This past February, we launched a unique Valentine’s campaign that invited content creators to express their passion not just for any brand, but for the brand they truly adored. The concept was simple yet bold: ask creators to write a heartfelt love letter to the brand they’ve always dreamt of collaborating with.

We focused our outreach on Instagram, targeting smaller creators who may not yet have had the chance to work with major brands but were eager to make their mark. We believe that sometimes, all it takes is a single, well-timed gesture to open doors to new opportunities. By the end of the campaign, we had received seven love letters, each one meant to tell these brands what these creators loved about their products and indicate their interest in working with them

Fast forward to June, and we saw the magic of this campaign come to life. Adebimbe, one of the creators who participated, wrote her love letter to Topicals, a brand she had admired for a long time.

What started as a heartfelt expression of admiration turned into something much more significant.

Thanks to the campaign, Adebimbe caught the attention of Topicals. They noticed her passion and creativity, and as a result, she secured a brand deal with them.

What began as a long shot ended with her partnering with Topicals to create content—a dream come true for any creator.

We couldn’t be prouder of Bimbe’s journey, and we’re thrilled to have played a part in it. Her success story is a testament to the power of putting yourself out there and taking a chance on your dreams.

Here are some lessons you can learn from Bimbe’s story

Bimbe’s story isn’t just about her success—it’s a blueprint for other creators looking to make their mark. Here are some key lessons we can all learn from her experience:

1. Cold Outreach Works: It might feel intimidating to reach out to a brand and pitch yourself, especially if you don’t have a huge following. But Bimbe’s story shows that cold outreach can be incredibly effective. A simple, well-crafted email or message can catch the attention of a brand and lead to opportunities you never imagined. Don’t underestimate the power of taking the initiative.

   
   

2. Follower Count Isn’t Everything: One of the most inspiring aspects of Bimbe’s story is that she achieved this success with fewer than 5,000 followers. In a world where follower count often seems like the most important metric, Bimbe proved that engagement and authenticity are what truly matter. She landed a partnership with Topicals, a brand with over 198k followers on Instagram, by showcasing her genuine love for their products and her ability to create compelling content. Remember, the only real limitation is the one you place on yourself.

   
   

3. Pick a Niche and Own It: Brands want to work with creators whose content aligns with their values and target audience. If your content is too broad or doesn’t resonate with a specific niche, it can be challenging to attract the right opportunities. Bimbe has always focused on beauty and fashion, and because of this, she has built an audience that cares about those topics. This made her a natural fit for a brand like Topicals. The lesson here is to clearly define your niche and create high-quality content that appeals to that audience. When you do, the right brands will take notice.

   
   

4. Be Authentic and Passionate: Bimbe’s love letter wasn’t just a formality—it was a genuine expression of her admiration for Topicals. Authenticity is key in the world of content creation. Brands can tell when you’re passionate about their products, and that passion is contagious. It’s not just about selling a product; it’s about sharing something you believe in with your audience.

   
   

5. Leverage Opportunities: Bimbe took a simple campaign and turned it into a career milestone. This teaches us the importance of seizing every opportunity, no matter how small it may seem. You never know where a single initiative can lead, so approach every opportunity with enthusiasm and a mindset geared toward success.

   
   

6. Consistency and Persistence Pay Off: While Bimbe’s success might seem like it happened overnight, it was actually the result of consistent effort and persistence. She had been creating content in her niche for a while, which built her credibility and positioned her as a valuable partner for brands. If you’re serious about working with brands, keep honing your craft, stay consistent, and don’t give up—even if you don’t see immediate results.

Bimbe’s story is just one example of how taking a chance can lead to incredible opportunities. Whether you’re a content creator looking to partner with your dream brand or someone working towards a different goal, the principles of authenticity, persistence, and proactive outreach apply universally. So take that shot, write that letter, and keep pushing forward—your success story could be just around the corner.