Discovering Brands

Finding the right brand partners is key to successful collaborations. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about discovering brands, evaluating opportunities, and sending compelling proposals on Flexilocus.

Brand Discovery Overview

What is Brand Discovery?

Brand Discovery is a feature that allows you to proactively find and connect with brands looking for creator partnerships. Instead of waiting for brands to find you, you can take the initiative to explore companies, evaluate fit, and reach out with collaboration proposals.

Access Requirements

To access brand discovery features:

Account Requirements:

✅ Verified email address
✅ Completed profile with at least one verified channel
✅ Active account in good standing
✅ May require profile completeness threshold

Discovery Settings:

Your brand discovery access may be automatically enabled
No subscription required for creators (unlike brands who pay to discover creators)

How Brands Appear in Discovery

When browsing brands, you'll see:

Brand Cards/Listings showing:

Company logo
Brand name
Industry/category
Company size
Location
Brief description
Discovery settings (if they accept proposals)

Detailed Information (when you click):

Full company profile
Brand values and mission
Marketing preferences
Social media presence
Types of collaborations they're interested in
Discovery settings and requirements

Types of Brand Opportunities

Public Campaigns:

Brands post campaigns that creators can apply to
Open to all eligible creators
Specific requirements and budgets
Application-based

Direct Proposals:

You can send proposals directly to brands
Introduce yourself and pitch your value
Custom collaboration ideas
No formal campaign required

Invite-Only:

Some brands manually invite specific creators
Based on your profile and channels
Usually higher-tier opportunities

Ongoing Partnerships:

Long-term relationships with brands
Multiple collaborations over time
Ambassador or affiliate programs

Browsing Brands

Navigating the Brand Discovery Page

How to Access:

Log in to your Flexilocus creator dashboard
Look for "Discover Brands", "Brand Discovery", or "Browse Brands" in the main navigation
Click to open the brand discovery interface

Page Layout:

Search bar at the top
Filters panel (left sidebar or top)
Brand cards or list view (main content area)
Pagination or infinite scroll
View toggle (card view vs. list view)

Understanding Brand Profiles

Basic Information:

Company Name: Official brand name
Logo: Brand's logo or visual identity
Industry: Sector the brand operates in (e.g., Beauty, Tech, Food)
Company Size: Number of employees (helps gauge budget)
Location: Headquarters or primary location
Website: Link to their official website

Brand Identity:

Mission Statement: What the brand stands for
Brand Values: Core principles and beliefs
Target Audience: Who they're trying to reach
Brand Voice: Communication style (professional, casual, playful, etc.)

Marketing Information:

Marketing Channels: Where they advertise (social media, TV, digital, etc.)
Previous Influencer Campaigns: Whether they've worked with creators before
Budget Range: Approximate collaboration budget (if shared)
Collaboration Preferences: Types of content they're looking for

Social Media Presence:

Links to brand's social accounts
Follower counts
Content style examples
Engagement levels

What Information Brands Provide

Required Information:

Company name and description
Industry
Contact information or point of contact
Whether they accept creator proposals

Optional Information (varies by brand):

Detailed brand values and mission
Target audience demographics
Marketing budget ranges
Preferred collaboration types
Past influencer partnerships
Brand guidelines or requirements
Response time expectations

Brand Categories and Industries

Common Industries:

Beauty & Cosmetics: Skincare, makeup, hair care
Fashion & Apparel: Clothing, accessories, footwear
Food & Beverage: Restaurants, food products, drinks
Technology: Software, gadgets, electronics
Health & Fitness: Supplements, fitness equipment, wellness
Travel & Hospitality: Hotels, airlines, travel services
Home & Lifestyle: Home decor, furniture, organization
Entertainment: Games, streaming services, events
Finance: Banking, investing, financial services
Education: Online courses, educational platforms
Automotive: Cars, accessories, services
Pet Products: Pet food, toys, services
And many more...

