Influencer Confidential

Hosted by Sidewalker Daily

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337

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Influencer Confidential, a podcast brought to you by Sidewalker Daily. In this podcast, we are dedicated to creating transparency in the Influencer Industry and showing what it takes to succeed in this new world. Sidewalker Daily is a consulting agency that works on both sides of the influencer industry. On one hand, Sidewalker Daily consults for brands and public relations firms on their influencer marketing initiatives and social media strategy and on the other, the company works with influencers and creators to help them build sustainable businesses online. Sidewalker Daily's unique position in the industry bridges the gap between brands and creators, to ensure every partnership is a win-win. Sidewalker has worked on campaigns for Jetsetter (A Tripadvisor Company), Four Seasons and the Costa Rica Tourism Board, to name a few. In this podcast, expect to learn about all things working with brands, being an influencer, influencer marketing, media kits, pitching to brands and much more! Meet Your Host, Nina Zadeh - Co-founder, Nina received her MBA in marketing from Fordham University and has a B.A. in Communications and Economics from Boston College.

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August 27, 202610 min

The Brands I'd Pitch Right Now! #307

If you’re serious about making money as a content creator, stop blindly pitching brands and start looking for companies that are actively hiring creators and already have a budget. In this episode, Nina from Sidewalker Daily breaks down real paid brand deals and UGC opportunities we found for The Paid Creator, including a paid pet creator campaign, a $10,000 Destination Ann Arbor tourism campaign, a Just Dance casting for creators ages 50–70, and a $3,500 Home Chef opportunity for food creators. These opportunities are also proof that you don’t have to limit yourself to brands perfectly aligned with your niche. There are paid creator opportunities across travel, beauty, wellness, fashion, food, lifestyle, parenting, pets, UGC and more. The key is finding opportunities where your content, audience, experience or perspective makes sense for the campaign. 💻 Free Brand Deals Training: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/brand-deals-training/ 🤩 Ready To Level Up? Speak with Our Success Manager: https://calendly.com/sidewalkerdailyteam/discovery 👉 Book A Call: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/coaching-influencers-creators/ 🌟 Best-Selling Pitching to Brands Mastercourse: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/ptbm/ 🎁 Free Gift For Influencers & Creators: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/influencer-business-resources/ 🛒 Shop our Amazon Store 🛒: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sidewalkerdaily ⚡️Paid Creator Opportunities: https://thepaidcreator.substack.com/ This episode can also been seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LRs41m4Of2Q

August 20, 202610 min

Advice I'd Give You If I Wasn't Afraid to Hurt Your Feelings #306

After 10+ years in the creator economy, working on both the brand side and with creators inside the Sidewalker Daily community, there are a few things I wish more content creators were willing to hear. Sometimes you're not actually stuck. You're avoiding the uncomfortable thing you already know you need to do. Maybe you've taken all the courses but haven't implemented what you've learned. Maybe you're blaming the algorithm instead of asking whether your content is actually worth watching or sharing. Maybe you're consuming way more content than you're creating. Or maybe you're waiting for your dream brand partnership to magically land in your inbox instead of introducing yourself and pitching the brand. In this episode, I'm sharing some big sister advice for creators that I might normally soften a little. We're talking about getting out of the learning trap, creating better content, letting go of other people's approval, taking accountability for your creator business, and actually taking action toward the opportunities you want. Because learning is great, manifesting is great, and planning is great. But eventually, you have to do the uncomfortable work. 💻 Free Brand Deals Training: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/brand-deals-training/ 🤩 Ready To Level Up? Speak with Our Success Manager: https://calendly.com/sidewalkerdailyteam/discovery 👉 Book A Call: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/coaching-influencers-creators/ 🌟 Best-Selling Pitching to Brands Mastercourse: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/ptbm/ 🎁 Free Gift For Influencers & Creators: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/influencer-business-resources/ 🛒 Shop our Amazon Store 🛒: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sidewalkerdaily ⚡️Paid Creator Opportunities: https://thepaidcreator.substack.com/ This episode can also been seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zCJ9q5UulPk

