Many YouTubers think that sponsorships are only for big channels with millions of subscribers. But the truth is, brands love working with small, engaged audiences too! Even with just 1,000 subscribers, you can land sponsorship deals and make money from your channel.
In this guide, we’ll break down step-by-step how to get YouTube sponsorships, even if your channel is small. Plus, we’ll look at real-life examples of creators earning money from sponsorships with a small audience.
1. Pick a Profitable Niche
Brands prefer channels that target a specific audience rather than random viral content. If your channel is in a high-value niche, companies will see your audience as more valuable—even if it’s small.
Best Niches for Sponsorships
✅ Tech & Gadgets – Brands love reviews of phones, laptops, and accessories.
✅ Finance & Investing – Companies pay well for exposure in this niche.
✅ Health & Fitness – Gyms, supplement brands, and workout gear brands love influencers.
✅ Personal Development – Online course platforms and coaching programs seek partnerships.
✅ Gaming – Game developers and hardware brands collaborate with micro-influencers.
Example:
Ravi, a personal finance YouTuber with just 1,200 subscribers, started making videos about saving money and budgeting apps. One day, he received an email from a budgeting app brand offering him ₹10,000 for a sponsored video. Even though his channel was small, the brand liked that his audience was highly engaged and interested in finance topics.
🚀 Lesson: A small, niche audience is more valuable than random viral views!
2. Create Sponsor-Friendly Content
Brands want content that aligns with their products. So, create videos that naturally attract sponsors.
Types of Videos That Get Sponsorships
🎯 Product Reviews & Unboxings – Companies love when you showcase their products.
🎯 How-To & Tutorial Videos – Helpful guides that relate to a brand’s product.
🎯 Top 5 or Top 10 Lists – Feature sponsored products in comparison videos.
🎯 Day in the Life Vlogs – Highlight sponsored items in your daily routine.
Example:
Priya, a gaming YouTuber with just 900 subscribers, made a video titled “Top 5 Budget Gaming Mice”. She didn’t expect much, but after a month, a small gaming brand reached out and offered her ₹5,000 to feature their gaming mouse in her next video. Since she was already making tech-related content, it was a perfect fit!
🚀 Lesson: Make videos that naturally include products—brands will notice!
3. Build a Strong Relationship with Your Audience
Even if your subscriber count is low, brands care about engagement—likes, comments, and shares.
How to Boost Engagement for Sponsorships
✅ Reply to every comment to build a loyal audience.
✅ Ask questions in your videos to increase interaction.
✅ Use community posts & polls to engage subscribers.
✅ Go live and talk with viewers to strengthen the bond.
Example:
Rahul, a fitness YouTuber with 1,100 subscribers, made it a habit to reply to every comment and engage with his audience on Instagram. One day, a protein supplement brand noticed his engagement rate and reached out, offering him ₹15,000 for a sponsored video. The brand was more interested in his loyal audience than his subscriber count!
🚀 Lesson: Engagement matters more than views—brands want an active audience!
4. Reach Out to Brands (Even If They Don’t Contact You)
If brands don’t approach you, you should approach them! Many companies are happy to collaborate, even with small creators.
How to Contact Brands for Sponsorships
📩 Find small businesses related to your niche.
📩 Send a professional email introducing your channel and audience.
📩 Explain how their product fits your content (mention audience size and engagement).
📩 Offer a collaboration idea (e.g., a product review, tutorial, or giveaway).
Example:
Amit, a tech YouTuber with 1,000 subscribers, wanted to make a review video about affordable phone accessories. Instead of waiting, he emailed a small phone case brand, explaining how his audience was interested in budget tech products. The brand loved the idea and paid him ₹8,000 for a dedicated review video.
🚀 Lesson: Don’t wait—email brands directly! Even small companies want exposure.
5. Use Sponsorship Platforms for Small Creators
Many websites connect small YouTubers with brands looking for sponsorships.
Best Sponsorship Platforms for Small YouTubers
✅ Famebit (by YouTube) – Helps YouTubers find brand deals.
✅ Grapevine – Matches micro-influencers with brands.
✅ Upfluence – Connects small creators with businesses.
✅ Intellifluence – Lets YouTubers apply for sponsorships.
✅ BrandConnect – Works with Google to find partnerships.
Example:
Ananya, a fashion YouTuber with 800 subscribers, signed up on Intellifluence and applied for a collaboration with a clothing brand. Within two weeks, she got a ₹12,000 sponsorship to showcase their new product line in her next video.
🚀 Lesson: Join these platforms to find sponsorships easily!
6. Offer Different Sponsorship Packages
Brands have different budgets. Instead of just one offer, give them multiple options to work with you.
Sponsorship Package Ideas
💰 Basic Package (₹5,000–₹10,000) – Mention the brand in one video.
💰 Standard Package (₹15,000–₹25,000) – Dedicated review video + social media post.
💰 Premium Package (₹30,000+) – Series of videos + giveaway + exclusive promotions.
Example:
Siddharth, a food vlogger with 1,200 subscribers, contacted a local restaurant and offered three sponsorship levels. The restaurant picked the ₹20,000 package, which included a dedicated video and Instagram promotion.
🚀 Lesson: Give brands options—they’ll choose the one that fits their budget.
7. Show Your Value with a Media Kit
A media kit is like a resume for your YouTube channel. It helps brands quickly see why they should work with you.
What to Include in a Media Kit?
📌 Your YouTube stats (subscribers, views, engagement).
📌 Your niche & audience demographics (who watches your videos?).
📌 Previous brand collaborations (if any).
📌 Sponsorship packages & pricing.
Example:
Neha, a personal development YouTuber with 1,050 subscribers, designed a simple media kit with her channel stats and sponsorship offers. She emailed it to a self-help book company, and within a week, she secured a ₹12,000 sponsorship for a video.
🚀 Lesson: A good media kit makes you look professional and helps secure deals.
Final Verdict: Can Small YouTubers Really Get Sponsorships?
Yes! Even with just 1,000 subscribers, you can get sponsorship deals and make money from your channel. Big brands aren’t just looking for huge numbers—they want engaged audiences in the right niche.
🔥 Your Turn! Will you try these strategies to get your first sponsorship? Let me know in the comments! 🚀🔥
