Whether you already have a successful blog or content creation career or not, learning how to become a TikTok influencer could be the catalyst for building a better personal brand and taking your online earnings to the next level.
The short-form video-hosting social media platform now boasts an audience of around one billion active monthly users while thousands of TikTok creators earn money through ads, sponsorships, tips, and merchandise sales through TikTok shops. But you probably already knew that – why else would you have opened this post?
So, how do you become a TikTok influencer to secure aura points and some coin? By building successful brand-influencer partnerships. Here’s all you need to know.
1. Understanding the Benefits of Brand-Influencer Partnerships
Before looking at how to be an influencer on TikTok, it is important to gain a better understanding of brand-influencer partnerships by viewing them from both perspectives.
The first question to ask is does influencer marketing work in 2025? The short answer is a resounding ‘yes’, which is why the industry is now valued at over $ 25 billion globally. And, yes, seeing that figure has rightly given you extra motivation to discover how to become an influencer on TikTok.
You also need to consider why brands want to work with influencers and what you bring to the table from their viewpoint. Here’s what a successful partnership can offer the companies you wish to work with;
- Time savings – outsourcing TikTok content creation to a professional saves the brand from brainstorming ideas, creating content, and publishing to the social media site.
- Audience reach – by working with influencers with an established fanbase, companies can instantly get their brand seen by those people courtesy of brand-influencer links.
- Increased visibility – influencer marketers live and breathe content, understanding the latest trends and how to achieve virality. It exposes brands to far larger audiences.
- Heightened engagement – at a time when consumers scroll past the majority of content they see, influencers have the ability to grab and maintain a user’s attention.
- Money savings – while TikTok creators can earn big money through brand associations, businesses see huge results with modest budgets compared to traditional campaigns.
An effective brand-influencer relationship provides businesses with a convenient, comprehensive, and cost-effective way to grow brand awareness and increase sales via the fastest-growing social media platform.
When thinking about how to be an influencer on TikTok who will impress brands, your endeavours should be framed by those common company goals.
2. How Brands Identify the Right Influencers for Collaboration
Brands may find TikTok influencers by using the platform’s ‘for you’ page. They may alternatively check out freelancer directories, contact influencer marketing agencies, or search Google to find creators. Wherever they look, though, their goal is to choose an influencer who aligns with their goals.
No two businesses are the same, but they are all likely to seek the following attributes;
- Affordability – all brands would love to be associated with MrBeast or Khaby Lame. However, partnering with an influencer who fits their budget will be the first goal.
- Relevance – a brand-influencer partnership is futile if the content reaches the wrong audience. Most brands using TikTok focus on Gen Z, but it’s not always the case.
- Authenticity – an authentic content creator will establish a deeper connection with their audience, thus building trust and influencing consumer decisions. Brands love this.
- Engagement – brands will certainly look at follower numbers. However, the ability to engage the audience and get them talking about brands is far more important.
- Quality – influencer-made content doesn’t need the production values of a Hollywood blockbuster, but poor quality can make the brand look unprofessional by association.
Brands additionally check that the influencer’s brand tone and core values are a match. An influencer that uses edgy comedy may not be the right fit for brands in formal settings.
3. Key Strategies for Small Influencers to Attract Top Brands
When considering how to become a TikTok influencer, many fall into the trap of thinking that they need millions of followers to secure paid brand partnerships. However, nano influencers and content creators with modest follower numbers can still attract top brands.
Brands know that niche influencers often have closer relationships with their followers, which can bode well for the brand when using them for collaborative content or giveaways too. So, how can you attract brands as a new or small influencer? Try these strategies;
- Consider creating an example short-form video related to the brand or its products. You can send this privately while also sending further details about what you offer.
- Reach out to the brand publicly by leaving a comment on their social media posts. Use this as an opportunity to praise them, show excitement, and invite a collaboration.
- Create a dedicated landing page on your website specifically for brand-influencer partnerships. It shows professionalism and a focus on this type of service.
- Ask another influencer (ideally one with a slightly different audience) who is associated with the brand for some advice on how to impress the brand.
- Reach out to someone on the brand’s marketing team through LinkedIn or direct email for some advice on what the brand is looking for. Then tailor interactions accordingly.
As a content creator or blogger looking to transition into the world of TikTok influencer marketing, being associated with top brands will give you an added authority that can lead to further opportunities. So, while working with lesser brands is still great, any chance to work with the best brands should be grabbed with both hands.
4. Top Platforms Where Brands and Influencers Connect
There’s no doubt that creating great content and a strong personal brand synonymous with “going viral” and engaging audiences will see brands approach you directly. However, the truth is that many brands don’t even know how to use TikTok properly. If they did, they’d probably create their own content rather than outsource it to experts like you. Right?
