How do you get sponsorship deals on Instagram?

Quick answer: switch to a creator account, post consistently in one niche, build proof with a few Reels that show products well, then pitch brands directly by email with a specific content idea. Once a deal is agreed, publish it with Instagram's "Paid partnership" label. Brands rarely find small creators on their own, so most first sponsorships come from pitching.

What do brands look for in an Instagram creator?

• A clear niche they can match to their product.
• Content quality: good light, a strong first second, the product shown in use.
• An engaged audience: comments and saves from real people matter more than follower count.
• Reliability: creators who reply, deliver on time and follow the brief get rebooked.

Micro-creators often win on trust and price. Many brands now split budgets across several small creators instead of one big one.

Step 1: Set up your account for brands

• Switch to a creator or business account so you can see insights and use partnership tools.
• Write a bio that says what you make and for whom, and add a contact email.
• Pin three posts that show your best product content.
• Keep a simple media kit or portfolio link with your stats and examples.

Step 2: Build proof with Reels

Reels are where brands judge whether your content can sell. Make a few with products you already use: a hook in the first two seconds, the product in use, one honest reason you like it. Brands will look at these before anything else.

Step 3: Find brands that sponsor creators your size

• Look at "Paid partnership" posts from creators in your niche with a similar audience.
• Check Instagram's partnership messages folder and, where available, the in-app creator marketplace where brands can invite creators.
• Target growing brands rather than household names; they reply more often.
• Use a directory of brands open to creator collaborations with a real contact email, such as Newcollab's brand directory.

Step 4: Pitch by email, not just DMs

Brand DMs are often handled by a social team and get lost. A short email to the partnerships or PR contact works better. Keep it under 120 words: one content idea for their product, one line of proof, two links to your best Reels, and a clear ask (gifted product or your rate). Follow up once or twice, a few days apart, with a new idea each time.

Step 5: Agree the details before you post

Before you film, confirm in writing: what you'll deliver (for example one Reel and three Stories), the posting date, whether the brand can run your content as an ad and for how long, the fee or product, and when you'll be paid. Ad usage rights are worth extra; don't include them for free by default.

How do you label a sponsored post on Instagram?

Use Instagram's Paid partnership label (branded content tools) and tag the brand as a partner. This is required by Instagram's branded content policies when you receive money or free product, and it's what the FTC expects in the US. It also lets the brand see your post's results. Step by step: how to set up a brand partnership on Instagram.

How much do Instagram sponsorships pay?

Rates vary widely by niche, reach, deliverables and usage rights. Many first deals for small creators are gifted, then move to a per-post or per-Reel fee once the brand sees results. Price per deliverable, charge separately for ad usage, and raise your rate as your portfolio grows.

Make pitching a weekly habit

Sponsorships come from volume: creators who pitch new brands every week land far more deals than those who pitch once in a while. Polly, Newcollab's AI assistant, finds brands in your niche that work with creators, writes each pitch for that brand, and on Pro sends them from your Gmail every weekday with follow-ups, so replies land in your own inbox.