5 min read
Matt Gray

Influencers’ Blueprint: How To Get Sponsored on TikTok

You’ve likely seen videos of TikTok users dancing to a catchy new song. Or maybe you like the funny ones with people doing pranks. That’s much of what makes up TikTok.

It’s a place online where you share short videos and potentially have millions of people watch them. Did you know that TikTok grows bigger every day? Because of that, you can make money on the platform.

One of the most effective ways is by working with brands to make sponsored videos. Let’s learn how to make money on TikTok with your creativity.

1. Setting the Groundwork

Your TikTok profile is your first impression on potential followers. More importantly, it’s also your first impression on brands looking for influencers to work with. Thus, you want your profile to shine. Here’s how to make your profile stand out and set the stage for sponsorship success:

Make Your TikTok Stand Out

Your TikTok profile is like your online storefront. You want people to walk in and immediately know what you’re all about. 

Let’s break down how to make that happen:

  • Picture Perfect: Your profile picture should be clear and professional. It could be a photo of yourself or a logo that represents your brand. Either way, make sure it stands out from the crowd.
  • Write a Winning Bio: This is your short introduction. Keep it catchy but clear. Tell people what kind of content you make and why they should follow you. 
  • Links Are Key: TikTok lets you add links to your other social media pages or your website. This helps people find more of your stuff — and it’s a way for brands to check you out.
  • Get Your Email Ready: Include your business email in your profile. This tells brands you’re open to working with them. Even better, add a line that says “Interested in sponsorships” so there’s no misunderstanding.

These are the basics that content creators use to make their TikTok profile pop. It’s the first step to attract both an audience and the brands that want to reach them. Once you nail this, you’re ready to build a loyal following — the true key to securing awesome sponsorships.

Build a Strong TikTok Following

To get brand deals with your TikTok account, you need a dedicated audience. Let’s talk about how to make that happen:

  • Pick Your Niche: What are you passionate about? Do you love baking, video games, or fashion? Choose a topic you’re excited to share and won’t get tired of.
  • Know Your People: Who are you trying to reach with your videos? Think about their age, interests, and what kind of problems you can help them solve. This will make it way easier to create content they love.
  • Consistency Is King: Post regularly so your followers can count on you. There’s no magic number, but showing up often is key for TikTok’s algorithm to push your videos out.
  • Use Trendy Sounds and Hashtags: See what’s popular on TikTok and find a way to make it fit your style. This gets your TikTok videos in front of more eyes.
  • Get Your Audience Involved: Run contests, ask questions in your captions, and respond to comments. When people feel connected to you, they’re more likely to stick around.

Building a strong following takes time and effort. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see huge results overnight. Stay focused on creating amazing videos, and your audience will grow.

2. Getting Brands To Notice You

You’ve built an awesome TikTok profile that shows off your personality and niche. Now it’s time to make brands stop and take notice. 

Let’s look at ways to actively get on their radar and start building collaborations.

Show Your Worth With Organic Content

You could wait for brands to find you, but why not show them what you’re capable of right now? Here’s how:

  • Share the Love (Genuinely): Talk about brands you already love. Explain why their products are amazing and how they help you. Just be honest — people can spot fake enthusiasm a mile away.
  • Make Them Click: Include links in your videos so your viewers can find those awesome products. Tools like magic links make this super easy, and you earn money each time someone buys.
  • Focus on Results: Brands want influencers who can make people buy their stuff. Keep track of how many people click your links and make purchases. These numbers will impress potential sponsors.

Remember, showing what you can do for a brand is way more powerful than simply telling them. By focusing on genuine content and highlighting your ability to drive sales, you’ll quickly stand out as a valuable influencer.

Pitch Yourself Like a Pro

When you’re ready to reach out to brands directly, be prepared:

  • Know Your Numbers: Understand how many followers you have and your audience demographics. That’s the type of people who watch your videos (age, location, interests) and how often they watch. Brands need this info to decide if you’re a good fit for their audience.
  • Your Media Kit: Think of this like your influencer resume. It should showcase your best content, your stats, and how to contact you. There are tons of free templates online to help you get started.
  • Linktree: This tool lets you make a simple page with links to all your social media, your website, or anything else you want to share. Brands can check out your other channels to get a better sense of your content style.
  • The Video Pitch: Sometimes, it’s easier to show what you can do instead of just writing about it. Record a short (like 30 seconds) video for brands. Introduce yourself, tell them what your TikTok is about, and give a quick example of how you’d promote their product in a creative way.

Even if a brand says “no” the first time, don’t give up. Keep building your following and creating amazing content. You might connect with those same companies later as your audience grows.

A quick word about influencer marketing: This is the term for when people on social media promote brands. As you build a following on TikTok, you’re becoming a micro-influencer. This makes you super attractive to brands who want to connect to their target audience.

