By Iana, co-founder of Nicole & Nora
Free product is usually the first way a brand ever works with you — a bag of treats, a new harness, a monthly box, in exchange for a post. It's also the on-ramp to paid deals. The best part: brands gift small accounts all the time, because your content is cheaper and more authentic than an ad. Here's exactly how to get it.
In this guide
Why brands gift even small accounts The 6 ways to get gifted Where gifting actually lives Disclose it (the law) Turn gifted into paid FAQWhy brands gift even small accounts
Because it's a bargain for them. A gifted collaboration costs a brand the wholesale price of a product and gets them real content, a genuine review, and a post in front of a warm, engaged audience — often cheaper and more convincing than a paid ad. Engagement beats follower count here, and pet accounts engage far above average. A 2,000-follower dachshund account whose audience actually comments is more attractive than a sleepy 50k account. Which is why "I'm too small" is the myth that keeps most creators from ever asking.
The 6 ways to get gifted
1. Make your profile "collab-ready"
A clear niche, a readable bio, a contact email, and a line like "collabs: [email]." Brands and their agencies scout profiles daily — make it obvious you're open and easy to reach. A professional address at your own domain (like collabs@yourpetname.com) via Google Workspace reads more legit than a personal Gmail once you're pitching regularly. (referral — you get 10% off, we may earn a reward at no cost to you) Our media kit guide and free template get you pitch-ready.
2. Warm up the brands you already use
Before you ask, engage. Tag brands in genuine posts, comment on theirs, use their hashtags. When your pitch lands, you're already a familiar, friendly face — not a cold stranger.
3. Pitch directly (a short, warm ask)
A two-line DM or email: who you are, one specific reason you love the product, and an offer to create content in exchange for gifting. Attach or link your media kit. Direct pitching is the highest-yield route because there's no middleman. Templates are in our pitching guide.
4. Join brand ambassador programs
Many pet brands run standing programs that gift product (plus a discount code and commission). Several accept creators with a few hundred followers. See our 11 real ambassador programs.
5. Sign up for gifting / creator platforms
Marketplaces connect brands running gifting campaigns with creators — you apply, get approved, receive product, and deliver content. See "where gifting lives" below.
6. Use the Amazon Influencer route
Get approved for an Amazon Influencer storefront and you can request many pet products for free through their creator/Vine-style programs, then post your video reviews. A steady source of gifted gear — and commission — once you're in.
Where gifting actually lives
Beyond pitching directly, these are the places pet gifting happens:
- Brand ambassador pages — Chewy, BarkBox, P.L.A.Y., Bullibone and more (full list in our ambassador guide).
- Creator gifting marketplaces — platforms like Aspire, #paid, Insense, Social Cat, and Trend run gifting and product-seeding campaigns you can apply to. (Insense link is an affiliate — we may earn a commission at no cost to you)
- Affiliate-plus-gifting programs — many brands pair a gift with a commission link; see our affiliate programs guide.
- Local & indie brands — small pet businesses on Instagram are often the easiest, fastest yes. Start there.
The Petfluencer Playbook includes the exact gifting and brand-deal pitch templates, a media kit, and the plan to turn your first free box into paid work.
Disclose it (this part is the law)
Gifted content is advertising, and you must clearly disclose it. Use "#gifted," "#ad," or the platform's paid-partnership label — plainly, not buried in a wall of hashtags. It's required by advertising rules, and good brands specifically look for creators who get disclosure right. It also builds trust with your audience, which is the whole point. For exactly what to write, see our FTC disclosure guide for pet creators — with copy-paste #ad, #gifted, and affiliate lines.
Turn gifted into paid
Gifting is the audition, not the destination. To move up:
- Over-deliver on the first gift. Great content, on time, tagged correctly. You're proving you're easy to work with.
- Share the results. Send the brand your views, saves, and any sales their code drove. Numbers make the next conversation about money.
- Ask. "I'd love to keep working together — here's my rate for ongoing content." Set it with our rate calculator and rates guide.
Do that a few times and gifting quietly becomes a paycheck. More on the full path in earning your first $1,000.
FAQ
How many followers do I need to get free products?
Fewer than you think. Many brands and ambassador programs gift creators with a few hundred to a few thousand engaged followers. Engagement and a clear niche matter more than raw follower count.
Do I have to disclose gifted products?
Yes. Gifted content is advertising and must be clearly labeled with "#gifted," "#ad," or a paid-partnership tag. It is required by law and brands screen for creators who disclose properly.
What's the difference between gifting and a paid brand deal?
Gifting means you receive free product in exchange for content, with no cash. A paid deal adds a fee on top. Gifting is usually the first step, and consistent, professional gifted work is how you get to paid.
Is it worth accepting every gift offered?
No. Only accept products that genuinely fit your pet and your niche. A feed full of random gifted items reads as inauthentic and can lower the engagement that makes you attractive to better brands.
Next: build your media kit, learn how to pitch brands, or browse ambassador programs that gift right now.