In episode 711, Megan chats to Candice Ward about smart and actionable strategies for content creators looking to work with brands in the ever-evolving 2025 landscape.

Candice is a food photographer that has worked with brands like Crisco, In the Raw Sugar, Stone Wall Kitchen, Eagle Brand Milk and more. She is also a strategy and monetization coach for food bloggers and content creators that spent a decade in sales at Fortune 500 Companies, hitting massive quotas. Candice founded The Confident Pitch Program, helping hundreds of content creators monetize and scale their business strategically so they have more time to focus on being creative. She teaches a pitching method that has allowed her to make a full time income on a 10 hour work week, take 1 month off to travel with her family and have creative freedom to only say yes to clients that are in alignment with her brand. She lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and 2 boys.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to approach brands, pitch confidently, and stay relevant in a market that’s moving away from traditional influencer metrics.

Key points discussed include:

- Brands want long-term relationships: Say goodbye to one-off deals—brands are now investing in ongoing partnerships with creators.

- Small creators are thriving: You don’t need a huge following to land a brand deal; engagement and value matter more.

- Pitch with purpose: Stand out by sending customized, value-driven pitches rather than generic emails.

- Leverage your strengths: Whether it's your blog, email list, or YouTube channel, focus on where you already perform well.

- Position your offer strategically: Think beyond photos and blog posts—offer digital products, memberships, or UGC services.

- Evolve with AI in mind: Adapt your messaging and brand collaborations to reflect a world influenced by AI tools and expectations.

- Go beyond social media: Brands are hungry for access to niche audiences outside of the algorithm-heavy platforms.

- Think like a marketer: Understand what brands need, and position yourself as the creator who can deliver results.

Connect with Candice Ward

Website | Instagram