How to Get Sponsored on Instagram in 2025

Getting paid to post on Instagram might sound like a dream, but it’s more possible in 2025 than ever—especially if you’re focused, authentic, and creative. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just getting started, you don’t need a million followers to land a brand deal. You just need the right approach.

Let’s break down exactly what sponsorships are, how they work, and how to make brands actually want to work with you.

What Does Instagram Sponsorship Really Mean in 2025?

Not all sponsored content is created equal. Before reaching out to brands or applying for campaigns, it’s important to understand what “sponsorship” really looks like today.

What Is a Sponsored Post on Instagram?

A sponsored post is any content you’re paid to share—whether it’s a static picture, a Reel, a Story, or even a carousel. Usually, a brand pays you (or offers something in return) in exchange for promoting their product or service.

Some sponsored posts are one-off deals. Others might turn into long-term partnerships. Either way, there should always be a clear agreement and expectations on both sides.

Types of Sponsorships: Posts, Stories, Reels, and Affiliate Links

Brands work with creators in all kinds of formats. Here are a few of the most common:

• Feed posts: classic static images with a branded caption
  
  
• Stories: great for casual mentions or product demos
  
  
• Reels: ideal for short-form video ads with high engagement
  
  
• Affiliate links: where you earn a percentage for every sale made through your custom link or code
  
  

Many sponsorships include multiple formats, like a Reel + 3 Stories or a post + discount code combo.

Are Sponsored and Paid Partnerships the Same?

You might see the terms “sponsored post” and “paid partnership” used interchangeably, but there’s a small difference.

• A paid partnership tag usually means the creator received money or product in exchange for content and disclosed it using Instagram’s built-in tool.
  
  
• A sponsored post can mean the same thing but might not always be disclosed clearly (which, by the way, is required by law).
  
  

Always be transparent—it builds trust with both your audience and the brand.

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How Many Followers Do You Need to Get Sponsored?

There’s no exact number, but follower count isn’t the deal-breaker it used to be. In fact, many brands now prefer smaller creators with engaged audiences.

What Brands Expect at Different Follower Levels

Here’s a rough breakdown of what brands might look for:

• Under 1,000 followers: small brands may offer gifted deals or ambassador roles
  
  
• 1,000–10,000 followers: expect micro-influencer campaigns, often with product + small payment
  
  
• 10,000–50,000 followers: more consistent paid campaigns become available
  
  
• 50k+ followers: higher-budget collabs and long-term partnerships open up
  
  

That said, quality always beats quantity. A highly engaged 3,000-follower account often performs better than a 30k account with low interaction.

Can You Get Sponsored with Under 1,000 Followers?

Yes, you can—but it takes creativity and connection. Some smaller brands love working with everyday creators who have:

• A clear niche and consistent content
  
  
• A personal connection with their followers
  
  
• A willingness to promote products in natural ways
  
  

You may not land big cash deals at this level, but it’s a great place to start and build a sponsorship-ready profile.

Why Micro-Influencers and Nano-Creators Win in 2025

Micro (1k–10k) and nano (under 1k) influencers are trusted more than ever in 2025. Why? Because they feel more real. Their content isn’t overly polished, and they reply to comments and DMs. Brands see them as more relatable—and often more persuasive.

You’re not just promoting a product—you’re having a conversation around it.

If you're aiming to be a standout creator in this space, understanding how to craft an effective Instagram handle can make your brand more recognizable and easier to remember.

Focus on Engagement, Not Just Follower Count

Your engagement rate (likes, comments, shares, saves) is more important than the number at the top of your profile. Brands want proof that your followers actually care.

To improve your engagement:

• Ask questions in captions
  
  
• Encourage DMs and replies in Stories
  
  
• Share content that gets saved or shared
  
  

And don’t forget the little things—like formatting. If your captions look cluttered, they’re harder to read. Clean caption spacing helps keep posts easy on the eyes, especially during brand collabs.

How to Get Brands to Sponsor You (Even If You’re New)

You don’t need to wait for brands to find you. If you show value, you can start reaching out and landing deals on your own.

Build a Personal Brand That Feels Real

People follow you because of who you are—not just what you post. Your personal brand should be clear, consistent, and relatable.

Start by asking yourself:

• What’s the main theme or purpose of your content?
  
