When you’re just starting out as a blogger, getting brand collaborations might feel like something reserved for influencers with huge followings. The truth is, you don’t need tens of thousands of followers or years of experience to start working with brands — what matters more is your niche, your content quality, and how you connect with your audience.

Here’s how to get brand collaborations as a blogger — even if your audience is still growing.

Focus on Value, Not Size

Brands want to reach real people — not just numbers. If you have an engaged audience, even if it’s small, you’re already valuable.

Think about:

• Who reads your blog? What kind of people are they?
• What problems do you help them solve?
• How do your values align with potential brand partners?

Niche blogs often perform better than general lifestyle blogs when it comes to collaborations. Brands love working with bloggers who have a clear purpose and audience.

Build a Professional Presence

Before approaching brands, make sure your blog and socials look the part:

• A clean, easy-to-navigate blog layout
• An ‘About Me’ page that shares your story and values
• Clear contact information
• Examples of previous content (reviews, partnerships, round-ups)
• Social media bios that explain who you are and what you write about

You don’t need to be perfect — just professional, consistent, and authentic.

Create a Media Kit

A media kit is like a CV for your blog. It should include:

• A short bio and blog overview
• Your blog and social media stats
• Your niche and audience demographics
• Examples of previous collaborations (if you have any)
• What you offer (e.g. blog posts, social shares, giveaways)
• Contact details

Use Canva to create a simple and polished PDF that you can send to brands or PRs.

Start by Reaching Out Yourself

Don’t wait to be discovered — take the initiative. When I started, I sent so many emails. These days most people come to me. Start by:

• Making a list of brands you already love and use
• Sending a short, polite pitch email introducing yourself and your blog
• Explaining why you’d love to work together and how you could support their brand

Keep it personal and relevant, life is easier when you are authentic. Mention specific products or campaigns, and share a few stats or blog links.

Example:

“Hi, I’m Sarah from [Your Blog], a UK parenting blog focused on travel, wellbeing, and everyday family life. I’ve been a fan of [Brand] for years — we always pack your snacks for our road trips! I’d love to collaborate on content around family travel essentials this summer…”

Join Blogger and PR Platforms

There are lots of platforms that connect bloggers with brands — many of which are open to newer bloggers. Try:

• Press Loft
• Get Blogged
• Intellifluence
• The Blogger Programme
• Influencer platforms like Heepsy or Tribe

Sign up, create a profile, and keep checking for suitable briefs.

Make the Most of Gifting Opportunities

Many brands are open to gifting products in exchange for a blog review or social post. These can be a great way to build your portfolio, as long as the products genuinely fit your content.

If you agree to a gifted collaboration:

• Be honest and transparent with your audience
• Take high-quality photos
• Deliver on what you promise — and on time

Once you’ve completed a gifted collab, ask if the brand would be open to future paid work. Relationships grow from reliability.

Showcase Every Collaboration

Every time you work with a brand, no matter how small, showcase it:

• Add it to your media kit
• Share the post on all your channels
• Tag the brand and thank them publicly (where appropriate)
• Include testimonials or screenshots of positive feedback

This helps build your credibility and shows other brands what you’re capable of.

Final Thoughts

Getting brand collaborations as a blogger isn’t about follower counts — it’s about connection, quality, and consistency. Start small, be genuine, and build strong relationships. Every collaboration, even the smallest one, is a stepping stone.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up, keep showing up and creating content you’re proud of — the right brands will notice.