Brand Deals for Small Artists: Pitching with <5k Followers

Most “how-to” guides for creators make it sound like you need 100k followers and a professional studio before a brand will even look your way.

But here’s the reality: Brands are actually pivoting away from the “megas.” Big companies are tired of paying thousands of dollars for a post that gets ignored by a generic audience. They want you—the artist with 2,000 followers who actually replies to every DM and whose audience actually buys the sketchbook you recommend.

If you have under 5k followers, you aren’t “too small.” You’re “specialized.” Here’s how to actually land those deals without feeling like a corporate sell-out.

Stop Thinking “Followers,” Start Thinking “Influence”

When you have a small following, your value isn’t in your reach; it’s in your trust.

  • The “BFF” Effect: Your followers likely feel like they know you. When you say a specific liner pen doesn’t bleed, they believe you. That is worth more to a brand than a celebrity mention.

  • Content Quality: If you can take a high-res photo or edit a snappy Reel, you’re a content creator first and an influencer second. Brands need content for their own pages, and you’re often cheaper (and better) than a professional ad agency.

1. Clean Up Your Digital “Front Porch”

Before you pitch, do a quick audit. If a marketing manager clicks your profile, do they see a professional artist or a random collection of cat memes?

  • Bio Check: Your bio should say exactly what you do (e.g., “Digital Illustrator | Teaching you how to master Procreate”).

  • The “Links” Factor: Use a Linktree or a simple website. Make it incredibly easy for a brand to see your portfolio.

  • Show Your Tools: Start tagging the brands you already use. It builds a “paper trail” showing that you genuinely like their stuff before you ever ask for money.

2. Ditch the 20-Page Media Kit

You don’t need a massive PDF. A simple, one-page graphic (Canva is your friend here) is all you need. Don’t hide your follower count, but highlight your engagement. If 500 people out of your 2,000 followers liked your last post, that’s a 25% engagement rate. That is insane in the marketing world. Shout it from the rooftops.

3. How to Pitch (Without Sounding Like a Robot)

Please, for the love of art, do not send a generic “I want to collab” DM. It goes straight to the hidden requests folder.

Find an email address. Look at their website or the “Contact” button on Instagram. When you write, be a human. Mention a specific product you’ve used for years.

The “Human” Formula:

  1. The Hook: “I’ve been using your [Product] since art school…”

  2. The Proof: “My audience is constantly asking about my [technique], and I’d love to show them how [Product] makes it easier.”

  3. The Offer: “I’m planning a video on [Topic] next month and would love to feature you.”

4. Know Your Worth (And When to Say No)

When you’re starting out, you’ll get a lot of “free product for a post” offers.

  • If it’s a $500 tablet: That might be worth it!

  • If it’s a $10 pack of pencils: Ask for a flat fee.

Your time, your editing skills, and your “link in bio” space are valuable. If they don’t have a budget, ask for a long-term affiliate code or the rights to be featured on their main page to grow your own following.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to “blow up” to start making an income from your art. You just need to show brands that you have a tiny, loyal corner of the internet that listens to what you have to say.