In 2026, brands are shifting their budgets toward nano creators and UGC creators because they deliver stronger trust, higher engagement and better ROI.
Creators with 1500 to 6000 followers are getting paid collaborations faster than many creators with 50k.
Brands now care more about:
- niche relevance
- consistent video quality
- creator personality
- audience trust
- on-camera skill
- storytelling ability
This means you can start earning long before Instagram monetization features unlock in your region.
This is a detailed guide on how to get brand deals on Instagram with small followers.
You can read my main guide to understand about official Instagram monetization requirements.
1. Why brands actively work with small creators now
Brands work with smaller creators for reasons that make complete sense once you understand how people buy in 2026.
- Higher trust per follower
Smaller communities are tighter. When a creator with a couple thousand followers recommends something, it feels like a personal suggestion, not an ad. That level of trust is hard to replicate with huge audiences.
- Stronger engagement
Nano creators regularly outperform big influencers in comments, saves and shares. A creator with two thousand followers and a seven percent engagement rate can drive more real action than a large account sitting at one percent. Brands notice that difference.
- Better alignment with niche audiences
Smaller creators often attract a very specific type of audience — people who care about the same topics, routines or problems. For brands, this is far more valuable than reaching a broad audience that may not be interested at all.
- More cost-effective content
When brands hire small creators, they don’t just get a post. They get content they can repurpose in ads, on their own page or in campaigns. This dual use makes working with nano creators a smart investment, not just a cheaper one.
2. Build a niche identity that makes brands understand you instantly
A niche isn’t just a topic, it’s the specific problem, audience or perspective you show up for again and again. Brands don’t hire “general content creators.” They hire creators who clearly represent a category and speak to a defined type of viewer.
When your niche is obvious within three seconds of opening your profile, brands know exactly where their product fits.
How strong niche identity looks:
- “Skincare routines for sensitive skin”
- “Minimalist fashion for petite women”
- “Productivity tips for young professionals”
- “Simple home workouts for beginners”
- “Budget-friendly recipes for students”
Your niche should be clear across:
- bio
- feed aesthetic
- captions
- topics
- tone
- profile highlights
When a brand visits your page, they should immediately know:
- who you speak to
- what you talk about
- why your audience trusts you
If a brand has to scroll around to understand what you do, they move on. Clarity wins instantly.
3. Create brand-safe content that companies can confidently associate with
Brands work with creators who feel low-risk. A brand-safe creator is someone a company can put its name next to without worrying about controversy, misinformation or unnecessary drama.
Brands avoid creators who:
- swear heavily
- use explicit or overly suggestive visuals
- lean on drama or callouts for content
- share extreme political takes
- make bold health or finance claims
- repost clips they don’t own
- show dangerous or irresponsible behaviour
Small creators often forget that brands care about safety just as much as creativity.
The cleanest path to consistent collaborations is building a presence that feels reliable, consistent and advertiser-friendly, the kind of page a brand would confidently show their CEO without a second look.
Brand-safe content isn’t boring, it’s content that feels stable, intentional and trustworthy. Brands want creators who look dependable on camera and easy to associate with publicly.
What brand-safe content usually looks like:
- calm, aesthetic, informative Reels
- simple routines and genuinely helpful tips
- Clean, uncluttered backgrounds
- Natural, soft lighting
- Friendly and warm on-camera delivery
- respectful, positive overall tone
Your presence should feel organised, consistent and steady, the kind of page a brand can scroll through and instantly say, “Yes, this feels safe and on-brand.”
4. Focus on UGC-style content because brands hire SKILL, not size
Brands care far more about how you create than how many people follow you. In 2026, UGC has made follower count almost irrelevant. If your videos look clean, intentional and easy for a brand to repurpose, you’re already valuable to them.
A creator with eight hundred followers can land paid UGC work simply because their videos are polished, well-lit and on-brand for the company they’re pitching. Brands aren’t buying your audience. They’re buying your ability to make content that feels authentic, converts quietly and blends into the feed instead of looking like an ad.
UGC is the perfect equaliser:
- no posting required
- no large audience needed
- just strong content skills and reliability
If your videos look like the kind brands run as ads, clean transitions, natural voiceovers, relatable storytelling, simple product demos, you can win deals long before your page grows.
