If you want free sponsorships on Instagram, you’re in the right place. This guide explains how to get free products (like clothes if you’re into fashion) and paid posts once you have at least 5,000 followers and consistent engagement.
Quick approach
– Wear branded items and tag the brands in your posts. Brands notice when you already use and feature their products.
– You can set a price for sponsored posts; brands that can afford your rate will contact you.
– Aim for at least ~500 likes per post to be attractive to sponsors.
– Use influencer platforms that connect creators with brands, such as https://chamboost.com/ and https://aspireiq.com/. Brands also use services like Revfluence (now part of AspireIQ) to find ambassadors.
Before applying for sponsorships, follow these eight steps:
1. Define your brand
– Pick a clear niche (fashion, food, fitness, travel, etc.). Sponsors prefer creators with a focused audience.
– Create a consistent aesthetic and tone so your feed looks cohesive and professional.
2. Know your audience
– Collect basic demographics: age, gender, location.
– Track which posts perform best, when your audience is most active, and what content they engage with. This helps you pitch the right brands.
3. Post consistently
– Aim to post at least once per day (up to three times daily is fine). Consistency builds trust and keeps your account visible to both followers and brands.
– Regular posting demonstrates reliability—brands want consistent partners.
4. Use hashtags and geotags
– Hashtags increase discoverability. You can use up to 30, but research shows ~9 targeted hashtags often work well. Use relevant, specific tags rather than broad, unrelated ones.
– Geotags help people searching for content in a location find you and can attract local brands.
5. Tag brands in your posts
– Whenever you wear or use a brand’s product, tag the brand. Update older relevant posts to tag brands too.
– Start with smaller/local brands—they often look for micro-influencers to promote products and are easier to work with at first.
6. Include contact info in your bio
– Add an email address or website link and, if possible, a press kit. Make it easy for brands to contact you.
– Treat your bio like a business card: clear title, contact, and a concise pitch.
7. Pitch paid sponsorships
– Reach out to brands whose Instagram presence shows they invest in partnerships. Send a short, professional pitch explaining your audience, engagement, and what you offer.
– Research similar influencers to see typical collaborations and start with smaller brands to build a sponsor portfolio.
8. Know your worth
– A common baseline is $10 per 1,000 followers, but rates vary by engagement and niche. If you have strong engagement you can charge more.
– Create packages (e.g., post + stories + bio link for 24 hours) to increase value. Be ready to negotiate but be firm on your minimum.
Additional tips
– Build a media kit: include follower demographics, average likes/comments, past sponsored work, and contact info.
– Use Instagram Stories, Reels, and other features to show versatility and provide more options to brands.
– Keep records of past collaborations and performance metrics to show ROI to potential sponsors.
– Be transparent: follow disclosure rules (e.g., #ad, #sponsored) to stay compliant and credible.
Start small, be professional, and grow your portfolio. With consistent content, clear branding, targeted outreach, and proper contact information, brands will begin to notice and reach out for free products or paid sponsorships.
