Getting brand deals in India does not require a huge following. It requires three things: a clear pitch that shows what you can do for a brand, a professional way to price and contract your work, and consistency. This guide walks a new creator from zero to a signed, paid deal.
Step 1: Build a one-page media kit
A media kit is a single page (PDF or link) a brand can scan in 30 seconds. Include who you are and your niche, your platforms and audience size, your engagement rate, audience demographics (age, gender, top cities), 2–3 of your best pieces of content, any past brand work, and your contact. Keep it honest — inflated numbers end relationships fast.
Step 2: Set your rate card
Brands expect a number. Decide rates for each deliverable so you never freeze mid-negotiation. Use real Indian market bands as a starting point and adjust for your niche and engagement.
Starter rate card (Instagram, INR)
| Followers | Story | Reel | UGC video (brand-owned) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1K–10K | ₹500–₹2,000 | ₹1,500–₹8,000 | ₹2,000–₹8,000 |
| 10K–50K | ₹2,000–₹6,000 | ₹8,000–₹25,000 | ₹4,000–₹12,000 |
| 50K–100K | ₹6,000–₹12,000 | ₹25,000–₹40,000 | ₹8,000–₹15,000 |
For a fuller breakdown and YouTube rates, see our guide on average influencer rates in India.
Step 3: Find the right brands
- Make a list of 30 brands whose products fit your niche and that you would genuinely use.
- Prioritise D2C brands already running creator content — they have budget and a process.
- List yourself on a creator marketplace so brands can discover you by niche, city, and engagement.
- Watch which brands sponsor creators slightly bigger than you — they often scale to micro creators next.
Step 4: Pitch (with a template that works)
Keep the email short, specific, and about the brand — not about you. Personalise the first line, show you understand their product, propose one concrete idea, and attach your media kit.
Subject: 3 reel ideas for [Brand] x [Your name] Hi [Name], I'm [Your name], a [niche] creator in [city] with [X]K engaged followers. I love [specific product] because [reason]. Here are 3 reel concepts I'd shoot for your [launch/range]: [idea 1], [idea 2], [idea 3]. Media kit attached with rates. Open to a quick call this week?
Send 5–10 personalised pitches a week. Follow up once after 4–5 days. Volume plus relevance is what converts.
Step 5: Always work contract-first
The number-one cause of creator payment problems in India is informal deals: a DM, a vague scope, and 'we'll pay after posting.' Protect yourself by insisting on a written deal that defines deliverables, timeline, usage rights, and payment terms before you shoot anything.
Red flags to refuse
No contract, payment only 'after the brand sees results', unlimited usage rights for a one-post fee, or exposure instead of money. A professional brand will agree to a contract and funded escrow.
Step 6: Get paid on time with escrow
Escrow flips the trust problem. Instead of chasing an invoice for 60 days, the brand funds the agreed amount into escrow before you start, and the money releases automatically as each milestone is approved. You can see the funds are committed before you spend time creating.
Join free and get discovered
On upstageX, creators join free, get found by brands through discovery, sign contract-first deals, and receive milestone payments from funded escrow.
Step 7: Turn one deal into a repeat client
- Deliver early and over-communicate on timelines.
- Share simple performance numbers after the post (views, saves, link clicks).
- Offer a small bundle for the next campaign to encourage retainers.
- Keep every contract and result on your profile so your track record compounds.