Let’s Get Your Pet Paid With Brand Deals!
You’re thinking about getting your dog, cat, or maybe even your parrot some brand deals?
That’s awesome! I’m Ashley, the pet content creator coach behind Petfluencer Secrets, and I’ve been helping everyday people like you turn their pets into money-making stars for years!
I’ve landed over 100 deals myself with brands such as Amazon and PetSmart, and I’m here to share the exact steps to make it happen for you. This post is all about how to score brand deals for your pet, laid out in a way that’s easy to follow.
I’ll sprinkle in some tips from my coaching programs, Petfluencer Foundations (great for newbies or anyone not yet hitting $500 a month) and 6-Figure Petfluencer (for those aiming for $10k+ months).
Want more? My YouTube (@PetfluencerSecrets) has free video tips, and my blog here at petfluencersecrets.com is packed with free advice. I’m excited for you, let’s do this!!
Why Brands Are All About Pets (And How You Can Jump In)
Alright, let’s talk about why brands are wanting to work with pet creators!
People lose it over cute animals, way more than they do for regular ads. It’s a proven fact.
You know how you can’t help but watch a video of a dog in a hoodie or a cat napping in a tiny bed? Brands get that, and they want your pet to show off their products, like treats, toys, or even fancy collars. The best part? You don’t need a huge following to get started.
I’ve seen accounts with just a couple thousand followers land big paid deals because their fans are super engaged. It’s all about having a pet with personality and an audience that trusts you.
So, what makes your pet a good fit for brands? First, it’s about authenticity. Brands want REAL content, not some polished ad that feels fake. If your dog’s got a goofy bark or your cat loves to shred boxes, that’s the kind of vibe companies love because it’s relatable!
For example, I worked with a brand once because my cat’s “fun facts” matched their informational and educational vibe.
(You can learn how to find your pet’s “brandable” traits in my Petfluencer Foundations course, which is perfect if you’re just starting out or making less than $500 a month. It’s got all the basics, like picking a niche and posting consistently!)
Another thing brands care about is engagement. They don’t just look at follower count; they check how much your audience interacts with your posts.
Are people commenting, sharing, or saving your Reels? That’s gold. One trick is to post content that gets people talking, like asking, “Does your dog love this toy too?”
I share a ton of these engagement hacks on my Instagram if you want to peek at some examples!
Also, brands love when you know their product. Do a little research! Check their website, see what they’re about. If they sell eco-friendly pet beds, show your pet snoozing on something cozy. It proves you get their vibe.
Oh, and here’s a big one: you don’t have to wait for brands to find you.
You can reach out first! Start small, like local pet stores or smaller brands on Instagram. I’ve had clients land their first deal just by sliding into a local brand’s DMs with a quick pitch about their pet. If you’re nervous about pitching, don’t worry—my 6-Figure Petfluencer program teaches you exactly how to do that!
Create a Media Kit That Makes Brands Say “Yes!
”So, you’ve got your pet’s Instagram looking cute, and you’re ready to pitch to brands—now what?
You need a media kit, and no, it’s not as scary as it sounds! Think of it like a resume for your pet, showing brands why they should pay you to promote their stuff.
I’ve put together media kits that landed me deals, like that $250-a-month pet food gig when I was a newer creator, and I’m gonna walk you through exactly how to make one that grabs attention.
First things first: a media kit is just a short document (usually a PDF) that sums up who you are, what your pet’s about, and why your audience is awesome. Keep it simple, maybe one or two pages.
Start with a quick intro about you and your pet. Add a cute photo of your pet to make it personal. Brands want to see what makes YOU different than all those other pet influencers out there!
Next, include your stats. This is where you show off your audience. List your follower count, but more importantly, highlight your engagement rate—how much your followers like, comment, or share your posts.
You can figure this out by checking your Instagram Insights (it’s usually a percentage, like 5-10% is solid for smaller accounts). Don’t stress if your numbers aren’t huge; brands love micro-influencers with loyal fans.
