# Step 1: Polish Your Profile

<a href="https://pxa.impact.com/student/activity/1576384?sid=0c0e3e5c-54c9-4435-9bee-ebcdccb7f292&#x26;sid_i=0?utm_source=app.impact.com&#x26;utm_medium=owned-platform&#x26;utm_content=crea-151&#x26;utm_campaign=help-center" class="button primary">Take the PXA course</a>

Now that you’ve signed up to impact.com, you're almost ready to apply to brands. In most cases, your marketplace application is submitted automatically upon completing [the signup checklist](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/getting-started/sign-up-as-a-partner-on-impactcom.md). While our team reviews your application, take a moment to complete your [marketplace profile](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/working-with-brands/applying-to-brands/profile-management/update-and-manage-your-public-profile.md). This is your chance to show brands who you are and the types of partnerships you're interested in.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Were you invited to impact.com by a brand?** If a brand sent you a sign-up link to their program or campaign, a marketplace application may not have been submitted for you upon completing your onboarding. You can simply start working with your partnered brand right away by [sharing tracking links, promo codes](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/getting-started/readme/im-a-creator/step-3-share-tracking-links-or-promo-codes.md), or [deliverables](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/getting-started/readme/im-a-creator/step-5-create-and-submit-your-deliverables.md). See [Understand Your Marketplace Application Status](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/working-with-brands/applying-to-brands/understand-your-marketplace-application-status.md) to confirm where you stand.
{% endhint %}

#### Here's how your profile might appear to brands in the marketplace:

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/erSCTGbNCceOARKey4Ux" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Your marketplace profile should:

* Describe your niche and audience, e.g., "budget travel creator for solo explorers"
* Be clear about the types of brands you want to work with, e.g., "seeking partnerships with sustainable skincare and organic beauty brands"
* Have a comprehensive description that includes the keywords your ideal brands would search when recruiting
* Include all your media properties and verified ownership to give brands confidence in what you have to offer

We review applications within 72 hours. Once your marketplace application is approved, we’ll send you an email. In the meantime, you can track your application status and learn how to [improve your chances of being accepted](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/working-with-brands/applying-to-brands/understand-your-marketplace-application-status.md#marketplace-application-statuses). Also make sure you've completed any tax residency information and [required tax forms](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/finance/finance-documents/electronic-tax-documents-for-partners-explained.md).

Once you’re in the marketplace, start looking for *brand programs* and *creator campaigns* to join. These partnership types work a bit differently—browse both to get a sense of the possibilities!

{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** If you’re interested in working with a brand that doesn't have a public creator campaign, apply to their program instead—it may open doors for you to work with them on a creator campaign later! Some brands only allow contracted partners to view and apply to their creator campaigns.
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.impact.com/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/getting-started/readme/im-a-creator/step-1-work-with-brands.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.