Find brands that already pay. Look where we look.

Why this exists

"Where do I find brands that actually pay?" is the second biggest question creators ask. Right behind "how much should I charge?" We read it in every form:

• "I've tried every platform and pitched, and nothing. There's so much information I don't know what works."
• "I genuinely can't find 50 brands to pitch."
• "I see accounts with 800 followers getting paid partnerships and I can't figure out how."
• "I only get gifted offers. How do I get paid ones?"

We run creator programs for brands, including Tabs, where our creator videos reach 100M+ views a month. So we're the ones doing the finding. This guide shows you where we look, and how to put yourself in those places.

The 6 places brands look for creators

1. Their own tags, comments, and mentions

The first place we look is our own notifications. Who tagged the brand? Who made a video about the product without being asked? Who's in the comments with something funny or useful to say?

Your move: make one good video about a product you already own and love. Tag the brand. Leave a real comment on their posts. You're now in the easiest pile to hire from: people who already like the product.

2. Search inside TikTok and Instagram

We search the platforms like a customer would. The product category, the problem it solves, the niche. Whoever shows up with clean, clear videos gets a DM.

Your move: use the words your niche's buyers would search in your captions and on-screen text. "Easy dinner for picky kids" beats "#foodie."

3. UGC marketplaces and creator platforms

Brands post briefs. Creators apply. These are useful for getting your first paid videos and portfolio pieces. Pay and competition vary a lot, so treat them as one channel, not the only one. (See the Platform Scorecard tool for how to judge them.)

Your move: apply to a few briefs a week that match your niche, and spend the rest of your time on direct outreach.

4. The platform's own creator tools

TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube each run official tools where brands can search and contact creators. Some brands use these as their main search engine.

Your move: sign up for the official creator tools you're eligible for and keep your profile complete. Check eligibility requirements on each platform; they change.

5. Referrals from agencies and other creators

When we need creators fast, we ask creators we already trust: "Who else is good?" Agencies do the same.

Your move: be generous with other creators. Share briefs that aren't right for you. Referrals flow both ways.

6. Pitches in the inbox

Yes, we read pitches. Good ones get replies. A short pitch with a clear video idea and a link to a similar video is exactly what a busy brand needs. (See the Pitch Pack tool for 10 templates.)

Your move: send 5 to 10 targeted pitches a week, not 100 generic ones.

The Meta Ad Library method

The big idea: a brand that's already running creator-style video ads is already buying creator content. You don't have to convince them UGC works. You just have to show them you're good at it.

The Meta Ad Library is a free, public search tool that shows the ads running on Facebook and Instagram.

Step by step

1. Go to the Meta Ad Library (search "Meta Ad Library" and use the official facebook.com link).
2. Set the country to where you live and the ad category to "All ads."
3. Search a product category, not a brand: "protein bar," "dog shampoo," "planner," "skincare."
4. Scroll and look for video ads that look like a real person filming on a phone. Talking to camera, unboxing, routine, before and after. That's UGC.
5. Click into the brand. Look at how many ads it's running. Several active creator-style ads, with new ones started recently, means they're buying content right now.
6. Note different faces in their ads. Different creators means they hire many, not just one.
7. Add the brand to your pitch list with a note: "Running UGC ads, [types of videos]."

Turn it into a pitch

Open your pitch with what you saw:

That line proves you did your homework. And you're offering more of something they already buy.

Bonus: TikTok has its own public tools for browsing top ads (look for the TikTok Creative Center). Same method, different platform. Tool names and features change, so check what's available in your country.

25 search prompts

Use these in TikTok search, Instagram search, Google, and the Ad Library. Swap in your niche.

To find brands that already work with creators:

1. "[niche] #ad"
   Copy
2. "[niche] #sponsored"
   Copy
3. "[niche] paid partnership"
   Copy
4. "[product type] review #partner"
   Copy
5. "[niche] UGC creator"
   Copy
6. "[product type] UGC ad"
   Copy
7. "[niche] brand ambassador program"
   Copy
8. "[niche] creator program apply"
   Copy

To find newer, smaller brands that need content:

9. "[product type] small business"
   Copy
10. "[product type] new launch"
    Copy
11. "[niche] founder story"
    Copy
12. "[product type] Shark Tank"
    Copy
13. "[product type] Kickstarter"
    Copy
14. "[product type] just launched on Amazon"
    Copy
15. "[niche] brand female founder"
    Copy
16. "[product type] direct to consumer"
    Copy

To find the person to pitch:

17. "[brand name] influencer marketing manager" (LinkedIn)
    Copy
18. "[brand name] creator partnerships" (LinkedIn)
    Copy
19. "[brand name] social media manager" (LinkedIn)
    Copy
20. "[brand name] collab" or "[brand name] partnerships" (their website)
    Copy
21. "[brand name] press contact"
    Copy

To find what's working right now:

22. "[product type]" in the Meta Ad Library, filtered to active video ads
    Copy
23. "[product type] TikTok made me buy it"
    Copy
24. "[product type] haul"
    Copy
25. "best [product type] 2026"
    Copy

Tip: keep a simple spreadsheet. Brand, website, contact, how you found them, date pitched, follow-up date, reply. A creator asked how to stop accidentally pitching the same brand twice. This fixes it.

The gifted-to-paid playbook

Gifted offers are not the enemy. They're a signal that a brand sees you. The goal is to turn that signal into a paid brief.

When gifted is worth saying yes to

• You have no portfolio yet, and the product fits your niche.
• It's a brand you'd genuinely pitch for paid work later.
• They don't ask for usage rights, a contract, or a script. (Gifted with paid-level demands is not gifted. It's unpaid work.)

When to say no, or counter

• They want paid usage, whitelisting, or exclusivity.
• They want a scripted video with revisions and deadlines.
• You already have a portfolio and paid clients in that niche.

The 3-step move

Step 1. Say yes to the brand, not to free. Use the gifted-to-paid DM from the Pitch Pack: thank them, share your rate, offer a small paid first step.

Step 2. If you do the gifted video, make it great and track it. Views, saves, comments asking where to buy. Screenshot them.

Step 3. Follow up within 2 weeks with results and a paid offer. "The video got [result]. I'd love to make more. My rate is [X] per video, or [package] a month."

Once a brand has seen your work perform, a paid offer is a small step. You're no longer a stranger asking for money. You're the creator who already got results.