135. How to land brand deals on Instagram without pitching

In today's episode, I’m sharing a conversation from my guest appearance on the Accidentally Influential podcast with Kate and Tea. We talk all about brand partnerships for educators, experts, and creators who want to monetize their platform without turning into a walking billboard. I break down how my business unexpectedly started, how brand deals first entered the picture, and why some of the best opportunities came not from pitching nonstop, but from genuinely using and talking about tools I already loved.

We also get into what makes brand partnership content actually work, how to make it feel natural instead of forced, and why creators need to stop thinking of themselves like script readers and start thinking like strategic partners. I share what I look for in a brand deal, why affiliate relationships can be a smart first step, and how to create win-win partnerships that support both the brand and your own business long term.

What you'll learn

1. How my “accidentally influential” moment turned into a real business
2. Why serving your audience first can shape your niche better than forcing one
3. How my first paid brand partnership came about
4. Why I only partner with brands that fit naturally into my existing content
5. A common mistake beginner creators make when trying to land brand deals
6. Why affiliate marketing can open the door to higher-paying partnerships
7. How to make brand partnerships more profitable through strategy, email growth, and recurring revenue
8. What I would immediately stop posting if my goal was attracting brand deals

Resources & Links:

1. Accidentally Influential Podcast
2. Not An Influencer Co. on Instagram
3. Join the Creator Club waitlist!
4. Scalability
5. Overflow Mastermind
6. Kajabi 30-day free trial + 2 bonuses
7. 150 Free Hooks
8. IG University
9. 30 Days of Manychat Pro FREE
10. Learn how to run successful paid ads

Some of the links mentioned are affiliate links, which help to support this podcast at no additional cost to you!

Connect with Mya:

1. Follow on Instagram @myanichol
2. Join my email list
3. Check out my website
4. Watch this episode on YouTube
5. Read this episode in blog format here

More about the Radical Disruption podcast:

Are you wanting to make waves in your industry, push the envelope, and change the way things are done in a radical way? Are you looking for tangible, tactical, and actionable steps that will help you build a sustainable business that stands out? You’re in the right place!

Radical Disruption is home to the disrupters. Here, you’ll learn how to take your business to the next level, break the status quo, and build a disruptive business.

Nursing student turned business and social media expert and host Mya Nichol (hey, that’s me!) shares the real and raw of the crazy journey of entrepreneurship and building a multi-six-figure business.

Through solo episodes and special guest interviews, you can expect honest conversations about throwing out the traditional way of business, scaling in a sustainable way, and becoming the go-to expert in your industry. It’s time to build a disruptive business. See you on Tuesdays!

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