Also, mention your audience’s vibe—are they mostly dog moms, city pet owners, or budget-conscious shoppers? That helps brands see if you match their customers.
Then, throw in a few examples of your content. Pick three or four of your BEST posts—like a Reel of your cat playing with a toy or a photo of your dog rocking a bandana. This shows brands you know how to make their products look good.
If you’ve worked with brands before, mention them here, even if it was just a free product exchange.
No brand deals yet? No problem! Just highlight your best content!
Oh, and make it pretty! Use free tools like Canva to design your media kit with some color and clean fonts.
You don’t need to be a pro designer; just keep it clear and professional. One of my clients got her first deal just by sending a Canva-made media kit to a local pet store—she’s now in my Petfluencer Foundations course and is earning from paid brand deals!
If you’re stuck, I share a multiple free media kit templates in Petfluencer Foundations so if you’re a member, be sure to check those out!
Last tip: save your media kit as a PDF and keep it handy. When you email or DM a brand, attach it or link to it. It makes you look serious and ready to work.
Trust me, a good media kit can be the difference between a brand saying “maybe” and “let’s do this!”
Pitching Brands to Get Brand Deals for Your Pet
Okay, so your pet’s social media is looking great, and you’ve got a killer media kit ready. Now it’s time to figure out how to get brand deals for your pet!
I know pitching can feel a bit intimidating at first, but I promise it’s not as hard as it seems.
I’ve sent pitches that landed me deals, both gifted and paid, and I’ve helped tons of my clients nail how to get brand deals for their pets too.
Here’s the step-by-step on reaching out to brands so they’ll want to work with you!
Start by picking the right brands to pitch. Look for companies that match your pet’s vibe—say, if your dog loves hiking, go for outdoor gear like leashes or water bowls. If your cat’s super fancy, try brands with luxury pet beds.
Check their Instagram or website for signs they work with influencers, like posts with #sponsored or #ad.
Smaller brands or local pet stores are great starting points because they’re often easier to connect with when you’re learning how to get brand deals for your pet. Make a list of 5-10 brands you love to keep it manageable.
When it comes to the actual pitch, keep it short and sweet. Email is usually the way to go, but a DM can work for smaller brands. I just don’t personally do that anymore!
Open with a quick intro, like, “Hey friend! I’m Jamie, and my dog Milo is obsessed with your treats!”
Then, explain why you’re reaching out: “I’d love to team up to show my followers how Milo enjoys your products, and I think it’d be a great fit for how to get brand deals for my pet.”
Suggest something specific, like creating a Reel of your pet playing with their toy or a post about their food. It could be an unboxing video, doing a 3-frame series on your Instagram Stories or just a photo post.
Attach that media kit we talked about. This is a big part of how to get brand deals for your pet—showing brands you’ve got a plan.
One thing I always tell my clients: don’t lead with asking for cash, especially if you’re new!!
Try offering a product exchange first to build trust. That’s how I started, and it opened doors to paid deals later. Also, don’t sweat it if you don’t hear back right away. Send a polite follow-up after a week, like, “Just checking in on if this is a possibility!”
I had a client land her first deal after a follow-up, and now she’s diving into bigger strategies in my 6-Figure Petfluencer course, which is perfect if you’re aiming for those $10k+ months as a pet content creator!
Negotiating Like a Boss to Get Brand Deals for Your Pet
You’ve pitched a brand, and they’re interested—woohoo! Now comes the fun part: negotiating to seal the deal.
Figuring out how to get brand deals for your pet isn’t just about sending emails; it’s about making sure you’re paid what you’re worth.
I’ve negotiated dozens of brand collaborations, and I’ve coached over a hundred clients to do the same.
Don’t worry if negotiating feels awkward at first—I’m sharing simple tips to help you talk terms like a pro and land awesome brand deals for your pet.
First, know your value. Your pet’s audience, engagement, and content quality are what brands are paying for. Check your Instagram Insights to see your engagement rate (likes, comments, shares divided by followers—5-10% is great for smaller accounts).