Skills brands look for:
- clear hook writing
- clean transitions
- steady camera work
- natural product handling
- good pacing
- crisp audio
- simple, real-world scenarios
- ability to explain products clearly
- modern editing style
- strong storytelling
This is why you must post a mix of:
- talking-to-camera Reels
- unboxings
- routines and demonstrations
- tutorials
- reviews
- lifestyle B-roll with narration
- transformation or before-after style content (within safe boundaries)
These sample videos become your public portfolio, the proof brands use to decide whether they want to work with you.
5. Build a simple but professional media kit
A strong media kit does more than show numbers, it shows how easy you are to work with. Brands skim media kits fast, so yours needs to be clean, visual and straightforward. Think of it as your storefront: if it looks organised, brands instantly place you in the “reliable creator” category.
A good media kit should include:
- your bio and niche
A short, clear bio that explains who you are, who you speak to and what style of content you create. Brands want to see if your tone matches their identity before they read anything else. - audience demographics
Include age ranges, top cities and top countries. Even small creators get hired if their audience matches a brand’s ideal customer. - engagement rate
Brands know small creators often have higher engagement, highlight it. A strong engagement rate outweighs low follower count. - sample work
Add screenshots or links to 2–4 pieces of content that represent your style. Choose variety: one talking video, one aesthetic video and one tutorial always works. - brands you’ve featured
These can be gifted, unpaid or even casual mentions. The point is to show brands that you already create content around products naturally. - your rates
Keep it simple: Reels rate, Story rate, package rate. No long tables. No complexity. Brands prefer clarity over fancy formatting. - any add-on services
Examples: raw footage, usage rights, whitelisting, UGC without posting. Many creators make more from add-ons than the actual post. - your contact details
A dedicated email (not Gmail with numbers) makes you look instantly more professional.
Creators with small audiences often get selected because their kit is organised and clear.
Here are the subtle details brands love that most creators ignore:
1. Show your content categories
List the themes you post about most consistently.
For example:
- skincare routines
- product comparisons
- sensitive-skin recommendations
- ingredient breakdowns
This helps brands picture exactly where their product fits.
2. Add a “What I can create for you” section
This is powerful. Show formats you’re comfortable with:
- tutorial Reels
- before and after
- lifestyle storytelling
- unboxing
- product explainers
- UGC raw clips
- voiceover breakdowns
Brands see your range instantly.
3. Include short past results (if any)
Just one or two lines like:
- “A Reel for a skincare brand generated 1,200 saves.”
- “UGC video used in ads for 30 days.”
- “5,000 link clicks from a budget product tutorial.”
No big numbers needed. Brands care about evidence of impact.
4. Add a tiny section called “What brands say”
One or two quick lines from previous collaborations is enough. Even feedback like “Loved working with you!” or “Fast and reliable” helps.
5. Make it visually clean
Your media kit does not need complex design.
Brands prefer:
- 2-3 pages maximum
- white or neutral background
- no heavy graphics
- aligned text
- one strong photo of you
A simple media kit looks more premium than a cluttered one.
6. Provide two rate versions
Creators who do this get more deals:
- Full rates: your ideal numbers
- Flexible packages: “Reel + Stories,” “Two Reel bundle,” “UGC only”
Brands choose faster when they have options.
7. Update it monthly
Your stats shift constantly. A monthly update keeps your kit fresh and avoids awkward conversations.
Small creators get selected frequently because brands can understand them at a glance.
Brands trust creators who make their job easier, and your media kit is the first proof of that.
6. Create a “Collabs” or “UGC Work” highlight
Brands check highlights more than most creators realise. A clean, well-organised highlight showing your past work, style and results makes it easy for them to understand what you can deliver.
Your highlight should contain:
- sample UGC videos you made
- aesthetic clips demonstrating products
- demos
- reviews
- before-and-after results (realistic ones)
- past gifted collaborations
- voiceover examples
Brands check highlights quickly, so having a clear one works in your favour. A strong collab highlight can get you considered for a project before they even open your media kit.
7. Tag brands strategically without looking desperate
Tagging the right brands can put you on their radar in a natural way. When you tag them in content that actually fits their aesthetic or product line, it signals that you understand their style, and brands do pay attention to that.
