The kinds of brand deals
A brand deal is a trade. A shoe company gives you shoes or money, and you show their shoes to people who watch you. Both sides should get something fair.
| Deal type | What you usually get | What you usually give |
|---|---|---|
| Gifted / seeding | Free product | Often nothing required, but if you post, you disclose |
| Affiliate | A commission per sale through your link or code | Posts with your link or code |
| Ambassador program | Discounts, free gear, commission, sometimes cash later | Regular posts, using the product, representing the brand |
| Paid post / campaign | A flat fee | A set number of posts, videos or stories |
| Long-term sponsorship | Cash and/or product for months or a season | Ongoing content, appearances, exclusivity |
- Many sports-equipment programs start with gear and commission, not cash. Example: 11SIX24's pickleball ambassador program describes a commission per paddle sold through your link, with no follower minimum.
- Cash deals usually follow proof: a growing audience, strong engagement, tournament results, or a track record of sales through your link.
- Write the five deal types in a list: gifted, affiliate, ambassador, paid post, long-term sponsorship.
- Next to each, write yes or no: could you realistically get this today?
- Circle your current level. Most beginners start with gifted or affiliate.
- For the next level up, write the proof a brand would want, such as audience size, engagement, results or sales through your code.
- Write one action you can do this month to build that proof.
- Check: you know your current level, your next level, and one proof you are working on.
Read the video script
[Host] "Brand deal doesn't always mean a big cheque."
[Text on screen: Gifted, Affiliate, Ambassador, Paid post, Sponsor] "There are five common types. Most people start with gear or commission."
[Host] "Cash comes later, when you can prove you move people to act."
[Text on screen: Proof beats promises] "So start collecting proof from day one."
Write down which of the five deal types you could realistically get today, and what proof you'd need for the next level.
ClaudeStuck? Copy a ready-made prompt for Claude
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I'm learning "Sponsorships & Brand Deals for Creators and Athletes" on The Future Market. Lesson 1: "The kinds of brand deals". What the lesson teaches: - Deal type - What you usually get - What you usually give - Gifted / seeding - Free product - Often nothing required, but if you post, you disclose - Affiliate - A commission per sale through your link or code - Posts with your link or code - Ambassador program - Discounts, free gear, commission, sometimes cash later - Regular posts, using the product, representing the brand - Paid post / campaign - A flat fee - A set number of posts, videos or stories - Long-term sponsorship - Cash and/or product for months or a season - Ongoing content, appearances, exclusivity - Many sports-equipment programs start with gear and commission, not cash. Example: 11SIX24's pickleball ambassador program describes a commission per paddle sold through your link, with no follower minimum. The exercise I'm working on: Write down which of the five deal types you could realistically get today, and what proof you'd need for the next level. I'm stuck. Please: 1. Explain the main idea in plain, simple words with one everyday example. 2. Walk me through the exercise one small step at a time. Ask me what I've done so far before giving the next step. 3. Don't just give me the final answer. Help me do it myself, and check my work when I share it.
I'm a parent helping my child (about 8 years old) with a lesson called "The kinds of brand deals" from the course "Sponsorships & Brand Deals for Creators and Athletes". Here's what the lesson says: A brand deal is a trade. A shoe company gives you shoes or money, and you show their shoes to people who watch you. Both sides should get something fair. The activity: Write down which of the five deal types you could realistically get today, and what proof you'd need for the next level. Please explain this so an 8-year-old understands: short sentences, a fun everyday example, and no hard words. Then give me 3 simple questions I can ask my child to check they understood, and a way to do the activity together, one tiny step at a time.
Sources
- 11SIX24 ambassador program: 11six24.com/pages/ambassador-program
Your media kit
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Finding brands and pitching
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Reading the deal (what to check before you sign)
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Disclosure rules (with Canadian examples)
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Money, tax and records (education only)
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Final project
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Quiz
Name three common types of brand deals.
Any three of: gifted, affiliate, ambassador, paid post, long-term sponsorship.
What is a material connection?
A link with a brand (payment, free product, commission, invite, family or business tie) that could affect how people judge your post.
What label describes the clearest way to disclose an ad?
A standalone #ad.
Is a platform's paid-partnership tag always enough?
Only if it is prominent and clear on every device; when in doubt, add #ad.
What are usage rights?
The brand's permission to reuse your content (for example in its own ads), for a set time and place.
How should a copyright assignment be made?
In writing, signed by the owner.
Do tax agencies generally count free products received for promotion as income?
Yes, non-monetary income from social media should usually be reported; check your country's rules.
Why should a creator check sales tax registration rules in their country?
Registration is often required once sales pass a set amount, and the amount differs by country (Canada's GST/HST threshold is $30,000 over four quarters).
Final exam
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Certificate
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