  
• What kind of tone do you use—funny, helpful, inspiring?
  
  
• What values do you share with your audience and potential sponsors?
  
  

When brands can quickly understand your vibe, they’re more likely to say yes.

Post Consistently in Your Niche

Consistency shows professionalism. If you’re bouncing between travel, food, fashion, and memes with no real focus, brands won’t know where you fit in.

Instead, pick a niche or two and stick to:

• A regular posting schedule (even if it’s just twice a week)
  
  
• Visuals that match your overall style
  
  
• Messaging that fits the kinds of brands you want to attract
  
  

Also, you don’t need to be everywhere. Use tools and insights to plan your content intentionally. Building a basic Instagram report can help you track what’s working and give brands the data they’ll want to see.

Use Story Highlights to Show What You Offer

Your Story Highlights are prime space to showcase your best content. Use them to create:

• “About Me” or “My Story” highlight
  
  
• “Collabs” or “Sponsored” to show past work
  
  
• “Testimonials” from brands or followers
  
  
• “UGC” to show how you create content for others
  
  

Think of it like a mini portfolio pinned to the top of your profile.

Creative Ways to Catch a Brand’s Attention

Sometimes, a creative nudge is all it takes to get noticed. Brands are constantly scanning Instagram for creators who already love their product or show genuine excitement—so showing initiative matters.

Create content with the brand even before they sponsor you

You don’t have to wait for a deal to start talking about a brand you like. Using and sharing their product authentically can make a big impression.

• Buy or use their product and post a casual Reel or Story about it
  
  
• Share a before-and-after or how-you-use-it post
  
  
• Talk about what makes it unique or helpful to your audience
  
  
• Mention the brand naturally in your caption or tag them when relevant
  
  

Brands love seeing their product featured without being asked—it shows you're a true fan.

Tag them in organic posts or reviews

When you tag a brand in a thoughtful way, you increase your chances of being reshared, followed, or noticed for a future campaign.

• Create a review post with honest, specific feedback
  
  
• Share a short tutorial or tip featuring their product
  
  
• Use branded hashtags if they have one
  
  
• Tag both the brand's main account and any niche product accounts they run
  
  

Engaging in their comments or replying to their Stories can also keep you on their radar.

Join their affiliate or ambassador program

Many brands offer low-barrier entry programs to test new creators and see how they perform. These are great opportunities to show your value.

• Look for affiliate links or ambassador sign-ups on their website
  
  
• Join via creator platforms that partner with the brand
  
  
• Once you're in, create high-quality content using your code or link
  
  
• Track how well your posts perform and be ready to share those results later
  
  

This is often the easiest way to turn a casual relationship into a paid sponsorship down the line.

How Much Does It Cost to Be Sponsored on Instagram?

This is one of the most common questions from creators just starting out. And honestly, it’s a fair one—there’s a lot of confusion around how sponsored content actually works behind the scenes.

How Sponsorships Actually Work

In most cases, creators don’t pay to be sponsored. It’s the other way around: brands either offer free PR packages, payment, or both in exchange for content that promotes what they’re selling.

That said, sponsorships are partnerships. You’re expected to:

• Follow a content brief or deliverables
  
  
• Post on specific dates or within a timeline
  
  
• Share your post performance afterward
  
  

Sponsorships can also come with contracts—so always read the fine print.

Do You Need to Pay to Be Sponsored?

Nope. If someone asks you to pay for a brand deal, it’s likely not a real sponsorship. Be cautious of scams that ask you to buy a product upfront “for exposure” or require sign-up fees to access “exclusive collabs.”

However, buying a product to create content organically (without obligation) is totally different—and often a smart move, as mentioned earlier.

Free vs Paid Collaborations: What to Expect Early On

At the beginning, most creators work with brands on a product-gifted basis. That means:

• You receive free product in exchange for content
  
  
• You may be asked to tag the brand or use a specific hashtag
  
  
• Payment may not come until you’ve built a stronger portfolio
  
  

To position yourself as sponsorship-ready, you should focus on building a trustworthy profile. One powerful method is learning how to remove or reduce your ghost followers, since they can harm your engagement rate and reduce your appeal to brands.

How Much Do Instagram Sponsors Pay?

Once you start doing paid collabs, knowing your worth becomes key. But there’s no flat rate for all influencers—it depends on a few key factors.

