Social Pup Studio

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to work with brands, but I have no idea where to start”… same.

When I first started posting my dog Todd, I assumed you needed thousands of followers before any brand would even notice you. Like… why would they pick me?

But here’s the truth: you do not need a big following to land your first brand deal.

You just need the right strategy.

In this guide, I’m breaking down exactly how to get your first brand deal as a dog content creator, even if you’re just starting out.

What Counts as a Brand Deal?

Before we dive in, let’s talk about what a “brand deal” actually means.

Your first collaboration might look like:

• Gifted products (free items in exchange for content)
• Affiliate partnerships (you earn commission through links or codes)
• UGC (user-generated content brands can reuse)
• Paid posts (this usually comes later)

If you’re a beginner, your first deal will most likely be gifted — and that’s completely normal.

Step 1: Set Up Your Profile to Attract Brands

Before reaching out, make sure your profile is ready.

You don’t need to be perfect, but you should have:

• A clear niche (dog content, lifestyle with your dog, etc.)
• A bio that shows what you do (dog content creator, UGC, etc.)
• A few solid posts that represent your content
• Your dog’s personality shining through 🐶

You don’t need a huge audience. You need a clear brand.

If you’re still figuring out what to post or how to structure your page, I break it all down step-by-step in my Beginner’s Guide to Dog Content Creation.

Step 2: Start Posting Content Brands Would Actually Use

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is waiting to get a brand deal before creating “brand-style” content.

Don’t wait.

Start posting content like:

• “Day in the life with my dog”
• “Making my dog’s breakfast”
• Product-style videos (even if they’re not sponsored)
• Training, routines, enrichment, or lifestyle content

Think about it like this:
If a brand landed on your page today, would they see content they could use?

Because that’s exactly what they’re looking for.

If you want help planning your content and staying consistent, my Dog Content Creator Workbook walks you through content ideas, scheduling, and growth strategies step-by-step.

Step 3: Start Reaching Out (Don’t Wait to Be Noticed)

This is where everything changes.

A lot of creators wait for brands to reach out… but the fastest way to land your first deal is to go to them.

Start by:

• Messaging small pet brands on Instagram
• Checking their website for a contact email
• Keeping your message short, friendly, and direct

I personally landed some of my first opportunities by reaching out first — not by waiting.

Step 4: What to Say When You Pitch

I know this part feels intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Here’s a simple example:

Hi! I’m a dog content creator and would love to collaborate with your brand. I create engaging, natural content featuring my dog and would be excited to showcase your products!

Keep it short and genuine. 

If you find yourself overthinking what to say (which is so normal), having a go-to structure makes outreach way easier. I created email pitch templates specifically for dog content creators that you can customize and reuse for different brands.

If you want a shortcut (and honestly, this will save you SO much time), I created a free guide specifically for dog content creators that includes:

• 5 brands that work with dog influencers
• How to get in with them

Download it here.

Step 5: Start with Gifted Deals (and That’s OK)

Let’s normalize this real quick.

Your first few collaborations will likely be gifted — and that’s not a bad thing.

Gifted deals:

• Help you build a portfolio
• Give you content to show future brands
• Open the door to paid opportunities later

My first deals weren’t paid either… but they led to better ones.

Once you start getting collaborations, the next step is turning that into actual income. I break that down in my full guide on how to monetize as a dog content creator.

Step 6: Stay Consistent (This Is What Actually Works)

This is the part nobody wants to hear, but it’s the part that works.

To land your first brand deal, you need to:

• Keep posting consistently
• Keep improving your content
• Keep reaching out

Most people quit too early — the creators who land deals are the ones who keep going.

If you struggle with consistency (which is literally everyone), having a system makes all the difference. That’s exactly what my Dog Content Creator Workbook is designed to help with.

Final Thoughts

Getting your first brand deal as a dog content creator isn’t about luck.

It’s about:

• Creating content brands can use
• Putting yourself out there
• Staying consistent

You don’t need to wait until you’re “big enough.”

You can start right now.

Start Here (If You’re Serious About Growing)

If you’re ready to actually start growing and landing brand deals, here’s where I recommend starting:

• Beginner’s Guide to Dog Content Creation
• How to Monetize as a Dog Content Creator
• Dog Content Creator Workbook

And if you want help pitching brands and getting your first “yes,” grab my free guide here!