How to get YouTube sponsorship as a small channel (2023)

We've all seen sponsored content while watching videos from mega YouTubers, but did you know that smaller creators can get sponsored too?

In 2020, the ten brands with the most overall spending$368 millionabout YouTube influencer sponsorships. YouTube is used in36% of the entire Influencers Campaign, so there are many ways to give back.

In this guide, we'll cover exactly how to get YouTube sponsors, even with a small channel. First, let's talk about thoseThe typesponsorships available.

There are three main types of YouTube sponsorships that you can use to monetize your channel.

product sponsorship

Product endorsement is when a brand sends you a free product to review. Product reviews are often the first type of endorsement a creator tries.

Product sponsorships can be as small as receiving a free piece of clothing, or much larger, such as winning a free trip or travel experience.

The travel designer behind itbreak a budgetshe landed a product sponsorship with a travel backpack company by contacting them on social media.

The brand sent out three free bags to check out on their channel, as well as a discount code for their viewers to use when making a purchase.

For higher value items, product endorsement can also mean you receive a discount on your product purchase.

For example, the outdoor sports brandboring progresshe got a sponsorship from GoPro when he had around 10,000 subscribers.

According to the video, they didn't get a free GoPro, but they did get a discount on all GoPro products.

Affiliate-Sponsorship

in oneaffiliate marketingdeal you get a special link or code for a product. If someone uses this link, you will earn a commission for that sale.

Affiliate sponsorship is a great option for small channels. Often, you can apply to join a brand's affiliate program, no matter how many YouTube subscribers you have.

The creator Dylan Thompson created, for examplea video about Allbirds shoes. The description includes the affiliate link and states that they will receive a small commission if someone makes a purchase.

Affiliate marketing allows you to earn significant referral commission income even with a smaller number of followers.

YouTube Paid Sponsorship

Paid programs are the highest level of YouTube sponsorship. With paid sponsorship, you promote a product or service on your channel for a fee.

These opportunities are rarer than product or affiliate sponsorships and are more likely to present themselves once you get started.expand your channel- More on that in a moment.

Now that you know what types of YouTube sponsorships exist, here's what you need to do to get one.

How to Get YouTube Sponsorship as a Small Channel

#1 Make your channel look professional

If you are looking for YouTube sponsors, you should start by using paper. You want your channel to feel professional and engaging so that when brands come knocking on your door, they're happy to work with you.

Make sure your channel information is complete and includes a banner image, channel trailer, related video playlists, and an about section.

You should already have several videos on your channel before you approach brands, and it's important to show that you have a consistent posting schedule.

Take the time to create great thumbnail images and descriptions for your videos. Free tools like Canva are great for creating eye-catching thumbnails and banners.

this channel ofadventure seekersis a great example of how a vibrant banner and cohesive branded thumbnails can make your videos stand out.

Essentially, think of your channel as your portfolio that brands see before they decide to collaborate. The more professional your channel looks, the more options you will have.

#2 Grow your subscriber base

Even if it doesn't have to be huge, you have to have itsomefollow before getting sponsorships. Brands want to showcase their products and services to potential buyers, so you need to show that your videos are getting views.

As a general rule of thumb, aim for 1,000 subscribers before you start submitting and applying for jobs.

If you are new to YouTube and needIncrease your followersHere are some ways to do it:

• Create quality content.Consistency keeps the YouTube algorithm and your followers happy. Ideally, try to regularly post at least one video per week.

• niche down. Sticking to a topic like gaming, gardening, or device reviews can help you attract your ideal audience.

• Learn YouTube SEO ( search engine optimization ).tools likeTubeBuddymiVidIQ

  It can tell you how many people are searching for specific keywords, so you know which topics to target.

• Make it easy for people to sign up.Remind viewers on your video to subscribe to your channel. Include a call-to-action (CTA) link in your video description.

Sounds simple, but consistently creating great content is the best way to grow your channel. And the more you grow, the more opportunities will come your way.

Focus on delivering as much value as possible to your viewers. Having a dedicated and loyal following of people who share your passion is much more valuable than a million indifferent viewers.

Keep honing your style and your voice as a creator. spend time learningVideo Editing Tipsand practice your delivery skills. That way, you'll be ready when it's time to make a good first impression.

#3 Scope Marks

With your channel optimized and your following growing, it's time to reach out to brands and businesses.

The first thing to do is create a media kit. A media kit is essentially your resume for your YouTube channel. You can find great media kit templates on free platforms likecanvas.

Here's what to include in your media kit:

• Number of subscribers and hours viewed

• Current statistics from relevant channels like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

• Information about your audience demographics and content niche

• Examples of previous collaborations you have done, if applicable

Then brainstorm brands that align with the content you create and your existing audience. Think about the products you already use, like and recommend them to your friends.

Here it is important to differentiate. Let's say you have a channel about gluten-free recipes. If you suddenly start posting sponsored videos about clothing, it can confuse and annoy your audience.

Think about which companies and products are most relevant, entertaining, and valuable to your viewers.

Once you have your list, search for phrases like "[Brand Name] YouTube Sponsorship App" or "[Brand Name] Influencer Program" to see if they already have a system.

GoPro has one, for exampleSponsorship request pagewhere content creators, athletes, and adventure enthusiasts can seek partnerships.

