How to Get Paid brand Collaborations as an Influencer in 2025

Introduction

Here’s the good news: You do not need millions of followers to land paid collaborations in 2025. Brands are increasingly investing in nano- and micro-influencers because they drive higher engagement, create authentic content, and offer niche reach.

The key is to treat your influencer journey like a business. With the right foundation, tools, and mindset, even a small influencer can charge for their influence and build long-term partnerships.

👉 If you are still learning what brands look for, check our blog on How to Find Influencers in 2025.

1. Build a Strong Foundation 🏠

Before pitching brands, make sure your profile is set up like a professional portfolio. Think of it as your resume.

• Define your niche: Be clear and specific. Whether it is vegan recipes, thrift fashion, or solo travel, brands value influencers who have a defined audience.
  
  

• Create consistent content: Post regularly with authenticity. Quality and consistency matter more than follower count.
  
  

• Engage your audience: Engagement is your real currency. Reply to comments, use polls and Q&As, and create conversations with your followers.
  
  

• Optimise your bio: Your profile should state your niche, your value, and include a professional email. Use keywords in your bio to appear in Instagram search

👉 Security matters too. Read our guide on How to Keep Your Instagram Account Secure to protect your profile while you grow.

2. Create a Professional Media Kit 📂

A media kit is your digital business card for brands. Even if you are a small influencer, it shows professionalism.

Include:

• Key stats: Follower count, engagement rate, average impressions, clicks
  
  

• Audience demographics: Age, gender, top cities, and interests
  
  

• About you: A short story about your mission and style
  
  

• Previous work: Share your best-performing posts or even unpaid campaigns. If you do not have brand collabs yet, use testimonials from your followers

Keep it short (1–2 pages), clean, and easy to read. This helps brands quickly understand your value.

3. Find the Right Brands to Pitch 🎯

Not every brand is the right fit. Focus on those that naturally align with your content and audience.

• Start with brands you already use: Authenticity makes your pitch stronger.
  
  

• Study peers in your niche: See which brands are already collaborating with small influencers like you.
  
  

• Target startups and small businesses: They often prefer working with nano- and micro-influencers for cost-effective reach.

💡 Pro Tip: Platforms like INFLUISH list verified, paid campaigns directly from brands. Instead of cold emailing, you can apply to opportunities where brands are actively seeking influencers.

4. Craft a Winning Pitch Email 📧

Your pitch email should be short, personalised, and clear.

• Personalise: Address the brand by name and reference something specific about their product or campaign.
  
  

• Be clear: Example subject line: “Collaboration Pitch: [Your Name] x [Brand Name]”
  
  

• Explain your value: Show why your audience is relevant and suggest a creative idea.
  
  

• Offer deliverables: For example, “I can create one Reel and three Stories highlighting your product.”
  
  

• Attach your media kit: This gives the brand all your data in one place.

5. Negotiate Like a Pro 🤝

When brands show interest, it is time to talk business.

• Know your worth: Nano influencers (1K–10K followers) can typically charge ₹800–₹5,000 per post. Micro influencers (10K–100K) may earn ₹5,000–₹25,000 depending on engagement.
  
  

• Clarify deliverables and rights: Be specific about the number of posts, usage rights, and exclusivity.
  
  

• Secure payments: Use platforms that offer OTP-backed contracts and escrow payments so you do not risk unpaid work.

Why Platforms Make It Easier for Small Influencers

For small influencers, the hardest part is usually finding paid opportunities and avoiding scams. Trusted platforms simplify this by offering:

• Verified campaigns: Only brand-backed collaborations are listed
  
  

• Meta API-backed data: Connect your Instagram without sharing your password
  
  

• OTP-backed contracts: Protect you legally if there is a dispute
  
  

• Secure payments: Money is released only when your work is approved

This levels the playing field for smaller influencers who may not have the network to pitch big brands directly.