There are opportunities out there, but only you have the ability to go out and grab them. Here are some of the spaces where you can reach out to brands or even discover companies actively looking for aspiring TikTok influencers like you;
- TikTok private messages
- The Influencer Room
- Facebook / Instagram private messages
- Brandwatch
- Local networking events
- Social Cat
- Freelancer directories
- Collabstr
5. Navigating Collaborations: A Look at Successful Brand-Influencer Campaigns
Whether you partner with a brand directly or through agencies, an effective campaign is heavily reliant on collaboration and communication. Each partnership is unique and influencers must always look to create content that represents the client’s company in a positive and powerful way.
A bespoke approach is required but you can still take inspiration from other successful brand-influencer campaigns, including the three below:
Hyundai & Tiktok Creators
Hyundai’s ambitious creator marketing campaign to promote the electric IONIQ 6 on TikTok saw the car manufacturer team up with various creators including @oldgays, @monaswain, @jetbentlee, @tj_therrien, and @angryreactions. It highlighted the power of targeting users from multiple directions and through diverse content ideas.
The campaign delivered over 240 million impressions and boosted brand visibility by 3.5%.
Gymshark Athletes
Gymshark was one of the first brands to tap into the power of influencer marketing. It now has an army of Gymshark Athletes across TikTok and other social media platforms. They are usually fitness enthusiasts who will post clips wearing GymShark clothes with a discount code for their followers. GRWM (Get Ready With Me) clips are one example of effective content.
Brand ambassadors range from nano influencers to mega influencers.
Dove
Dove used a creative approach to brand-influencer partnerships, using a number of small influencers to promote the #PassTheCrown, #DetoxYourFeed, #ReusableIsBeautiful and Baby Dove #OneRealPressure campaigns. The goal was to tap into the authenticity and close-knit communities of smaller influencer accounts, and it certainly worked.
Over one billion impressions and a 20% increase in engagement confirm that success.
6. Essential Tips for Influencers: Maximising Your Appeal to Brands
Spoiler alert: you aren’t the only person learning how to be an influencer on TikTok. Influencers make up to $0.04 per 1,000 views through the Creator Fund alone while brand partnerships can be very lucrative too. However, the fact that you are competing against thousands of other creators means you have to make a big first impression. Otherwise, brands will keep scrolling.
Here’s what you can do to maximise your appeal and boost your hopes of landing a deal;
- Build a loyal following on your account through engaging content. It is clear proof that you know how to build brand visibility through TikTok content.
- Master key TikTok content creation skills, such as editing. Creating the ‘wow’ factor will leave brands begging to be associated with you.
- Focus on brands that are looking for an influencer at your current level (non, micro, medium, macro, or mega).
- Know your audience, target brands that work in the same niche, and highlight how your personal brand resonates with the chosen demographic.
- Research the client before reaching out and make a pitch that includes collaboration ideas specific to their brand, potentially building upon their previous campaigns.
- Provide some insight into a gap you’ve noticed in their marketing efforts and how you can utilise this to grow their brand awareness.
- Dress appropriately and show positive body language when meeting a brand either in person or via video call.
- Build a professional brand for yourself with a website, blog, and profile pages on LinkedIn and other networking platforms.
- Highlight how your mission aligns with theirs and, where applicable, show that you are already a fan of their products and/or services.
- Use social proof to your advantage with testimonials from previous clients, as well as statistical data to show the success of past collaborations.
7. How to Build Long-Term Relationships with Brands
Knowing how to be an influencer on TikTok who works with brands isn’t about working with thousands of businesses. It is far better to work with a small number of brands on a long-term basis. It enables you to keep your personal brand authentic and focused on your audience. When working with too many brands, trying to please each brand could alienate your brand while also leaving you mentally exhausted.
So, what steps can be taken to cultivate long-term relationships with the brands you work for? Try these;
- Be open to feedback and actively listen to what brands have to say. While you need creative freedom, collaborative endeavours yield better results for all.
- Ensure that all content focuses on the three Rs of relevance, reach, and resonance to deliver greater value to the client’s company.
- Look for opportunities to be creative, introducing ideas like user-generated content in which followers are invited to engage directly with the campaign.
- Be organized, particularly with scheduling If an audience expects to see you post content on a Wednesday, for example, you must do so for the sake of professionalism.
- Go the extra mile, even if it’s something as simple as advocating the brand naturally in other activities. This highlights an authentic relationship to the audience.
- Avoid working with a brand’s direct competitors unless you are given permission to do this beforehand. Otherwise, they could potentially sever all ties.
- Have a content strategy in place that shows brands that you have ideas for how a campaign will develop to achieve sustained user engagement.
Above all else, you must stay authentic and continue to represent the brand well. Do this while delivering content that helps their brand grow and businesses will have no reason to end the agreement.
8. Get Started: Connect with Brands Eager for Collaboration Today
Ultimately, if you want to know how to become a TikTok influencer, the key is to take action. Create engaging content, use your existing audience to show that you have an understanding of user behaviours, and reach out to brands for collaboration opportunities.