3. Understanding TikTok Sponsorships

You’ve got the audience, you’ve caught the eye of brands — now it’s time to understand the world of TikTok sponsorships. Think of this as leveling up your influencer skills, from creating amazing content to negotiating awesome deals.

Managing Brand Partnerships

Getting paid to make TikToks certainly sounds appealing, but not every partnership will be a perfect match. Here’s how to know if a brand is right for you:

  • Is it a Good Fit?: Think about the products or services the brand offers. Do they align with your niche and the type of content you create? Promoting makeup when your videos are about video games will confuse your audience.
  • Who’s Watching?: Consider the age, interests, and location of your followers. Are they the kind of people likely to buy what the brand is selling? This matters a lot to potential sponsors.
  • Finding the Right Companies: How do you even begin to find brands to partner with? Start by watching other TikTokers in your niche — see what brands they work with. Also, search online for companies that fit your style, and don’t be afraid to reach out to them directly.
  • Agency Help: Special agencies exist to connect influencers with brands. If you’re struggling to find deals on your own or want help with the negotiation process, this can be a good option.

By carefully choosing the right brands to partner with, you’ll create sponsored content that feels authentic to your audience and leads to success for both you and the company. This is what smart TikTok sponsorship is all about.

How Much Should You Charge?

This is the tricky part. Your worth as an influencer is based on several things:

  • Follower Count: More followers usually mean you can charge more. But don’t get discouraged if you have a smaller following — brands also care if your audience is super engaged with your content.
  • Watch Time: How long do people watch your videos all the way through? This tells brands that your content is interesting enough to hold someone’s attention.
  • Click-Throughs and Sales: Remember those links you put in your organic content? If you see lots of clicks and even sales, this proves you can influence people’s buying decisions. Sponsors love this.

Don’t undersell yourself. It’s OK to negotiate with brands to get paid what you’re worth. There are resources online that can give you ideas of fair pricing based on your follower count and engagement rate.

And remember, as your account grows and your audience gets more engaged, you can start charging even more for sponsorships. It’s a win-win.

4. Making Sponsored Content Shine

You’ve landed that exciting sponsorship deal — now it’s time to create content that will impress both the brand and your loyal followers. Remember, authenticity and creativity are everything on TikTok.

Tips for Sponsored Tiktok Posts

Getting paid to promote brands is awesome, but remember — your audience trusts you. Here’s how to create sponsored TikToks that both your followers and the brands will love:

  • Stay True to You: Don’t change who you are just because it’s a sponsored post. Keep your same style and energy, and promote products that feel like a natural fit. Remember, your audience will know if you’re faking it.
  • Creativity Is a Necessity: Find fun and unique ways to feature the brand in your videos. The more entertaining and interesting your content, the more people will watch it.
  • Be Clear About the Deal: Always use #ad or tag the brand to let your audience know it’s a sponsored post. This builds trust and avoids any confusion.
  • Focus on Value: Instead of just saying, “Buy this,” explain why the product is awesome and how it would be useful or exciting for your followers.

By following these tips, you’ll create sponsored TikToks that are true to your personal brand. It’s a great way to excite your audience, resulting in successful partnerships with awesome brands. Now, that’s what makes a true TikTok influencer.

Tools To Elevate Your Videos

TikTok has some built-in editing features, but there’s more out there to take your videos to the next level:

  • Descript: As the leading TikTok editor, this software lets you do advanced editing. You can add cool effects, transitions, and even voiceovers to set your sponsored content apart.
  • TikTok Analytics: This is part of TikTok itself and lets you see tons of data about your account. You can see what type of videos do well, what time of day your audience is most active, and more. This helps you tailor your content to get maximum views and engagement.
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It’s worth mentioning that even if you’re working with a brand, you still get creative control. If they ask you to make a video that doesn’t feel right or won’t resonate with your followers, don’t be afraid to speak up and offer a different idea.

Before posting your sponsored video, show it to a friend or family member you trust. Get their honest feedback — does it seem genuine? Would it make them want to check out the product? Outside perspectives are super helpful.

Conclusion

Building a successful TikTok presence takes time and effort, but the rewards are awesome. Remember to be consistent, create genuine content your audience loves, and always be learning about the platform.

If you keep at it, you’ll attract followers and brands eager to partner with you. It’ll open doors to exciting opportunities. Ready to take your TikTok game to the next level?

Sign up for the Founder OS newsletter for even more tips and strategies. Find out how the Founder OS Program could help turn your content creation into a thriving business.

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Matt Gray

Founder & CEO of Founder OS

I’ve built 4 successful companies and a community of over 14 million people. My mission is to help 100,000,000 founders automate their business and hit $5,000,000 profit per year. I help you grow your personal brand and business in just 3 minutes a week.

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