When you’re just starting out as a content creator, it feels huge when a brand DMs you with an offer.
The product? Free.
The result? Almost always a waste of time.
“I’ve gotten hundreds of free products at this point, and a lot of them are not useful to my actual life. I never use them after the video. And the videos perform horribly.”
— From my own video log
This article is for creators who are just starting to get brand offers—and are wondering which ones are worth it. I’ve made enough mistakes here to know: taking every deal will hurt your brand.
The First Few Offers Feel Like a Milestone
When brands first started reaching out to me, I accepted just about everything.
It was exciting. I thought getting free products meant I was doing well as a creator.
I was wrong.
Here’s what happened again and again:
- A company offered to send me a free product.
- I spent time filming, editing, promoting.
- The video flopped—low views, low engagement.
- I never used the product again.
These weren’t meaningful partnerships. These were just companies looking for cheap content—and I was giving it to them.
Most Sponsored Videos Just Don’t Perform
“A lot of brand partnerships don’t do that good, because nobody really wants to watch sponsored videos that often.”
This is what I’ve seen firsthand.
When the content doesn’t fit your voice or style, your audience can tell.
In one case, I remember doing a review for a tech accessory that looked cool in the pitch, but once I had it in hand, I realized I’d never actually use it.
Still, I made the video.
The result? Very few views, almost no comments, and hours wasted.
Multiply that by 20 or 30 deals, and it’s a real hit to your momentum.
What These Deals Really Say About Your Brand
When you take every free offer, you’re signaling:
- You’ll work for product alone.
- Your time isn’t worth money yet.
- You’re willing to post off-brand content just to be seen.
Even worse: you’re building a habit of valuing the wrong things—short-term excitement over long-term growth.
This might sound harsh, but it’s something I had to learn myself. It took me dozens of “meh” brand posts to finally ask: Why am I doing this?
None of it was helping me grow.
When Saying “Yes” Makes Sense
Not all brand deals are bad. Here’s when I think it’s worth considering:
- You’re just starting out, and it’s your first deal. It’s okay to get the reps in and see what it’s like.
- The product is actually useful to you. Something you’d genuinely use and recommend.
- You’re getting paid enough to make it worth your time. Not just the free product—actual money.
If it doesn’t meet one of these?
It’s probably not worth doing.
I Still Slip Up (This Post Is My Reminder)
“This is something that I am mostly saying to hold myself accountable as well because I still do this sometimes.”
Even now, I sometimes take a deal just because it sounds cool—or because it’s been a while since I posted a brand video.
But I’ve learned to catch myself and ask better questions:
- Is this something my audience will care about?
- Will I use this beyond the video?
- Does it help me move forward, or is it just another distraction?
Most of the time, if I’m being honest, the answer is no.
Here’s What to Do Instead
The best videos you’ll ever make aren’t sponsored.
It’s where you show up consistently, post what you love, and keep leveling up your content.
Instead of filling your feed with mediocre promo posts:
- Double down on what’s already working.
- Post regularly—even without a brand involved.
- Build a brand that earns real money and trust over time.
That’s what will bring better deals later—ones that pay, ones that align, and ones that are worth the time.
Let’s Talk
Have you taken a brand deal that totally flopped?
Or one that actually helped you grow?
Let me know. I want to hear how you’re handling these offers—and where you’ve drawn the line.
Ready to start building long-term brand partnerships that actually matter?
Focus on your personal brand, not just free stuff.
About The Author