August 13, 20268 min

Why Creators Should Attend Live Events #305

If you've been feeling stuck in your creator business, attending a live creator event might be the investment that changes everything. In this episode, Nina Zadeh from Sidewalker Daily shares why conferences, creator festivals, and networking events have become a key part of her business strategy. From meeting brands face-to-face and building lasting creator friendships to learning from industry leaders and creating fresh content, you'll discover why getting in the room can create opportunities that simply don't happen online. Whether you're a content creator, influencer, UGC creator, blogger, or entrepreneur, this episode will help you see why investing in live events can pay dividends long after the event ends. 🎟️ Nina is an official Create & Cultivate Festival Ambassador! Create & Cultivate Festival is the world's largest festival for women in business, bringing together founders, executives, creators, and leaders shaping what's next. Expect two days of inspiring speakers, meaningful networking, brand activations, and conversations that can help move your career forward. ✨ Get 20% OFF Student, General Admission, and VIP Tickets with code NINAZA20 (Golden Ticket not included). 🎫 Grab your ticket here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival-tickets 💻 Free Brand Deals Training: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/brand-deals-training/ 🤩 Ready To Level Up? Speak with Our Success Manager: https://calendly.com/sidewalkerdailyteam/discovery 👉 Book A Call: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/coaching-influencers-creators/ 🌟 Best-Selling Pitching to Brands Mastercourse: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/ptbm/ 🎁 Free Gift For Influencers & Creators: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/influencer-business-resources/ 🛒 Shop our Amazon Store 🛒: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sidewalkerdaily ⚡️Paid Creator Opportunities: https://thepaidcreator.substack.com/ This episode can also been seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YTVu8NQrVkQ

August 6, 202611 min

What Every New Creator Should Invest In #304

Create & Cultivate Festival is the world's largest festival for women in business, bringing together founders, executives, creators, and leaders shaping what's next. Expect two days of inspiring speakers, meaningful networking, brand activations, and conversations that can help move your career forward. ✨ Get 20% OFF Student, General Admission, and VIP Tickets with code NINAZA20 (Golden Ticket not included). 🎫 Grab your ticket here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival-tickets As a creator, it's easy to think you need expensive cameras, fancy gear, or every new productivity app to succeed. But that's usually not what moves your business forward. In this episode, I'll walk you through the investments that have generated the biggest return for our business and the ones I believe every new creator should prioritize first. From creator education and media kits to networking events, Substack, audio gear, and building a team, I'll share what actually helps you land more brand deals and grow a profitable creator business. If you're serious about becoming a full-time creator, this episode will help you make smarter decisions with your money and avoid wasting it on things you simply don't need yet. 💻 Free Brand Deals Training: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/brand-deals-training/ 🤩 Ready To Level Up? Speak with Our Success Manager: https://calendly.com/sidewalkerdailyteam/discovery 👉 Book A Call: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/coaching-influencers-creators/ 🌟 Best-Selling Pitching to Brands Mastercourse: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/ptbm/ 🎁 Free Gift For Influencers & Creators: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/influencer-business-resources/ 🛒 Shop our Amazon Store 🛒: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sidewalkerdaily ⚡️Paid Creator Opportunities: https://thepaidcreator.substack.com/ This episode can also been seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pLYycsVp1XA

