Category: People First

I recently heard about a campaign that I want to apply to, but I don’t see it listed on the Campaigns page. Why doesn’t it appear?

Certain campaigns on the Creator Portal may not be visible to everyone. The reason for this is because the campaign sponsor may be limiting the applicant pool to those that belong to a specific state or region, age, race, or gender.

I believe I’m a fit for the campaign, yet I’m still experiencing issues regarding my application. Who can I speak to regarding this issue?

If you have concerns about your application, please contact a People First Representative.

I applied to a campaign and was rejected. Why?

Being rejected is hard, but don’t take it personally! Oftentimes, users are rejected from campaigns because the sponsor is looking for users from a specific demographic, or that make certain types of content. People First is unable to partner with users that have explicit content on their account, use crude humor, or make content that is not agreeable with our campaign sponsor. Additionally, the Creator Portal flags users to us that have a large percentage of inauthentic followers and/or engagements. It’s important to People First and our sponsors that our creators maintain genuine followings. Please keep in mind that being rejected from a campaign is not a sign that you should not apply to more!

I have been rejected from several campaigns. Why?

If you have found that you are being rejected from several campaigns, it’s possible that there is an issue related to your profile. People First is unable to partner with users that have explicit content on their account, use crude humor, or make content that is not agreeable with our campaign sponsor. Additionally, the Creator Portal flags users to us that have a large percentage of inauthentic followers and/or engagements. It’s important to People First and our sponsors that our users maintain genuine followings.

I am no longer interested in the campaign that I applied/approved to. What should I do?

If you applied to a campaign, but later decided it is not a match, users have the option to cancel their participation. To do this, click the campaign tile. Under “Application Under Review” you will see the option to hit “Cancel Participation”.

I’m having trouble applying to a campaign. Why?

The Creator Portal limits users to 8 pending applications at one time. In other words, if you recently applied to 8 campaigns, you won’t be able to apply to more until you have been approved/rejected from at least one. 


I haven’t applied to 8 campaigns but still unable to apply. Why?

Certain campaigns on the Creator Portal are not visible to everyone. The reason for this is because the campaign may be sourcing creators that live within a specific state or region, or belong to a specific age group. Additionally, some campaigns may only be interested in working with creators that are of certain gender, race, or ethnicity.

I accidentally withdrew my application from a campaign. How can I reapply?

To re-apply to a campaign, go to the “Campaigns” page and click the “History” tab. Here you will see the option to re-apply to a campaign. Users are unable to re-apply to campaigns that they were previously rejected for.

While browsing the People First Creator Portal, general questions regarding the Creator Portal experience may arise. Below are common questions we receive regarding general assistance.

What is People First?

• People First is a digital marketing agency that specializes in micro-influencer recruitment. In other words, our agency recruits everyday social media users to participate in impactful campaign opportunities online. Our agency partners with a variety of different sponsors, ranging from political advocacy groups, to nonprofit organizations, to well-known commercial brands. Our job is to find trusted messengers and invite you to share your stories in contribution to the campaign

Why does People First specialize in microinfluencers?

• People First understands that when it comes to information, people these days often refer to their peers for advice, guidance, and recommendations. Hence why so many well-known commercial brands, political advocacy groups, and nonprofit organizations look to People First and our community to help spread the word when it comes to advocating for or against key causes, issues, and candidates.

What is the Creator Portal?

• The Creator Portal is People First’s one-stop shop for users interested in participating in paid social media opportunities. Browse our complete selection of available partnerships, apply to those that you see fit, and submit your drafted content — all in one place! Once you’ve submitted your draft content, you can chat with a People First representative regarding your submission and we will provide 1:1 feedback to help you improve your content. If everything looks great, your submission is sent to our sponsor(s) for final approval. Once we’ve received the green light, we’ll provide all of the instructions for posting on your preferred social media account. Once you’ve successfully completed the partnership, you can expect to receive payment within 10-15 business days after sharing the link to your live content.

What are the requirements for applying to a campaign on the Creator Portal?

• People First tends to partner with users that have at least 1,000 followers on their preferred social media platform; however, this requirement can vary slightly depending on the campaign. Additionally, we like to see that you maintain a strong number of genuine engagements with each of your posts. Lastly, users that apply to our campaigns must be willing to set their preferred social media account(s) to public, so that we can review your profile and gauge the performance of the campaign. 

What are the requirements after publishing content with the Creator Portal?

Users that partner with People First on any of our paid partnership opportunities are required to:

• Ensure their social media account(s) is set to public.
• Disable the “Hide Like” or “Restrict Comments” feature on their post with People First.
• Keep their content live and shareable on their social media account for a minimum duration of 1 year, unless otherwise previously agreed upon. Those that fail to comply with these 3 requirements are likely to experience payment delays. For more information on our terms and conditions, see here.

Please note this list is not campaign-specific, as there may be additional posting requirements for each individual campaign. These directions will be sent to users upon content approval.

I am not based in the United States, do I still qualify to apply to campaigns at People First?

• Unfortunately, People First is only able to partner with users that are based in the U.S.. Users located outside of the U.S. are likely to receive campaign rejections and/or payment delays.

How do I refer someone to the Creator Portal?

• People First is constantly looking to partner with your friends and family to join our campaigns. What’s more is that you’ll get paid for helping us grow! If you know something that may be a good fit for one of our partnerships, go to My Profile and select “Referral Dashboard.” Here, a custom referral link will be generated, which can be shared across your group chats, Facebook groups, or any other communities that you’re apart of. There is no limit to how many referrals you can submit, so use this tool to make some extra cash!

How do I receive the referral bonus?

• If you’ve invited someone to join the Creator Portal using your custom referral link, you’ll be compensated when your referee participates in their first campaign! Your bonus will be automatically transferred to your Payout Center within 10-15 days after your referee has published their live content.

What is a Pre-Apply Campaign?

• After People First has launched a new campaign, we will make the opportunity visible on the Creator Portal. Please note that wait times for approval can typically last longer, but those that pre-apply will be the first to considered for the opportunity. You’ll receive notice via email or SMS if your application was approved and we’re ready for you to review the campaign’s creative guidelines & requirements.

How do I reset my password?

• If you’d like to change your password, select the settings in the drop down menu under your profile avatar. Choose password and enter your current password & new password.

How do I delete my account?

If you have a question regarding account deletion, you should email [email protected] to speak with a member of our team.

How can I improve my profile to be accepted to more campaigns?

• People First partners with a wide variety of well-known commercial brands, nonprofit organizations, and political advocacy groups that wish to partner with everyday social media users. We believe that you know your audience best, and can speak on behalf of certain causes, issues, or candidates like no other. The best partners for our campaigns are those that have a true authentic following, contain a high ratio of organic content, and space out paid partnerships on your profile. We value micro-influencers and offer competitive rates no matter your following size!

Are there additional paid opportunities on the Creator Portal?

• Yes! People First works with thousands of talented individuals, and we may seek your help to create content for use outside our paid partnership opportunities. Alternatively, we may invite users to participate in paid surveys and focus groups. Keep an eye on your email for these opportunities, as they tend to fill up quickly.

I am an agent and would like to represent my talent on the Creator Portal.

Currently we do not have a separate login feature for agents or agencies to upload their talent rosters to the Creator Portal. If you would like to submit your clients for review, we will happily accept it at [email protected]

While browsing the People First Creator Portal, questions may arise regarding your campaign’s content progress. Below you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked most about the process.

How long will it typically take to determine if my application for a campaign has been approved?

• Wait times for approvals are subject to vary. In most cases, your application will be reviewed within 3 business days, but certain campaigns may require multiple rounds of approval. In these cases, campaign approval may take anywhere from 1-2 weeks. To find out how long it will take for your application to be reviewed, continue to chat with a People First Representative and we can provide you with a better estimate of when you can expect to hear back.

How long will it take for my draft content to be reviewed?

• After you submit a draft of your content through the Creator Portal, it will undergo multiple rounds of review before it will be approved and sent back to the user. Please expect to wait 1-2 weeks for an update. We are aware that sometimes campaign sponsors will need more time to review content, and we will keep you posted if the wait time is longer than usual. To find out how long it will take for your content to be reviewed, continue to chat with a People First Representative and we can provide a better estimate of when you can expect to hear back.

I received an email that my content has been approved. How do I review my posting instructions?

• If you’ve received notice that your content has been approved, be sure to review your posting instructions by clicking the campaign tile and opening up the chat with your People First Representative. Here, you will be able to find your approved caption and photo/video, as well as any additional steps needed for posting. Please note that there may have been modifications made to your caption, and we ask that you do not make changes to this caption after it has been approved. Additionally, some users will be approved to go live, but only after they have made minor edits to the photo or video. We ask that you make these changes first, and speak to your People First Representative if you’re unsure whether the edits are approved or need to undergo an additional rounds of approval. Failure to comply with the posting instructions may result in payment delays.

Does People First limit the number of campaigns I can apply to?

• Yes, People First limits users to applying to 4 campaigns at any given time. The reason for this measure is because it allows our team the ability to process applications faster, and so that users can receive confirmation sooner about whether they are able to participate in the campaign. We hope that you take the time read the campaign description to determine of the opportunity is the right fit for you before applying. Additionally, we limit the number of applications so that users can space out their paid partnership opportunities on their feed, as our sponsors tend to value a high ratio of organic content!

I was approved for a campaign, but how soon do I need to submit my draft content?

• Users that have been approved for campaigns are typically not asked to submit content by a specific deadline. People First knows that our community is busy, and we don’t want to rush perfection! Instead, we ask that you submit your content as soon as possible, with an optimal timeline of submitting content within 1 week of being approved. If you need an extension, just let us know! We will send reminders to submit content, just so the campaign doesn’t fall off your radar. Please note that failure to submit content within a reasonable time frame may result in being removed from the campaign. If you’re unsure when the campaign will officially close, please continue to speak to a People First Representative.

