Borrow a Voice! Sponsoring Creators
LYNNIE VERSION
Would you like to read this article in more grown-up words, still easy to understand? Jump here.
Hi! I’m Lynnie! Today I’m telling you about sponsoring creators. It’s way number eleven on Lynnaider’s list!
Sometimes the fastest way to earn trust is to have someone people ALREADY trust talk about you. Sponsoring means paying a creator, influencer or magazine to show your stuff to their followers.
Way 11: sponsoring (paid)
You pay a creator a set amount to show your offer to their followers. They become a voice for your brand!
You’re not paying for guaranteed visitors. You’re paying for a trusted person saying nice things about your stuff! Sometimes the real prize is just getting known. People often need to see a brand a few times before they buy.
Why small creators are great for beginners
Grown-ups call them micro-influencers. Fewer followers, but followers who REALLY pay attention! They cost less, like working with new businesses, and often bring better results.
Websites like Aspire and Upfluence let you search creators by niche, how many followers they have, and how active those followers are.
And remember: in most places, sponsored posts must be clearly labeled. That’s the law!
What content you need
The creator makes the content for you. That’s the whole point! What you give them is a short creative brief. That’s like a little instruction sheet:
- what your product or service is
- the message you want to share
- anything they shouldn’t say, like claims that aren’t true
- the label they must use, like “Ad” or “Paid partnership”
You send it with the product, so they can try it. They write the content, but you can say yes before it’s posted.
Beginner’s tip
Think of sponsorships as a long-term plan to get known, not a quick way to sell. Meeting your brand through someone they trust is often where a customer’s path begins!
An example
You sell handmade natural soaps. You find three small creators who share cozy-living and skincare posts, each with a few thousand active followers. You send each one a box of soaps and a short brief, and pay a set amount for one post and three stories.
One post brings a big wave of sales! The other two bring new followers and saves, and those people buy later. You keep working with the creator whose followers liked you most.
Oopsies
- Picking creators only by follower count.
- Writing a super strict brief, so the post sounds like an ad instead of the creator’s real voice.
- Forgetting to check that sponsored posts are clearly labeled.
Two sides of the same coin
Sponsoring is the other side of sponsorships & UGC, one of the ten ways to earn!
When to start
Most beginners start with free ways. Later, a small creator can be a great first paid test!
And sponsored creators speak for your brand, so you don’t have to show your face!
What’s next?
The next article explains which engagement rate brands use when picking creators. The whole lesson is in the book on our products page. Want a grown-up to help with sponsoring? Go to our services page.
What grown-ups usually ask (and I answer)
What does sponsoring a creator mean?
Paying a creator to show your stuff to their followers.
Are there step-by-step lessons for starting each of the ten ways cheaply?
Maybe! If lots of people want them. Join the waitlist and you’ll know first.
Does it guarantee sales?
No! You pay for a trusted voice, and getting known.
Why are small creators good for beginners?
They cost less, like working with new businesses, and often bring great results.
How do I find creators?
On Aspire or Upfluence, or look at who your customers follow.
Who makes the content?
The creator! You give a brief, and can say yes before it’s posted.
What goes in a brief?
Your product, your message, what not to say, and the “Ad” label.
Do sponsored posts need a label?
Yes! In most places it’s the law.
Is there a cheap way to start?
Yes! Lynnaider shows you how to start each of the ten ways for free, or for very, very little money. You’d be surprised! And a free robot helper called Lynnaider Compass helps you step by step!
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
