As you scroll through your YouTube feed, you can't help but feel envious of those creators who seem to be scoring sponsorships left and right. You know that landing brand partnership deals could boost your channel to a new level, but getting those elusive sponsors seems impossible. How to Get Sponsored on YouTube is an impossible puzzle. But, like most challenges on the platform, breaking it down into smaller steps can help you solve it. This guide will walk you through exactly how to get sponsored on YouTube to achieve your goals, like going viral through influencer marketing services.
Brand partnership deals can help you achieve your goals, whether you want to go viral through influencer marketing services or something else. At Aha Creator, we connect creators with brands looking to reach their audiences through authentic content.
How Much Do YouTube Sponsors Pay?
What Do YouTubers Get Paid for Sponsorships?
YouTube sponsorships typically pay creators around $20 per 1,000 subscribers per video. This figure means a creator with 10,000 subscribers could earn around $200 for a sponsorship. Of course, this number can fluctuate based on a range of factors.
A report from Intellifluence highlights that nano-influencers on YouTube expect to be paid an average of $169.40 for completing a campaign. For micro-influencers, the average cost is higher—$555.56. Every niche on YouTube has a different supply and demand of influencers who create content and brands looking for partnerships.
What Affects Sponsorship Rates?
As with every influencer marketing niche and platform, sponsorship rates for YouTubers are mainly set by market supply and demand changes. YouTube sponsors usually consider several key factors when determining how much to pay creators. Here are some of the most common ones:
Audience Size and Engagement
Larger channels with high engagement (likes, comments, shares, and watch time) typically attract higher rates, as sponsors want to reach as many interested viewers as possible.
Audience Demographics
Sponsors may pay more for channels that align with their target demographics, including age, gender, location, and interests. For example, a tech brand may highly value a younger, tech-savvy audience.
Niche and Content Relevance
Channels that cover specific niches, such as beauty, fitness, or gaming, often attract higher pay from brands within those industries. A relevant audience can drive better brand results, increasing the value of sponsorships.
Video Views
The average views per video are a critical metric since they directly influence the reach a brand can expect from a sponsored video. Consistently high views can result in better sponsorship deals.
Channel Reputation and Credibility
Brands often consider creators with strong credibility and influence over their audience more trustworthy. This trust factor can drive engagement and conversions, leading sponsors to pay more.
Engagement Metrics (CTR, CPM, etc.)
Some brands look at click-through rates (CTR) or CPM (cost per thousand views) to gauge the creator's ability to drive action or engagement, which helps determine the sponsorship fee.
Content Format
Video format and type (e.g., dedicated videos, integrations, or shoutouts) can impact the pay rate. A dedicated video may command a higher rate than a quick shoutout or mention in a video.
Exclusivity Agreements
If a sponsor requires exclusivity (preventing the creator from promoting competitors), they may pay more to secure that exclusivity.
Platform
While primarily for YouTube, some sponsors may consider multi-platform reach (e.g., Instagram, Twitter, TikTok) when negotiating. A broader influence across platforms can lead to better deals.
Geographic Reach and Regional Rates
YouTube sponsorship rates may vary by region, with creators in areas with high purchasing potential audiences typically commanding higher rates.
How To Find Sponsors On YouTube
1. Uncovering Sponsors Directly on YouTube
One effective way to discover potential sponsors on YouTube is by examining other creators' content in your niche. When watching their videos, consider any sponsorships mentioned within the first thirty seconds. In this section, YouTube creators usually disclose who their sponsors are to be transparent with their audiences. Once you have the name of a brand, your next step is finding the right people to contact within that company. A great way to do this is by searching LinkedIn for an Influencer Marketing Manager or Social Media Manager.
If you can’t locate any of these professionals working for the brand, your next best bet would be to find the Marketing Manager or Digital Marketing Manager. Once you have identified the right person, you can contact them directly on LinkedIn or try to find their email address. An excellent way to source the email address for any person on LinkedIn is by using the Google Chrome extensions Apollo.io or Skrapp.
2. Develop Your Influencer Media Kit
A media kit is like your influencer's CV. It should act as a portfolio that will make you look more attractive to the potential client you want to work with. Putting in the hard work of creating an impressive media kit for your public relations goals is worth it. Once you’ve completed yours, you can send it to potential business opportunities. Or better yet, when marketers reach out to you, you’ll be ready to sell them on a partnership.