NordVPN has oneDedicated page for YouTube and Twitch creators only. Here you can apply to the influencer marketing program and earn money as an ambassador.

You can also find sponsorship opportunities by going to a brand's website and scrolling to the footer. Look for links that say things like "associations" or "affiliates." This should take you to a page where you can sign up to contribute.

For example, himAllbirds SchuhfirmaWe already mentioned that there is an affiliate app on your website that is linked in the footer. Here you can sign up as a Social Media Ambassador or Media Editor to earn commissions.

If the brand you want to work with doesn't have a signup page on their website, you can always email them. Go to the contact page and look for an email address related to press, associations, marketing or ambassadors, not just the general company email.

When submitting your message, be sure to include helpful channel stats as well as your media kit. They may only have a few seconds to be on your radar, so make it clear what they stand to gain from working with you.

#4 Use YouTube sponsorship platforms

Another place where you can find brands to collaborate with is YouTube sponsorship platforms. These are places where companies and creatives can network.

YouTube BrandConnect (bit de fama anterior): YouTube Brand Connectionis YouTube's own influencer platform. Here you can organize deals and partnerships with brands directly in the YouTube ecosystem.

To participate, you must be a part of the YouTube Partner Program with 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. This platform is currently only available in the US, UK, and Canada.

Weindorf: Weinrebendorfis a network where creators can find brand opportunities, organize logistics, and get paid, all on one platform.

According to their website, you need to have 10,000 YouTube subscribers or 10,000 Instagram followers to sign up, so this is a good platform to aim for as a long-term goal.

Channel pages:Onechannel sidesYouTubers create a profile that brands can discover through their YouTube influencer search. You can also apply for the vacancies that brands post on the platform.

#5 Expand beyond YouTube

Finally, it's a good idea to expand into other channels.start a blogmiBuilding your social media accountsThis means you can offer sponsors more for their money and greater reach.

For example, tour operator Jessie on a Journey partnered with a tour company while visiting the Galapagos Islands. she created the writingblog contentmiYouTube Contentabout the experience, which meant more views from a wider audience.

By going beyond YouTube, you can make your packages even more appealing to brands.

If you have a large following, YouTube sponsorship can be very profitable.

In 2020, a global survey found that YouTube channels with more than a million followers earn a minimum of$7,332 for a sponsored video, on average. Channels with 100,000 to 1 million followers earn at least $1,306 per sponsored video.

But how much can a YouTuber earn with a smaller channel?

A Klear study of over 2,500 influencersfound the following average influencer rates based on audience size:

• Nano (500-5000 subscribers): $315 per video

• Micro (5,000-30,000 subscribers): $908 per video

• Yield (30,000 to 500,000 subscribers): $782 per video

• Celebrity (+500,000 subscribers): $3857 per video

The amount you earn depends on your niche and the size of your audience. One study found marks on thegaming and technology nichesspent more money on YouTube influencers.

Of course, influencer pay rates aren't standardized, so take it easy, but it helps to have some ballpark numbers.

Simply put, it's possible to make a lot of money from YouTube sponsorships, but it's a good idea for smaller YouTubers to consider other sources of monetization as well.

Other ways to monetize your YouTube channel

In addition to looking for sponsorships, there are a few other options heremake money on youtube.

Enable YouTube ads

Once you have more than 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of viewing, you can apply for membershipYouTube Affiliate Program. In the affiliate programYouTube shows ads on your videos, and you get paid based on the number of views.

On the plus side, YouTube ads are a form of passive income. All you have to do is activate them on your videos and start earning money.

On the other hand, the amount creators earn per ad view is very small. This method is best used in parallelother monetization tactics.

Sell ​​downloads and digital courses

Create and sell products onlineIt's a great way to monetize a creator's work.

When creating your YouTube channel, be aware of premium content or information updates that are too long for a single video. These themes are great digital products to sell.

For example, if you make YouTube videos about surfing, you could write an eBook with surf gear recommendations.

You already have an audience built on your channel for this product, so you can mention your eBook in the appropriate places in your YouTube videos and link to it in the description.

the creator couldemil millsit doesYouTube videos on drawing and sketching. Below his videos, she includes links to his book and online courses where he teaches more advanced Sketchnote skills.

use yoursYoutube channel to promote your online coursesand digital downloads allow you to add value to your audience and monetize their experience.

Speaking of which, Podia makes it easy to sell all kinds of digital products.Get started today with a free account.

Offer paid subscriptions and communities

Another popular way to monetize a YouTube channel is through paid subscriptions andcommunities. Chances are your followers already have some interests in common. After all, that's why they follow your channel.

Togetherpaid community, you can give those people a place to delve into the passions you share, meet people with similar interests, network, and access your unique content.

the creator coulddavid hutchinsonoffers, for example, piano lessons, courses and subscriptions for students who want to deepen their musical knowledge.

The channel on the youtube blurcontains useful piano tutorials. In the video descriptions, he tells viewers that they can learn even more piano skills from his community of members.

Promoting your premium products, courses, and subscriptions alongside your YouTube videos can be a great way to earn more even without a big channel.

Whether you're sponsoring or investing in other monetization streams, YouTube can be a powerful platform for building your brand.

We hope this guide points you to exciting sponsorship offers, marketing campaigns, and creative opportunities in the future.