From Free to Paid: Landing Your First Brand Deal (Pitch, Price, Negotiate) | The Social Circle | Ep 29

New creators ask us all the time: how do you land your first paid brand deal?

In this episode, we cover what brands actually look for, why free product ≠ partnership, how to write a pitch that gets opened, and what to negotiate so you protect your time and usage rights.

What you’ll learn:

• Cold pitch subject lines that get opened

• Free product vs paid partnership (and when free makes sense)

• What to include in your pitch (short, clear, personal)

• How to find brand fits you actually use

• Basics of pricing, usage rights, and simple contract red flags

• Turning one deal into multiple income streams (affiliate + storefront)

Social Spotlight: Jess (ScrunchieMomdotcom) shares her first paid deal, the contract terms she pushed back on, and how she secured a follow-up campaign!

Episode Tools & Resources:

Repurpose.io: https://repurpose.io?fpr=311209&fp_sid=tsc 

Helps creators stay consistent by automating distribution; think “post once, publish everywhere. 

Beacons: https://beacons.ai/signup?c=candace.wells 

A “link-in-bio” tool for creators. It lets you create a mini landing page where you can share all your important links in one place; social profiles, affiliate links, products, sign-ups, or even a storefront. 

Jess Stapleton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scrunchymomdotcom

Jess Stapleton Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.stapleton.128674

All Equipment: https://www.amazon.com/shop/justamarketingchick?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_Y0JKD4XNF58WDVX0NCHR

Welcome to The Social Circle! The podcast for creators who want growth that actually lasts.

Each week, hosts Candace and Jennifer cut through the noise of social media “hacks” and million-dollar formulas to bring you what’s really working for creators right now.

Inside every episode, we talk honest breakdowns of social trends and strategies, hacks you can use the same day, real creator success stories and highlights from inside our Social Circle VIP Skool community.

This isn’t about posting more, it’s about building a brand, an audience, and income you can control, without burning out and giving up.

💡 Want to learn beyond the podcast? 

1. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesocialcirclevip/

2. Join The Social Circle VIP: skool.com/the-social-circle-vip-1058 Our creator community with weekly live coaching, 80+ hours of training, and real strategies to grow with confidence.

🎙 New Podcast episodes every week! Subscribe now: 

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-social-circle/id1797627683

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JENNIFER OFFICIAL LINKS:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen_radolak/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferradolak 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferradolak 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hellothere85 

CANDACE OFFICIAL LINKS:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justtheblendedwells/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@justtheblendedwells 

TikTok: <