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XV | The Best Way to Get Brand Deals

XV | The Best Way to Get Brand Deals

PLUS: Speed is reshaping government views and a new social app with a twist!🤔

Creator X & JT Barnett
April 17, 2025

What’s Hot?

Hong Kong to start backing content creators!

After IShowSpeed’s Asia tour went crazy viral this month, Hong Kong is endorsing content creators. Now, they’re encouraging influencers to film and show off the city even promising easier logistics. They see the potential in viral moments. This fires me up🔥! Everyone’s starting to see just how much influence creators really have. 😎

Bonus monetization for TT creators 💸

TikTok just dropped an invite-only rewards program to keep creators posting on the platform. Offering bonus cash for high-quality content, aiming to boost overall standards and keep both creators and advertisers locked in.

400,000 people on waitlist for this one app

Would you use an app that doesn’t show likes or follower count? 🤔

Made in China myths and truths

No better person than Oren to explain the China manufacturing videos thats been flooding your FYP’s this week. Watch this deep dive to reeally understand what’s gong on.

Be YOU and people will watch 🫶

“Your audience isn't looking for perfection, they're looking for proof”. A wholesome message for creators feeling confused or lost right now.

Influencer marketing budgets are going up! 📈

Brands are set to spend over $10.5B in 2025, with most focusing on real engagement over follower counts. Long-term partnerships are valuable, but finding the right talent is still a top challenge.

The top app in the app store this week?

The “yellow app” is making waves in the US, thanks to viral TikToks and rising prices.

How Influencers' Dreams Are Shaping Next-Gen Goals

Interesting study on brandification and identity of Gen Z’s!

CEO’s Corner

If you're trying to land brand deals, you've probably heard the usual advice —

📣 “post consistently, build your niche, build a following, and let brands to reach out!”
But that’s not always the full picture. Truth is… some of the best partnerships don’t start with a pitch or a free package.

Let me tell you what I’ve done for my last five brand deals! This strategy is simple, repeatable, and something you can start today! 😤 👊

📦 Step 1: Buy the product.

If there’s a product you genuinely love or keep seeing around, don’t wait for it to show up in your inbox. Go purchase it. Not because someone told you to, but because it fits your life and feels like something your audience would actually care about.

Remember: Brands pay attention to creators who already use and love their stuff, it’s a green flag for real partnership potential! ✅

⏳Step 2: Actually use the product

Don’t rush into content the second it arrives. Use it like any other customer would. See if it fits into your daily routine, your workflow, your lifestyle! Taking that time gives you clarity, PLUS your content doesn’t feel forced. 🤷‍♂️

Pro tip: The more time you spend with a product, the easier it’ll be to speak about it naturally. That authenticity is what helps your audience connect with your opinion. 🫶

📩 Step 3: Reach out!

Once it clicks—once you know it’s something you’d back—that’s the time to DM or email the brand. Share that you’ve been using their product. Show them you’ve already been posting about it. Let them know you’re not guessing—you’re coming in with context and confidence.

Why this works: You’re not pitching a dream… you’re presenting a case study! You’re showing them proof and that’s way more powerful. 💪

✅ The outcome?

Better deals, personal content, trust from your audience.

This really keeps everything aligned: the product, your content, your audience, brand’s goals. 🎯

No awkward sponsored posts with scripts written by the brand. There’s no pretending. Just content that connects (because you actually tried it and used it in your daily life, so now you can share with the world why YOU liked the product and how it can help others!) ⚡️⚡️