From Cold Outreach to 100K+ Views – Kosta's Year on #gifted

The Problem with Cold Outreach

Kosta has always known how to connect with an audience. The Sydney-based creator has a natural ease on camera and a community that genuinely trusts him. But early on, getting brands to notice him was a different story.

"Where I struggled early on was actually connecting with brands and agencies. I wanted an easier way to get my foot in the door, build relationships, practise my UGC skills properly, and do it without the awkward cold outreach."

– Kosta Genaris

#gifted changed that. With opportunities already on the platform, Kosta could focus on what he does best – making content that feels like him without spending hours chasing brand deals.

A Year of Real Growth

Nearly twelve months in, the numbers speak for themselves. Kosta has grown by over 300K followers since joining #gifted, but he's quick to point out it's not just about the follower count.

"I've found a better rhythm between branded content and everyday content so it doesn't feel like I'm switching personalities. The biggest shift is that I'm not chasing polished 'pretty UGC' anymore. If I'm doing a collab now, I make sure it's either a real unboxing or experience that feels natural, or I turn it into a skit that matches my normal style."

– Kosta Genaris

His biggest collab win? A series of campaigns with Belkin that racked up over 100K views, strong click-throughs, and a steady stream of saves and shares – the kind of engagement that tells you content is actually landing. He's now on his fifth campaign with them, a testament to what happens when brands and creators find their match.

Swipe Smart, Not Often

Kosta's approach to the platform has evolved. In the beginning, he swiped on everything, using every collab as a chance to practise and get reps in. Now, with a much larger audience, he's more selective.

"If I can't genuinely build the product into my content in a way that feels natural, I won't take it. I'm always thinking about whether it will land with my audience and whether I can talk about it in a way that doesn't feel forced."

– Kosta Genaris

It's a mindset shift that's paid off, and one that any creator can apply, no matter where they are in their journey.

What Actually Gets You Selected

For creators wondering why some applications get picked and others don't, Kosta's answer is simple: brands aren't just looking at your follower count. They're looking at your community.

"I haven't just grown follower numbers, I've nurtured a community that actually engages, trusts me, and interacts with what I post. Brands can see that straight away through the comments, the saves, the shares, and the way my audience speaks to me like they know me."

– Kosta Genaris

There's also something to be said for standing out in your niche. As one of a relatively small number of Aussie dad creators consistently producing content that both performs and feels real, Kosta has carved out a lane that's hard to replicate, and brands have taken notice.

Authenticity Builds Everything

One of the biggest shifts in Kosta's content over the past year has been letting go of the idea that branded content needs to look perfect. That authenticity doesn't just make better content – it builds trust. And trust, Kosta has learned, is what actually grows your reach.

At first, he didn't think his audience would care about the products he recommended. But over time, people started messaging him asking where to buy things, what he genuinely thought, and whether something was worth it. That kind of word-of-mouth brings new followers in.

"I don't promote anything I don't believe in, and my audience knows that, so it makes recommendations feel real rather than salesy."

– Kosta Genaris

The same principle applies to working with brands. Kosta has built ongoing relationships with several agencies he first connected with on #gifted, most notably Belkin, where he's currently working on his fifth campaign. That kind of repeat work doesn't happen by accident. It happens when you show up consistently, deliver quality, and treat every collaboration like it matters.