Company Information Displayed

Company Size:

Startup (1-10 employees)
Small business (11-50)
Medium business (51-200)
Large company (201-1000)
Enterprise (1000+)

Why It Matters:

Larger companies often have bigger budgets
Smaller companies may offer more creative freedom
Company size affects decision-making speed

Location:

Helps identify local collaboration opportunities
Important for in-person events or product pickups
Relevant for region-specific campaigns

Website & Social Links:

Research the brand before proposing
Understand their current marketing efforts
Check if their values align with yours

Filtering & Search

Using Filters to Narrow Down Brands

How to Access Filters:

Look for "Filters" button or panel on the brand discovery page
Usually located in a left sidebar or collapsible menu
Click to expand filter options

Applying Filters:

Select your filter criteria (see below)
Click "Apply" or "Filter"
Results update automatically
You can apply multiple filters simultaneously

Searching by Industry

Why Industry Matters:

Align with brands in your content niche
Increase relevance and conversion
Build expertise in specific sectors

How to Filter by Industry:

Find "Industry" or "Category" filter
Select one or multiple industries
Example: Select "Beauty & Cosmetics" and "Fashion" to see brands in those sectors

Strategy:

Start with your primary content niche
Explore adjacent industries (e.g., if you do fitness, also look at nutrition and wellness)
Don't limit yourself too much—sometimes unexpected partnerships work best

Filtering by Brand Categories

Content Categories (what they're interested in):

Brands may specify what content categories they want to work with
Filter to show only brands interested in your content type
Example: A tech brand interested in gaming content

How to Use:

Find "Looking For" or "Content Categories" filter
Select categories that match your content
Only brands interested in those categories will appear

Location-Based Filtering

Geographic Filters:

Country
State/Province
City
Region (North America, Europe, Asia, etc.)

When to Use Location Filters:

You want local brand partnerships
Campaign requires in-person presence
You create location-specific content
Shipping or product pickup considerations

How to Apply:

Find "Location" filter
Select country, region, or city
Brands in or targeting those locations will appear

Minimum Follower Requirements

Some brands set minimum follower count requirements for creators they'll work with.

Understanding This Filter:

Filters brands based on whether you meet their minimum requirements
Saves time by hiding brands you don't qualify for
Based on your channel statistics

How It Works:

System checks your channel follower counts
Compares against brand requirements
Shows only brands you're eligible for (if filter is applied)

Example:

Brand A requires minimum 50K YouTube subscribers
Your channel has 30K subscribers
Brand A won't appear if you filter for "Eligible Opportunities Only"

Pro Tip: Sometimes it's worth reaching out even if you're slightly below the threshold, especially if your engagement rate is high.

Saving Filter Preferences

Some platforms allow you to save your filter settings:

How to Save:

Apply your preferred filters
Look for "Save Filters" or "Save Search" button
Name your saved filter set
Next time, select it from "Saved Filters" dropdown

Why Save Filters:

Quickly access relevant brands
Consistent search criteria
Save time on repeat searches
Track specific brand types

Viewing Brand Profiles

Accessing Full Brand Profiles

From Brand Discovery:

Browse or filter brands
Click on a brand card or listing
You'll be taken to the full brand profile page

What You'll See:

Complete company information
Detailed brand description
Marketing preferences
Discovery settings
Social media links
Contact or collaboration options

Brand Profile Components

Header Section:

Brand logo (large)
Brand name
Industry tags
Location
"Send Proposal" or "Contact" button

About Section:

Company description
Mission statement
What makes them unique
History or background

Brand Identity:

Core values
Target audience
Brand personality
Unique selling propositions

Marketing Information:

Marketing channels they use
Influencer marketing experience
Budget ranges (if shared)
Campaign types they run

Social Presence:

Links to Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.
Follower counts
Content examples
Engagement metrics

Collaboration Preferences:

What they're looking for in creators
Preferred content types
Platform preferences
Minimum requirements

Discovery Settings:

Whether they accept direct proposals
Minimum follower requirements
Preferred categories
Geographic targeting

Company Information and Values

Why Brand Values Matter:

Ensure alignment with your personal values
Authenticity is key to successful collaborations
Your audience will sense misalignment
Protects your reputation

What to Look For:

Mission Alignment: Do their goals resonate with you?
Ethical Practices: Sustainable, fair trade, ethical sourcing?
Target Audience Match: Do they target your audience demographic?
Content Style: Does their brand voice match yours?