The right way:
- create a high-quality video featuring their product
- tag the brand in the Reel
- mention them naturally in the caption
- share it to your Story and tag them there
- add a small note explaining why you genuinely use the product
The wrong way:
- tagging every brand you know
- tagging brands unrelated to your content
- using low-quality posts to tag companies
- tagging dozens of brands in one post
- tagging competitors in the same Reel
Tagging brands thoughtfully gives you visibility without coming across as pushy or spammy.
8. Pitch brands directly (this is where small creators win)
Creators under twenty thousand followers usually get more results from pitching than waiting for brands to find them. Outreach is normal in 2026, and most brands expect it.
How to find the right contacts:
- brand websites (PR or marketing email)
- LinkedIn (search “influencer marketing manager”)
- Instagram bio (creator collaboration forms or emails)
- PR agencies that manage multiple consumer brands
- creator marketplaces
What your pitch must include:
- a sincere reason you like their product
- your niche and audience
- examples of content you can create
- links to sample Reels
- link to your media kit
- a simple ask
Short, effective pitch example:
Hi team,
I’ve been following your brand for a while and really like your minimal-ingredient approach to skincare. My content focuses on simple, budget-friendly routines for sensitive skin, and your serum fits the questions my audience asks me almost every day.
Here are two recent skincare Reels so you can get a feel for my style:
[link]
[link]
My media kit is here: [link]
If it feels like a good fit, I’d love to explore a paid collaboration for a Reel plus Stories.
Warm regards,
[Name]
Keep your message simple, direct and confident. Brands appreciate that.
9. Join creator marketplaces to get inbound deals
A lot of brands no longer scroll Instagram looking for creators. They use creator marketplaces where they can quickly find people based on their niche, content style and the type of videos they need. Being listed on these platforms puts you in front of brands that are already actively looking to hire.
Platforms that work well for small creators:
- Aspire
- Grin
- Collabstr
- Insense
- Trend
- Billo
- Tagger
- Upfluence
- BrandBassador
- Shopify Collabs
When you join a creator marketplace, upload the things that help brands understand your work at a glance:
- your best three to five videos
- your profile analytics
- your rates
- A short description of your niche and style
These platforms make it possible for creators with even a few hundred followers to land paid work, because brands care more about your content than your size.
10. Build a reputation for being extremely easy to work with
Brands will always choose a reliable creator over a big creator. A “dream creator” is someone who is predictable, professional and communicates well — not someone with the highest follower count.
A “dream creator” for a brand is someone who:
- replies quickly
- submits content on time
- accepts feedback professionally
- delivers clean footage
- fixes small issues without arguments
- follows the brief
- communicates clearly
- does not disappear mid-project
This behaviour leads to:
- repeat deals
- higher rates
- long-term contracts
- ongoing UGC work
- referrals to other brands
Professionalism is one of the strongest monetization levers you have. Brands remember the creators who make their job easier.
11. Set fair rates that reflect your content quality
Rates can vary a lot, but here’s a simple way to think about what small creators typically charge in 2026.
If you have 1000 to 5000 followers:
- One feed Reel: 70-180 USD
- UGC Reel (brand’s page): 100-250 USD
- Three Reel package: 180-450 USD
- Story set: 20-60 USD
- Usage rights: +40 to 70 percent of base rate
- Whitelisting: +100 to 150 USD
If you have 5000 to 10,000 followers:
- One feed Reel: 150-380 USD
- UGC Reel: 150-450 USD
- Three Reel package: 300-900 USD
- Usage rights: +40 to 80 percent
- Whitelisting: +150 to 250 USD
Your rates should reflect:
- The level of skill you bring
- The value of your niche
- The time you put into each video
- The quality of your edits
- Your reliability as a creator
When you present your pricing clearly and confidently, most brands don’t push back. They respect creators who know their worth and communicate it professionally.
12. Final thoughts: Small creators have more opportunity than ever
You don’t need a huge audience to land brand deals on Instagram. What matters is whether your content shows brands that you understand your niche and can create videos they would happily repurpose.
You need a clear niche, brand-safe content, UGC-style videos that look natural, a clean media kit and the ability to communicate professionally. And yes, a willingness to pitch.
Most creators get deals because they ask, not because they wait. Consistency ties everything together because brands want creators who show up regularly, not once a month.
If your content is original, helpful and visually strong, brands will work with you regardless of your follower count. Smaller creators close deals every day because their content actually converts.
To build the rest of your Instagram earning ecosystem, you can explore:
