For Those Who Shape Culture | MarketPryce
How Student-Athletes Can Get More NIL Deals in 2026 (4 Steps That Work)
If you want more NIL deals, here’s the truth:
Most athletes are not losing because they are “too small.”
They’re losing because their pitch has no proof.
I’ve helped run 10,000+ NIL deals for brands like Nike, Gopuff, and Dr. Squatch. The athletes who consistently get paid do one thing differently.
They create proof first, then pitch.
This blog breaks down the exact 4-step playbook I’d use if I were a student-athlete starting from zero today.
TL;DR
To get more NIL deals:
- Start with products you already buy
- Post about them organically (for free)
- Track the results and screenshot the proof
- Pitch brands with evidence and consistency, not a generic ask
Why most athletes struggle to get NIL deals
Brands get hit with the same message all day:
“Hey, can I get a NIL deal?”
That request forces the brand to take all the risk. They have no idea if you can create content people watch, trust, or act on.
Your job is to remove doubt.
When you show proof that you can drive attention, you stop being “another DM” and become a creator who can help them hit a goal.
What counts as “proof” for NIL
Proof is anything that shows real audience response, especially signals that a brand can reuse later.
Examples:
- Views (obvious, but not enough alone)
- Saves (strong buying intent signal)
- Shares (distribution signal)
- Comments (engagement signal)
- Reply DMs like “where’d you get that?”
- Story link clicks (if you have them)
- Profile visits after the post
You don’t need perfect analytics. You need credible signals.
Now let’s get into the playbook.
Step 1: Look at products you already own
Start with the easiest win: products you already buy and actually use.
Check:
- your bathroom counter
- your gym bag
- your pantry
- your Amazon history
- Target receipts
If you spend your own money on it, you are already a real customer.
That matters because your audience can tell when you’re forcing it.
Why this works
- You sound natural, not scripted
- Your recommendation feels believable
- You create “borrowed trust” for the brand because it feels like a real endorsement
Pick 3 brands you’d be proud to post about without getting paid.
That list becomes your first target list.
Step 2: Post about it for free
Yes, for free.
This is the part most athletes skip, and it’s why they stay stuck.
Make one simple post tagging the brand. Then post again later that week.
What to post
Keep it human. Selfie-style. FaceTime energy.
Try formats like:
- “I keep rebuying this because…”
- “This is the one thing I never travel without”
- “What changed after I started using this”
- “If you’re an athlete, this matters because…”
Talk like you would to a teammate. Not like a commercial.
Bonus points
Post more than once.
One post can be luck.
Two or three posts looks like consistency.
Brands are allergic to one-off creators. They want reliability.
Step 3: Track the numbers, then use them in outreach
This is where you separate yourself from 95% of athletes.
After each post, capture:
- views
- saves
- comments
- shares
- any DMs asking about the product
Take screenshots and drop them into a folder called PROOF.
Now when you reach out, you are not pitching “potential.”
You are pitching evidence.
A DM template that actually works
Use this:
“Hey [Brand], I’m a student-athlete and I’ve posted about [product] 3 times this week. I averaged [X] views and [Y] engagements, plus got [Z] DMs asking where to buy. If you’re running creator campaigns right now, I’d love to make more content like this for you.”
Why it works:
- it shows you already create value
- it makes the brand’s job easier
- it frames you as a creator, not a sponsor beggar
If they say “not right now,” you still won.
Now you’re on their radar with proof attached.
Step 4: Engage with the brand to stay top of mind
This is the long game that creates short game results.
Before you pitch, become familiar.
For 2 weeks:
- like their posts
- leave real comments (specific, not generic)
- reply to Stories when you actually have something to say
Why this works
Marketing teams notice repeat names.
Familiarity reduces friction.
So when your outreach hits, it lands as:
“Oh yeah, I’ve seen them.”
Not:
“Who is this?”
The mindset shift that changes everything
Athletes don’t get NIL deals because they ask.
They get deals because they prove they can drive outcomes.
You don’t need a massive following to do this. You need:
- real product fit
- consistent content
- proof screenshots
- simple outreach with evidence
Do that for 30 days and you become the obvious partner when timing and budget line up.
FAQ
How can student-athletes get NIL deals without a big following?
By creating content that performs and showing proof (views, saves, shares, comments, DMs). Many brands care more about content quality and trust than follower count.
Should I post for free before asking for NIL deals?
Yes. A few organic posts create credibility and proof. That proof makes your outreach far more compelling.
What should I post to get NIL deals?
Post about products you already use, explain why you use them, what changed for you, and show the product naturally in your daily routine.
What metrics do brands care about in NIL deals?
Views matter, but saves, shares, comments, and DMs are stronger signals of trust and intent. Anything measurable helps.
How do I DM a brand for a NIL deal?
Lead with proof. Mention how many times you posted, your average performance, and that you can create more content like it.
Want brands to come to you instead of you chasing them?
That’s the goal.
MarketPryce helps student-athletes get matched with brands running real campaigns and gives brands a way to scale athlete creator content.
If you’re an athlete, build your proof folder, then sign up to start closing more NIL deals.