Red Flags:

Values that contradict yours
Controversial practices or products
Poor reviews or negative press
Misalignment with your audience's interests

Brand Voice and Style

Understanding Brand Voice:

Professional: Formal, corporate, authoritative
Casual: Friendly, conversational, approachable
Playful: Fun, humorous, light-hearted
Luxurious: Sophisticated, elegant, premium
Edgy: Bold, rebellious, unconventional

Why It Matters:

You'll need to incorporate their voice into your content
Mismatched voices feel inauthentic
Easier to create content when styles align

Evaluating Fit:

Review their social media content
Watch existing influencer partnerships
Check their website and marketing materials
Consider if you can authentically represent their voice

Social Media Presence

What to Check:

Follower Counts: Gauge their market presence
Posting Frequency: Are they active?
Content Quality: Professional? Engaging?
Engagement Rate: Do followers interact?
Influencer Collabs: Have they worked with creators before?
Comments: What do people say about them?

Analysis Questions:

Are they established on social media?
Do they understand influencer marketing?
What type of content performs well for them?
How do they engage with their community?
Are there any recent controversies?

Discovery Settings

What Are Discovery Settings?: Brand preferences for receiving proposals and working with creators.

Key Settings to Check:

Accept Direct Proposals:

✅ Enabled: You can send proposals directly
❌ Disabled: They don't accept unsolicited proposals (may only work through campaigns)

Minimum Follower Requirements:

YouTube: Minimum subscribers
Instagram: Minimum followers
TikTok: Minimum followers
etc.

Platform Preferences:

Which platforms they're interested in
May only want YouTube creators, for example

Category Preferences:

What content niches they're looking for
Your content should match at least one

Geographic Requirements:

Whether they target specific countries or regions
May only want US-based creators, for example

Response Expectations:

How long it typically takes them to respond
Whether they respond to all proposals

Sending Proposals to Brands

When to Send a Direct Proposal

Good Times to Propose:

✅ Your profile aligns perfectly with their target audience
✅ You have a creative, specific collaboration idea
✅ They accept direct proposals (check discovery settings)
✅ You meet their minimum requirements
✅ You've done research on the brand

When to Wait:

❌ They don't accept proposals (campaign-only)
❌ You don't meet minimum requirements
❌ Your content doesn't align with their industry
❌ You have nothing specific to offer (generic proposal)

Crafting an Effective Proposal Message

A great proposal includes:

1. Personalized Introduction

Address the brand specifically (avoid copy-paste templates)
Show you've researched them
Mention what you love about the brand

2. Who You Are

Brief introduction
Your niche and platforms
Key statistics (followers, engagement)

3. Why You're a Good Fit

Audience alignment
Shared values
Content style match
Past experience in their industry

4. Specific Collaboration Idea

What you propose (specific deliverables)
Why it will work
How it benefits the brand
Timeline and logistics

5. Social Proof

Past brand collaborations
Performance metrics
Testimonials or results

6. Call-to-Action

Next steps
Invitation to view your storefront
Flexibility for discussion

Example Proposal:

Subject: Collaboration Proposal from [Your Name]

Hi [Brand Name] Team,

I'm [Your Name], a sustainable fashion creator with 120K followers on Instagram
and 80K subscribers on YouTube. I've been following [Brand Name] for over a
year and absolutely love your commitment to ethical manufacturing and timeless
design.

My audience consists of 22-35-year-old women who are actively seeking sustainable
fashion alternatives. When I recommend products, they listen—my recent partnership
with [Similar Brand] resulted in a 40% click-through rate and sold out their
featured item within 48 hours.

I'd love to create a capsule wardrobe series featuring your [specific product
line]. The concept:
- 4 Instagram Reels showing different styling options (60 seconds each)
- 1 YouTube video: "Building a Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe with [Brand Name]" (8-10 minutes)
- 6 Instagram Stories documenting the styling process
- All content includes swipe-up links and trackable discount code

I believe this would resonate strongly with both our audiences because [specific
reason based on their brand values].

You can view my full portfolio and past brand work at [your storefront URL].
I'd love to discuss this further and explore how we can create something amazing
together.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Instagram Handle]

Selecting Which Channels to Propose

Single-Channel Proposal:

Focus on one platform
Simpler, lower budget
Good for initial partnerships

Multi-Channel Proposal:

Cross-platform campaign
Higher budget but more reach
Better for established relationships

How to Choose:

Brand's Platform Presence: Where are they most active?
Content Type: What platform best showcases their product?
Your Strongest Channel: Lead with your best platform
Budget Considerations: More channels = higher cost
Campaign Goals: Awareness (YouTube) vs. Conversion (Instagram)