What should be included about your YouTube channel in your Influencer Media Kit: Your total amount of subscribers on YouTube, Your average amount of views you get per YouTube video (based on the last 10 videos), Your average amount of likes, dislikes, and comments you get per video Your audience age of your viewers Your audience gender of your viewers Your audience countries of your viewers Your content niche like fashion, beauty, gaming, fitness, etc. A small biography that highlights who you are and why your audience is following you. If you have previous YouTube collaborations with other brands, Highlight them in your MediaKit. Your contact information.
Aha Creator: Get a Sponsor Without the Stress
Aha Creator streamlines brand partnerships for YouTube creators and businesses alike. We offer a done-for-you partnership service for brands to connect with the right creators. For content creators, we handle the heavy lifting of brand deal negotiations, ensuring you get fair value for your influence. Our matching system helps pair creators with relevant brands, maximizing the potential for successful collaborations. Sign up for our waitlist today, and we'll work to connect you with partnership opportunities that align with your content and values.
Aha Creator simplifies collaborations between YouTube creators and brands. We help brands find the right creators for their target audience and assist content creators with the often complex process of brand deals. Aha Creator handles the negotiations and paperwork so you can focus on your content. Our system also helps match creators with relevant brands to maximize the potential for successful partnerships. Sign up for our waitlist today, and we’ll work to connect you with partnership opportunities that align with your content and values.
2. Apply to YouTube’s BrandConnect
YouTube BrandConnect is a monetization service that connects selected YouTubers with potential branded sponsorships. To sign up for YouTube BrandConnect, ensure you meet the minimum eligibility requirements: you’re over 18 years old, you’re a part of the YouTube Partner Program, you’re based in the U.S., Canada, or the United Kingdom, and you have no active Community Guideline strikes.
3. Reach Out to Brands Directly
Reaching out to potential sponsors might sound like a time-consuming task, but it’s one of the most effective ways to score a brand deal. Create a list of 50 to 100 potential sponsors, collect their contact information, then send a personalized email. Make sure to include your pitch video and media toolkit.
4. Prepare with Video Package Deals
If a potential sponsor contacts you via email, be prepared to discuss a set of video packages with them. Creating a variety of pre-made video package deals to select from can reduce the time it takes to get started and help establish your price range and inclusions. Clearly define what video content you can offer, how many tags and sponsor links you can include, and your rates.
5. Grow Your Subscriber Base
We recommend having at least 1000 subscribers before reaching out to brands for potential sponsorships. Brands are looking for YouTubers with higher views and an engaged audience who could be potential customers. By creating consistent content, being visible in your YouTube niche, sharing videos on different platforms, and learning the right YouTube SEO tricks, you’ll be able to grow your channel in no time.
Benefits of YouTube Sponsors
Genuine Promotion: Why Authenticity Matters When Getting Sponsored on YouTube
Creators have established a solid relationship of trust with their viewers, which makes their endorsements more believable and influential. For example, Emma Chamberlain has developed a deeply personal connection with her audience, creating a background that makes her sponsorships feel organic and trustworthy. When she partnered with brands like Louis Vuitton, her authentic promotion style resonated with her fans, adding credibility to the name.
Reach Your Target Audience: Get Sponsored on YouTube for Niche Marketing
Brands can reach specific niches and demographics that align closely with their target market. For example, Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) is known for his tech-focused content, making him a prime choice for brands like Google, Samsung, and Tesla. These companies target a tech-savvy audience; his niche reach helps them directly engage this demographic.
Boost Engagement Levels: Create Content People Want to Watch
Sponsored content often generates high levels of engagement, as viewers are more likely to interact with content they trust and enjoy. Lilly Singh (aka Superwoman) has collaborated with brands like Olay and Beats by Dre. Her audience is highly interactive, often commenting, sharing, and liking her videos, which provides high engagement levels that amplify the brand message.
Enjoy Creative Freedom: Get Sponsored on YouTube to Make Ads Your Own
Creators can showcase the product naturally and engagingly, avoiding the hard-sell tactics typical of traditional advertising. David Dobrik often integrates sponsors like SeatGeek naturally and with fun, showcasing how the brand fits into his lifestyle and content without feeling overly promotional. His relaxed approach to ads allows him to maintain authenticity while delivering the brand’s message.
Sign Up for Our Waitlist to Get Connected with Your Dream Brand Partnership Deal
The brand partnership process can be tedious and stressful for YouTube creators and companies looking to sponsor them. Aha Creator streamlines this process for both parties. We offer a done-for-you partnership service for brands to connect with the right creators. Aha handles brand deal negotiations for content creators, ensuring you get fair value for your influence.
Our matching system helps pair creators with relevant brands, maximizing the potential for successful collaborations. Sign up for our waitlist today, and we’ll connect you with partnership opportunities that align with your content and values.