July 30, 202614 min

How to Get Brands to Reach Out to You #303

If you're tired of constantly pitching brands and wondering how to get brands to reach out to you, this episode is for you. While pitching should always be part of your strategy, there are practical ways to increase your inbound opportunities so brands start finding you. In this episode, Nina from Sidewalker Daily shares the exact profile, SEO, and content strategies that make creators more discoverable to brands, whether you're on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, or a blog. You'll learn how to optimize your content with searchable keywords, position your profile as brand-ready, create content that naturally attracts sponsorships, and make it incredibly easy for companies to contact you. Whether you're a UGC creator, influencer, content creator, or small business owner, these strategies can help you generate more inbound brand partnerships without relying solely on cold outreach. 💻 Free Brand Deals Training: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/brand-deals-training/ 🤩 Ready To Level Up? Speak with Our Success Manager: https://calendly.com/sidewalkerdailyteam/discovery 👉 Book A Call: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/coaching-influencers-creators/ 😄 Resources: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/influencer-business-resources/ Events: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/events/ 🌟 Best-Selling Pitching to Brands Mastercourse: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/ptbm/ 🎁 Free Gift For Influencers & Creators: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/influencer-business-resources/ 🛒 Shop our Amazon Store 🛒: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sidewalkerdaily ⚡️Paid Creator Opportunities: https://thepaidcreator.substack.com/ This episode can also been seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JN2Cp4v0AkU

July 23, 202615 min

How to Create Your Own Instagram Reels Challenge to Grow Faster! #302

If you've been wondering whether you need to join someone else's Instagram challenge to stay consistent, the answer is no. In this episode, Nina Zadeh from Sidewalker Daily shares exactly how to create your own Instagram Reels challenge so you can post consistently, increase your reach, improve your content strategy, and even create content that attracts future brand partnerships. You'll learn why a 15-day challenge can be more effective than longer challenges, how to strategically plan your Reels, repurpose content, create affiliate-focused videos, and use your challenge to get noticed by your dream brands. Whether you're an influencer, UGC creator, content creator, or aspiring influencer, this framework will help you build momentum without waiting for someone else to keep you accountable. 💻 Free Brand Deals Training: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/brand-deals-training/ 🤩 Ready To Level Up? Speak with Our Success Manager: https://calendly.com/sidewalkerdailyteam/discovery 👉 Book A Call: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/coaching-influencers-creators/ 🌟 Best-Selling Pitching to Brands Mastercourse: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/ptbm/ 🎁 Free Gift For Influencers & Creators: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/influencer-business-resources/ 🛒 Shop our Amazon Store 🛒: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sidewalkerdaily ⚡️Paid Creator Opportunities: https://thepaidcreator.substack.com/ This episode can also been seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NDGXg0YFJgo

July 16, 20261 hr 11 min

How SEO Really Works for Creators in 2026 | Nina Clapperton Breaks It Down

You Can Follow Nina Clapperton Here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninaclapperton/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ninaclapperton Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ninaclapperton Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nina.clapperton/ SEO for Bloggers FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/seofortravelbloggers/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sheknowsseo Website: https://sheknowsseo.co/ Signature Programs: Profitable Part-Time Blogger: https://sidewalkerdaily--ninaclapperton.thrivecart.com/profitable-part-time-blogger-cad/ GPT Sales System: https://sidewalkerdaily--ninaclapperton.thrivecart.com/gptsalessystem/ In this episode of Influencer Confidential, I sit down with Nina Clapperton, founder of She Knows SEO, someone who has completely redefined what it means to build a search-powered business. After years of doing everything “right” and earning $0, Nina shifted her approach, rebuilt her strategy around audience intent, and scaled her blog into a multi–five-figure business. Today, she teaches creators how to do the same using SEO and AI-driven search in a way that actually makes sense. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right with your content but still not seeing results, this episode might shift your perspective. We get into what’s actually working right now, and it’s probably not what you’ve been told. A lot of creators are focusing on the wrong things, and it’s keeping them stuck. I also share how a more intentional approach to content changed everything for me. It’s not about doing more, it’s about understanding what people actually need and creating content that meets them there. If you want to build something sustainable (not just go viral for a moment), you’ll want to listen to this one. Want to join our Inner Circle? Email: team@sidewalkerdaily.com to learn more! This episode can be seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5VloH54kiAU