Average Rates Based on Follower Size

Here’s a rough guideline (rates can vary by industry and engagement):

• 1k–5k followers: $50–$150 per post
  
  
• 5k–10k followers: $100–$500
  
  
• 10k–50k followers: $300–$1,000+
  
  
• 50k–100k+: $750–$2,500+
  
  

Brands may also pay more for Reels, Story sets, or multi-post campaigns.

What Affects How Much You Can Charge

Several factors help determine your rate. Besides your follower count, brands also look at:

• Engagement rate (likes, comments, saves)
  
  
• Quality of your content (photo/video style)
  
  
• Niche and audience demographics
  
  
• Whether you include usage rights or exclusivity
  
  

If you're working across platforms, it's a bonus. Some creators attract more sponsorships by using their Instagram WordPress plugins to cross-promote their content on their websites, which helps extend brand reach and improve discoverability.

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Creative Ways to Offer Value to Brands

When you’re new, one way to stand out is to offer more than a single post. Think outside the grid and include add-ons like:

Offer short-form video bundles

Instead of one Reel, pitch a mini package:

• 2–3 Reels posted across a week
  
  
• Reels + matching Stories for context
  
  
• Edited versions the brand can repost
  
  

This shows initiative and makes you more cost-effective for the brand.

Include blog or email shoutouts if you have them

If you run a blog, newsletter, or YouTube channel, consider bundling those placements into your offer. Even small added value shows that you're thinking beyond just Instagram.

Creative Pitch Ideas to Get Noticed by Brands

You don’t need a formal agent to land brand deals—you just need a solid pitch and a little creativity.

How to Write a Simple, Effective Pitch

Your DM or email doesn’t have to be long. What matters is clarity and relevance. A good pitch includes:

• A short introduction and your niche
  
  
• What you love about the brand
  
  
• What kind of content you’d like to create
  
  
• Why your audience would care
  
  

If you're not sure where to start with your first outreach, this guide to crafting great Instagram bios can help sharpen your profile to leave a stronger first impression.

What to Include in a One-Page Media Kit

A media kit is like your creator resume. You can create it in Canva, Google Slides, or any design tool. It should include:

• Your name, niche, and location
  
  
• Key stats (follower count, engagement rate)
  
  
• Audience insights (age, gender, location breakdown)
  
  
• Past collab examples or testimonials
  
  
• Contact info and booking options
  
  

This helps brands quickly see who you are and why you’re a good fit.

Use Video Pitches or Instagram Reels to Stand Out

One of the best ways to catch attention? Show, don’t tell.

• Record a quick video introducing yourself and your idea
  
  
• Create a sample Reel using the brand’s product or theme
  
  
• Use Instagram’s DM video reply feature to keep things personal
  
  

If you're looking for ideas to make those videos hit harder, tap into some clever Instagram carousel formats—these can even be repurposed into multi-slide pitches that showcase your best work.

Where to Find Sponsorship Opportunities in 2025

Now that you’ve got the pitch and the confidence, here’s where to find actual deals.

Influencer Platforms and Marketplaces

These are sites where you can apply for brand collabs, view campaign briefs, and negotiate payment.

Some popular options include:

Brandsnob, Aspire, Collabstr, and more

These platforms connect creators with companies looking for social media content. You can:

• Browse open campaigns
  
  
• Submit applications directly
  
  
• Set your rates or accept brand offers
  
  

It’s a great way to get your first few deals and start building a portfolio.

Use Hashtags Like #BrandCollab or #SponsoredCreator

Instagram hashtags can actually lead to collab opportunities. Try using or browsing hashtags like:

• #BrandAmbassador
  
  
• #CollabOpportunity
  
  
• #PRList
  
  
• #SponsoredCreator
  
  
• #MicroInfluencer
  
  

Staying visible in these circles helps you build momentum—and even long-term collab relationships.

Keep an Eye on Brand Social Pages and Job Boards

Some companies post collab calls right in their Stories, pinned posts, or bio links. Also check platforms like:

• LinkedIn (search for influencer roles or campaigns)
  
  
• Twitter (brands often tweet open calls for UGC creators)
  
  
• Niche creator job boards like WorkWithJenna or Sidewalker Daily
  
  

With some persistence—and a smart system—you’ll start seeing more doors open.