I have a question regarding my payout. Who can I get in touch with?

If you have a question regarding one of your payouts, you should email [email protected] to speak with a member of our finance team.

I am experiencing an issue with my campaign. Who can I get in touch with?

If you have a question regarding your submission, you’ll have the ability to chat with a People First Representative after you have submitted your draft content. If you need assistance immediately, you can contact the Director of Organizing at [email protected]

While browsing the People First Creator Portal, questions may arise regarding your payout. Below you’ll find answers we get asked the most:

Can payments be made to users based outside the United States?

People First does not typically offer campaigns that recruit creators from outside the United States. Therefore, it is best to confirm with your People First representative that you are indeed eligible to participate if you do not currently live in the US. 

How can I receive payment if I do not have an SSN? 

If you do not have a SSN (or EIN or ITIN), we will not be able to release payment to you directly on our platform. 

Instead, you will need to be issued payment from the People First finance team after the partnership has been completed. The payment will be issued via Dots and you will be notified via Email or SMS when it’s ready to be collected. 

Please note that anyone without an SSN (or EIN or ITIN) is unable to collect more than $600 in a calendar year. 

What is Dots?

Dots is People First’s preferred payment platform. We use their API in conjunction with our website, the Creator Portal, so that payments to creators can be made seamlessly and easily. All you need is a phone number and to select where you’d like your payment to be sent. 

Is Dots secure? 

The short answer is yes. When deciding which payment platform to use, we selected Dots because they prioritize security above all else. To learn more about how they’re handling and storing sensitive data, see here. 

How is my payment issued? 

Users on the Creator Portal are encouraged to update their payment information in the Payout Center. Here you will be prompted to enter your OTP code (sent to you via SMS or email). Then, you’ll be able to select one out of four different payment destinations by entering the credentials associated with your account.  

You can choose to enter your Venmo, Paypal, Cashapp, or Bank Account information. 

Please note you are required to enter your SSN, as this is required by law for identity verification. People First does not have access to this information. 

Once this information is saved on the Creator Portal, you will have successfully integrated your account with Dots. Users can even sign into their own Dots account at any time by heading to dots.dev and signing with the phone number associated with your Creator Portal account.

Why am I not receiving the OTP code? 

The OTP code is sent directly to the Email and SMS that’s saved on the Creator Portal. 

If you aren’t receiving a text message, please troubleshoot using any of the following methods:

• Be sure that your Creator Portal account accurately reflects your preferred email address and phone number. 
• VOIP numbers are restricted. This includes Google Voice numbers, or any other virtual phone numbers. 
• Restart your phone
• Check that you have adequate cell service
• Check for messages marked as spam. Some new phones may block automated messages that it thinks are spam
• Disable and enable 5G service
• Ensure that you are not on a roaming cell network. SMS messages often cannot be delivered while roaming

If you’re still unable to generate your OTP code, please contact [email protected] for assistance. 

How soon will I receive my payment? 

Payments are issued 10-15 business days following your post date. Payments that exceed $1500 may require a full 30 business days to be processed. 

Please note we can only issue payment if all of the posting directions have been accurately followed. This is included, but not limited to:

• Likes must be visible for reporting purposes
• Comment section cannot be restricted
• The paid partner has been adequately disclosed 
• Only the approved assets have been published 

I am a domestic creator with an international bank account. How can I proceed with payment?

Users who only have bank accounts outside the United States must contact [email protected] to troubleshoot payment solutions. 

How is my rate for a campaign determined?

Your campaign rate is determined by a number of different factors. We consider the campaign’s overall budget, the size of your Instagram following, and the average number of engagements your Instagram posts typically receive. This means the rates we offer creators will vary. 

If you would like to discuss your rate with a People First representative, or provide any context as to why you’re negotiating a different rate, you can do so by clicking the campaign tile and selecting “Questions? Chat Now”. 

How will I know if my negotiated rate has been accepted? 

All users have the option to negotiate their suggested rate prior to submitting their application. In fact, all users are encouraged to share why you’re suggesting a different rate for the partnership using the “Questions? Chat Now” option. This insight helps as we review your application. 

If your negotiated rate has been accepted, you will receive an Email or SMS verification that your application has been approved and you’re ready to start making content! 

Alternatively, you may receive an Email or SMS notification from a People First representative if we’d like to counter your rate. If a new agreement regarding your rate can be made, your People First representative will override the payment agreement and your application will be approved.

To gather your approved rate for the partnership, click the campaign tile. Your rate is visible beneath the campaign’s description. 

How can I negotiate my rate after I have been accepted to the campaign? 

People First does not typically negotiate rates after you have been accepted for a campaign. If you would like to withdraw from the campaign, you can do so by clicking “Cancel Participation” under your campaign progress bar.

I need to contact someone regarding a payment inquiry. 

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions. We kindly ask that you provide any context to your situation, including your campaign name, date you expected to receive payment, and any other information that you think would be helpful for us to know.