July 9, 202612 min

How to Get Brands to Come to You (Without Waiting Around!) #301

Most creators think the only way to land brand deals is by constantly pitching. While pitching is essential, there's another strategy that many creators overlook: making brands come to YOU. In this episode, Nina from Sidewalker Daily shares practical strategies to increase your visibility, become more discoverable, and position yourself as the creator brands already want to hire. From optimizing your content for search to creating "brand-bait" content, improving your creator profile, building industry relationships, and using LinkedIn strategically, you'll learn how to attract more inbound brand partnership opportunities while continuing your outreach efforts. If you're an influencer, UGC creator, content creator, or entrepreneur looking to land more paid brand collaborations, negotiate from a stronger position, and grow your creator business, this episode is packed with actionable advice you can implement today. 💻 Free Brand Deals Training: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/brand-deals-training/ 🤩 Ready To Level Up? Speak with Our Success Manager: https://calendly.com/sidewalkerdailyteam/discovery 👉 Book A Call: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/coaching-influencers-creators/ 🌟 Best-Selling Pitching to Brands Mastercourse: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/ptbm/ 🎁 Free Gift For Influencers & Creators: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/influencer-business-resources/ 🛒 Shop our Amazon Store 🛒: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sidewalkerdaily ⚡️Paid Creator Opportunities: https://thepaidcreator.substack.com/ This episode can also been seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0ZnL4JHIvYQ

July 2, 202615 min

The Types of Creators Getting Brand Deals Right Now (It’s Not What You Think!) #300

Everyone asks the same question: "What's the best niche to make money with brand deals?" The answer probably isn't what you think. In this episode, Nina shares the six types of creators consistently landing paid brand deals today. From results-driven creators and platform specialists to consistent pitchers and systems builders, you'll learn the habits and strategies that separate creators who consistently monetize from those who stay stuck waiting for opportunities. If you're serious about growing your creator business, landing sponsorships, and building a sustainable income, this is the mindset shift you need. 💻 Free Brand Deals Training: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/brand-deals-training/ 🤩 Ready To Level Up? Speak with Our Success Manager: https://calendly.com/sidewalkerdailyteam/discovery 👉 Book A Call: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/coaching-influencers-creators/ 🌟 Best-Selling Pitching to Brands Mastercourse: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/ptbm/ 🎁 Free Gift For Influencers & Creators: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/influencer-business-resources/ 🛒 Shop our Amazon Store 🛒: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sidewalkerdaily ⚡️Paid Creator Opportunities: https://thepaidcreator.substack.com/ This episode can also been seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/f39hRjNwPKw

June 25, 202641 min

How to Get Signed & Scale as a Creator | Talent Manager Ali Grant Explains

You Can Follow Ali Here: Instagram: @aligrant https://www.instagram.com/aligrant/ TikTok: @aligrnt https://www.tiktok.com/@aligrnt Website: http://thedigitaldept.com In this episode of Influencer Confidential, I sit down with Ali Grant, a true OG in the creator space who has quite literally grown alongside the industry. From the early days of blogging and gifting campaigns to now managing hundreds of creators and building a full-scale talent management company, Ali shares a behind-the-scenes look at how the creator economy has evolved and where it’s headed next. We get into what it actually takes to stand out today, why following count isn’t the golden ticket people think it is, and how creators can start thinking more like business owners if they want to scale. We also dive into the realities of talent management, what managers are *really* looking for when signing creators, the common mistakes happening in negotiations and contracts, and how creators can position themselves to land bigger, more strategic opportunities. Plus, we unpack the shifting landscape of brand deals, from the rise of usage-based pricing to why long-term partnerships aren’t as common as they once were. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the curtain, from both the brand and talent side, this conversation is full of insights that might just change how you approach your next deal. 💻 Free Brand Deals Training: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/brand-deals-training/ 🤩 Ready To Level Up? Speak with Our Success Manager: https://calendly.com/sidewalkerdailyteam/discovery 👉 Book A Call: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/coaching-influencers-creators/ 🌟 Best-Selling Pitching to Brands Mastercourse: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/ptbm/ 🎁 Free Gift For Influencers & Creators: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/influencer-business-resources/ 🛒 Shop our Amazon Store 🛒: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sidewalkerdaily ⚡️Paid Creator Opportunities: https://thepaidcreator.substack.com/ This episode can also been seen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_GsZreUUf4s