Landing your first brand deal as a Substack writer can be an exciting milestone, but it often feels daunting. You’ve found your niche, built a newsletter, and now you’re ready to monetize your work.

However, getting that first brand partnership can be challenging, especially if you’re just starting.

This article will guide you through actionable steps to secure your first brand deal, including some lesser-known strategies that can give you an edge.

1. Build an Audience Beyond Substack

While Substack is a fantastic platform for cultivating a loyal audience, expanding your reach beyond it can significantly increase your chances of landing a brand deal. Platforms like LinkedIn are excellent for writers since they promote written content and offer networking opportunities.

Actionable Tip: Engage With Brands on LinkedIn
Start by building a strong presence on LinkedIn. Share your Substack articles there, engage with your audience, and connect with brands relevant to your niche. Comment on their posts, share their content, and gradually build a relationship. When brands see that you are actively engaging with their content, they are more likely to notice you and consider you for future collaborations.

When you connect with brand representatives or decision-makers, don’t immediately pitch them. Focus on adding value to their content and building a rapport. Over time, this can open doors to potential partnerships.

2. Write About the Brands You Want to Work With for Free

One of the most effective yet underutilized strategies is to write about the brands you admire and want to collaborate with, even if it means doing it for free initially.

Actionable Tip: Create High-Quality Content and Tag the Brand
Choose a brand that aligns with your niche and values. Write an in-depth, well-researched piece that showcases their products or services. Ensure the content is engaging and informative. After publishing, tag the brand in your social media posts. If your article gains traction, it could catch the brand’s attention and lead to a paid partnership.

Focus on storytelling. Brands love content that tells a story, so consider how you can add their product or service into a narrative that resonates with your audience. This approach not only showcases your writing skills but also your ability to create content that connects with readers on a deeper level.

3. Optimize Your Substack for SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) isn’t just for blogs; it’s essential for your Substack as well. A well-optimized newsletter can make it easier for brands to find you when they search for content creators in your niche.

Actionable Tip: Use Targeted Keywords and Optimize Your Headlines
Research keywords related to your niche and incorporate them into your Substack articles. Use these keywords in your headlines, subheadings, and throughout your content. Additionally, ensure your Substack’s bio and about sections are optimized with relevant keywords that describe your niche and expertise.

Consider creating evergreen content that remains relevant over time. This type of content continues to attract traffic long after it’s published, increasing the likelihood that brands will discover your work.

4. Be Bold and Pitch Yourself

Many writers wait for brands to approach them, but if you’ve built a strong audience, there’s no harm in reaching out first. Brands are often looking for content creators who can help them promote new products, and a well-timed pitch can be just what they need.

Actionable Tip: Time Your Pitch With a Brand’s Product Launch
Keep an eye on the brands you want to work with and look for opportunities to pitch them when they launch a new product. Craft a personalized pitch that highlights how your audience aligns with their target market and propose creating content around their new product.

Include examples of your work, metrics that demonstrate your audience’s engagement, and any past experiences with similar content. The more you can prove your value, the better your chances of securing the deal.

5. Sign Up for Creatuuls

Creatuuls connects creators with brands searching for partnerships. Signing up doesn’t cost anything, and it can open you up to multiple brand partnership opportunities.

Brands will be able to find you easily and you'll be able to attract multiple brands from one place.

Conclusion

Landing your first brand deal as a Substack writer is a journey that requires patience, strategy, and persistence to significantly increase your chances of success.

Every brand partnership begins with making yourself visible, valuable, and relevant to the brands you want to work with.