Proposal Structure:

Primary Channel: Main focus of collaboration
Secondary Channels: Supporting content
Bundle Pricing: Slight discount for multi-channel deals

Pricing Strategies for Proposals

Transparent Pricing:

Include specific prices in your proposal
Clear breakdown per deliverable
No surprises for the brand

Range Pricing:

"Packages starting at $X"
Allows for negotiation
More flexible

Discuss Pricing:

Don't include pricing in initial proposal
"Let's discuss budget and scope"
Good for custom campaigns

Pricing Breakdown Example:

Proposed Package:

YouTube Video (10 minutes): $2,000
- Dedicated product review/tutorial
- Featured in title and thumbnail
- Product links in description
- 1 revision included

Instagram Reel + Stories Bundle: $800
- 1 x 60-second Reel
- 3 x Instagram Stories
- Product tagging
- Swipe-up links

TOTAL: $2,800

Multi-channel bundle discount: $2,500 (save $300)

Pricing Tips:

Research market rates for your follower count
Factor in all production time and costs
Include usage rights in base price or charge extra
Offer bundle discounts for multi-deliverable deals
Be willing to negotiate but know your minimum

Following Up on Proposals

When to Follow Up:

First Follow-Up: 5-7 days after sending proposal
Second Follow-Up: 2 weeks after first follow-up
Final Follow-Up: 1 month after second follow-up

How to Follow Up:

First Follow-Up (Polite Reminder):

Hi [Brand Name],

Just wanted to follow up on my collaboration proposal sent on [date]. I'm still
very excited about the possibility of working together and would love to answer
any questions you might have.

Please let me know if you'd like to discuss further!

Best,
[Your Name]

Second Follow-Up (Add Value):

Hi [Brand Name],

Following up on my proposal from [date]. I recently created [similar content]
that performed exceptionally well [include metrics], which further validates
why I think our collaboration would be successful.

Here's the link: [URL]

Would love to chat if you're interested!

Best,
[Your Name]

Final Follow-Up (Graceful Exit):

Hi [Brand Name],

I understand you're likely busy evaluating many partnership opportunities. This
is my final follow-up regarding my proposal from [date].

If timing isn't right now, I'd be happy to reconnect in the future. Please
keep me in mind for upcoming campaigns!

Best,
[Your Name]

Follow-Up Best Practices:

Be polite and professional
Don't be pushy or demanding
Add value with each follow-up
Know when to move on
Keep it brief

When NOT to Follow Up:

Brand explicitly declined
No-reply policy stated in their profile
More than 3 follow-ups sent
You've been blocked or reported

Tips for Successful Brand Outreach

Research the Brand Thoroughly

Before proposing:

Visit their website
Review their social media content
Read about their mission and values
Check recent news or press releases
Look for existing influencer partnerships
Understand their target audience

Personalize Every Proposal

Use the brand's name (not "Dear Brand")
Reference specific products or campaigns
Show genuine interest and knowledge
Explain why YOU specifically are a good fit
Avoid generic copy-paste templates

Be Specific and Clear

Propose specific deliverables
Include timelines
Mention exact platforms and content types
Provide clear pricing (or state you're open to discussion)
Make it easy for them to say yes

Highlight Mutual Benefit

Don't just talk about what you want
Emphasize what the brand gets
Include performance predictions or past results
Show how you'll help them achieve their goals
Demonstrate ROI potential

Show, Don't Just Tell

Link to your best past brand work
Include performance metrics
Attach media kit if you have one
Reference your storefront
Provide social proof

Maintain Professionalism

Proofread your proposal (typos kill credibility)
Use proper grammar and formatting
Be respectful and courteous
Set realistic expectations
Follow through on commitments

Be Patient but Persistent

Give brands time to respond (they're busy)
Follow up appropriately
Don't take non-responses personally
Keep trying with different brands
Learn from rejections

Next Steps

Now that you understand brand discovery:

Browse Brands → Start exploring companies that align with your niche
Research Thoroughly → Vet brands before proposing
Send Proposals → Reach out with personalized, compelling proposals
Explore Campaigns → Campaigns
Manage Collaborations → Collaborations

Remember: Quality over quantity. It's better to send 5 well-researched, personalized proposals than 50 generic ones. Focus on brands that truly align with your values and audience, and the collaborations will be more successful and fulfilling!