If a brand offers you free products, that’s cool (sometimes!), but don’t be afraid to ask for cash too, especially if you’re putting in real work. A good starting point for how to get brand deals for your pet is $50-$100 per post for micro-influencers (under 10k followers), but it depends on your niche and effort.
(Make sure to follow me on TikTok so you can see REAL numbers of how much creators get paid!)
If you’re creating a Reel or blog post, charge more.
When a brand responds, thank them and ask about their budget. Try something like, “I’m excited to work together! What’s your budget for this campaign?”
This puts the ball in their court without you lowballing yourself. If they offer too little, counter politely: “I usually charge $100 for a Reel, but I can work with $75 for a single post.”
Be clear about what you’ll deliver—say, one Instagram post and a Story—and set a timeline, like two weeks. My 6-Figure Petfluencer course dives deeper into pricing strategies if you’re aiming for big bucks, like $10k+ months.
Don’t forget to get everything in writing!!
A simple email or contract with the payment, deliverables, and due dates keeps things clear. And if a brand pushes for too much (like five posts for $50), it’s okay to say no—your time’s valuable.
Check out my YouTube for a video on dodging bad deals. Negotiating is a huge part of how to get brand deals for your pet, so practice, stay confident, and you’ll be cashing checks in no time!
Nailing Your Brand Deals to Keep Them Coming
You’ve pitched, negotiated, and landed a brand deal for your pet—high five! Now, the next step is figuring out how to get brand deals for your pet AFTER the collaboration is completed!
I’ve worked on dozens of brand collaboration deals and learned that how you handle the job can make brands want to work with you again or even refer you to others.
Here’s how to nail your brand deals for your pet and turn one-off gigs into long-term partnerships!
First, stick to what you promised.
If you agreed to one Instagram post and a Story, don’t skimp—deliver exactly that, on time. Check the contract or email to confirm details, like posting by a certain date or using specific hashtags.
For example, if the brand wants #PetLovesBrandName, don’t forget it! Take time to make the content awesome!
Quality matters, and it shows that you’re serious about making the best quality of content possible!
Next, communicate like a champ. Update the brand when you post, like sending a quick email: “Hey, just posted the Reel—here’s the link!”
If they ask for tweaks, like adding a caption, do it with a smile. DON’T EVER ACT OFFENDED!
Being easy to work with makes you their go-to creator. I had a client who got repeat deals just because she was super responsive—she started with my Petfluencer Foundations course, which is great for beginners figuring out how to manage these partnerships.
Finally, track your results.
Use Instagram Insights to see how the post performed—likes, shares, comments—and share a quick report with the brand. It shows you care about their goals.
Mastering how to get brand deals for your pet means delivering great work every time, so keep it up, and you’ll have brands lining up to work with your little one soon!
Your Roadmap to Scoring Brand Deals for Your Pet
You’re now armed with everything you need to master getting brand deals for your pet and turn your furry buddy into a money-making star.
This post walked you through the steps to make brands fall in love with your pet, from understanding why they’re obsessed with cute animals to pitching and delivering like a pro.
Whether you’re just starting or aiming for big bucks, my Petfluencer Foundations course (perfect for beginners or anyone under $500/month) and 6-Figure Petfluencer course (for hitting $10k+ months) can help you level up.
Here’s the key takeaways to remember:
- Brands Love Pets: Companies want your pet’s charm to sell their products, even if you’ve got a small, engaged audience.
- Media Kit Magic: Create a simple, professional media kit with your pet’s stats and best posts to wow brands.
- Pitch with Confidence: Reach out to brands that fit your pet’s vibe with short, personal emails or DMs, including your media kit.
- Negotiate Smart: Know your worth, ask about budgets, and get terms in writing to secure fair brand deals for your pet.
- Deliver Like a Pro: Stick to promises, communicate clearly, and share post results to keep brands coming back.
Ready to get started? Check out more free tips on my YouTube (@PetfluencerSecrets) and join my Petfluencer Foundations course to kickstart your journey to how to get brand deals for your pet!
