardigans and funky socks—because it’s my vibe. I had maybe 2,500 followers, mostly friends and random thrift store enthusiasts. I wasn’t out here trying to be a big-time influencer, just sharing my quirky fits and hoping someone would care.
Then, one day, I’m scrolling X while eating leftover Chipotle, and I see this micro-influencer talking about how brands are dying to work with small accounts because we’re “authentic.” I’m like, “Authentic? Me? The girl who tripped over her own shoelaces in a Reels video last week?” But I figured, why not try? This article from Forbes totally backed it up—brands love micro-influencers for our niche audiences and realness. So, I decided to shoot my shot.
My First (Cringey) Attempt at Getting a Brand Deal
Here’s where it gets messy. I had no clue how to pitch myself. Like, zero. I spent a whole evening googling “how to get a brand deal” while my cat, Muffin, stared at me like I was losing it. I found this guide from Later that said to create a media kit, so I made one in Canva that looked like a middle school art project. Think neon fonts and clipart of stars. Yikes.
I sent cold emails to, like, 20 brands I loved, from eco-friendly sock companies to small jewelry brands. My pitch was basically, “Hi, I’m super cool and have followers who like my stuff, wanna work together?” Cringe city. Unsurprisingly, most didn’t reply. But one sustainable clothing brand, GreenThread, responded with, “We love your vibe! Can you send stats?” I was shaking, spilling my coffee all over my desk, because what stats? I scrambled to screenshot my Instagram Insights, which showed my 3% engagement rate—apparently decent for a micro-influencer, per Hootsuite’s benchmarks.
Learning the Hard Way About Brand Collaborations
Okay, so GreenThread asked for a pitch deck, and I’m like, “A what now?” I spent hours googling, watching YouTube tutorials in my pajamas, with the Chicago wind howling outside my window. I learned that getting a brand deal means showing brands value. My followers were small but engaged, so I leaned into that. I made a new media kit—less clipart this time—and included stuff like:
- My audience demographics (mostly 20-35-year-olds who love sustainable fashion)
- Engagement stats (3% likes, 1% comments—small but mighty!)
- A vibe check: photos of my thrifted outfits and captions that screamed “me”
I also started posting more consistently, like three Reels a week, even though half of them were me fumbling with filters. One Reel went semi-viral (500 likes, big for me), which I think caught GreenThread’s eye. Pro tip: brands love seeing you’re active, so don’t ghost your own account.
The Moment I Actually Landed the Brand Deal
Fast forward to last month. I’m at a coffee shop in Wicker Park, the kind with overpriced oat milk lattes and neon signs screaming “Good Vibes Only.” I get an email from GreenThread: “We’d love to collaborate on a sponsored post!” I legit gasped so loud the barista side-eyed me. They offered me $200 for one Instagram post and a Story. Not life-changing money, but for me? Huge.
The catch? I had to create content that felt “authentic” but followed their guidelines. I was paranoid I’d mess it up. I spent a whole weekend filming myself in their eco-friendly hoodie, tripping over my words and laughing at myself. The final post was me in a thrift store, twirling in the hoodie, with a caption about why I love sustainable fashion. It got 400 likes—wild for me—and GreenThread said my followers’ comments were “exactly the vibe they wanted.”
Mistakes I Made While Chasing That First Sponsorship
Oh man, where do I start? I made so many dumb moves. Like:
- Spamming brands: My first emails were desperate, like I was begging for a date. Don’t do that. Be chill but professional.
- Not knowing my worth: I almost said yes to a brand offering exposure instead of cash. This Influencer Marketing Hub article helped me realize even micro-influencers deserve payment.
- Overthinking content: I spent hours tweaking one Reel when I should’ve just posted and moved on. Perfectionism is the enemy.
Also, I was so nervous about signing the contract that I spilled coffee on my desk while reading it. My signature looked like a toddler’s scribble. But I learned to ask questions—like, “What’s the deadline?” and “Can I post this on X too?”—which made me feel less like a fraud.
Tips for Getting Your Own Brand Deal, From One Messy Micro-Influencer
Alright, here’s the real talk. If you’re a micro-influencer dreaming of a brand collaboration, here’s what I’d tell you over coffee:
- Know your niche. My thrifted fashion vibe is what got GreenThread’s attention. Lean into what makes you you.
- Engage your audience. Reply to comments, ask questions in Stories. Brands want followers who actually care.
- Pitch smart. Use a simple media kit and email like you’re talking to a friend, not a robot. Canva’s templates saved my butt here.
- Don’t undervalue yourself. Even with 3,000 followers, you’re worth something. Check out Social Blue Book for pricing ideas.
- Be patient but persistent. I got 19 rejections before GreenThread said yes. Keep going.
Wrapping Up My Brand Deal Journey (For Now)
So, yeah, getting a brand deal was a wild ride. I’m still kinda shocked it happened, sitting here in my apartment with Muffin purring on my lap and the Chicago skyline twinkling outside. It wasn’t perfect—I’m still learning how to not sound like a dork in emails—but it felt like a win. If you’re a micro-influencer, don’t sleep on your potential. You don’t need a million followers to make waves.
Wanna give it a shot? Drop a comment on my latest Insta post (@ThriftedVibes, shameless plug) and tell me your niche. Let’s hype each other up!.
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