In this episode, Lloyd George and I are spilling the tea on brand deals and influencer know-how! Get ready to learn the ropes from the ground up, as we dive into pitching strategies, negotiation tactics, and the evolving landscape of ads. We're dishing out personal experiences and insider insights that'll inspire your journey into the world of brand deals. From crafting the perfect pitch to understanding the micro vs. macro influencer game, we've got you covered. And it's not just about the dollars – we're showing you how brand deals can elevate your personal brand and career trajectory.  Meet Lloyd, a Zimbabwean American content creator, and freelance project manager with a passion for empowering Creators of Color. By day, he manages creative projects for brands like GoPuff, DraftKings and Chic-Fil-A. By night, he dedicates himself to crafting content that amplifies diverse voices. Lloyd has created content for global brands such as Spotify, Riverside.FM, Acast, Creative Juice, and LinkedIn. His passion for the creator economy shines through in all his work. Within the last 90 days, over 3,000 people have completed his podcast course. Lloyd has also built a thriving community of over 15,000 creatives across all social platforms. A sought-after podcast consultant, Lloyd leverages his expertise to help brands harness the power of podcasting to reach their goals. As his career progresses, he looks forward to new opportunities in consulting, brand collaborations, and work as on-air talent. Tune in and level up your influencer game with must-know tips, contract wisdom, and a fresh perspective on why brand deals are your secret weapon. Learn about: [2:40] How to get started with brand deals [4:10] Tapping into the awareness of your potential [9:00] Experiences working with brand deals [11:35] How to start with pitching brand deals [14:55] Developing a brand pitch strategy [17:10] Micro vs. macro influencer [18:10] How to negotiate contracts and developing partnerships [19:05] How ads are changing [20:15] Reframing why you need a brand deal [21:55] Must-know tips for securing brand deals [23:10] Contracts and retainers   Want more? Join our Patreon community for exclusive content, bonus Q&As, and binge the episodes before they go live. More info here: https://www.patreon.com/asitrelatestopodcasting Resources: Canva Templates for Podcasters: https://simonacostantini.ck.page/products/podcasttemplates Launch Your Podcast in 8 Weeks: https://simonacostantini.ck.page/launchyourpodcastin8weeks Podcast Recording Equipment Guide: https://simonacostantini.ck.page/podcastequipmentdownload Online Course [Start and Launch Your Podcast in 8 Weeks]: https://www.simonacostantini.com/start-and-launch-a-podcast-in-just-8-weeks  Podcast Manager in a Box: https://www.simonacostantini.com/podcastmanagerinabox Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/GZ4EQnY9 7 Ways to Monetize Your Podcast: https://simonacostantini.ck.page/afb0a1adaf Free LinkedIn Marketing Strategy Quiz:  https://richperry.com/linkedin-marketing-strategy-quiz/       Connect with Lloyd here: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0VFJDLNVjFGQuCavpwjERw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge/ Website: https://www.bigcreator.energy/     Connect with Simona here: Instagram: www.instagram.com/simona__costantini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/costantiniproductions  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simona-costantini-25653a30/ Website: https://simonacostantini.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/asitrelatestopodcasting Happiness Happens Podcast: https://www.simonacostantini.com/happinesshappenspodcast