Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to support me by reading this mini blog.

As my Instagram grows, there are many questions I get about a lot of subjects. None of which seem so elusive then ‘working with brands’. Which I get, it is what helps pay the bills around here.

As most of you know this has become my business. So what is it that I do exactly?

Great question, not just one answer applies. I have generated, as they call it, multiple sources of income. So I give Social Media training, I consult (mostly start-ups) on how to manage their social media but I also create content. I create stock photos by order or I work with brands to make sure they get eyes on their products.

It might be that this is different for a lot of creators but to me this actually happened sort of by accident. I always knew I loved making mostly flatlays, aesthetically pleasing shots.

I think most of us start out with gifted campaigns, this is also called a barter deal. You will get a product, or several for free, in return you make gorgeous content for free.

And while this is a lot of fun, this does not pay my mortgage. I wish I could do all the gifted campaigns ever offered to me, but that would not fit this room.

Now is gifted bad? NO, it is fun, it is a great way to practice your skills, to learn how to work campaigns. BUT IT DOES NOT PAY THE BILLS!

Now, if this is just a side hustle, just go for it if the brand that dm’s you is interesting. Otherwise, if you are serious about this, I have a few tips. ( there are red flags here, I will do another blog about that)

First of all know your worth, is your content really all that, or do you need some more skills? (ask other creators what they think, and ask them to be honest)

Pricing, if your content is bomb, make sure to not sell yourself short. Everyone makes mistakes, my first campaign only paid me €200.- I did not know better!

Don’t do a reel, a feed post and several stories for pocket change, know your worth!

Negotiate, everyone will negotiate with you, it is sort of standard. So if you like to make €500, tell them you want to make €600 at least, give yourself some room.

Say NO, if the offer is low, you can just walk away. Even if you have been emailing for a few days with a company.

Don’t expect to make huge amounts right away, that is totally fine. Just step away from the gifted ones.

Now my last tip, otherwise there will be nothing mini about this blog: I always tell brands as follows where offered a gifted campaign:

‘I am not able, at this time in my career as a content creator, to do barter deals. This would not be fair to my paying clients’

I hope this helps!

Please let me know if any of these tips help you land deals. If there is other stuff you would like to know, feel free to leave it here in the comments!

Love, Esther