Why Brands Love Working Directly with Unmanaged Influencers

New York City-based influencer Piper Phillips (@pipercassidyphillips) recently shared insights into her work, revealing a surprising trend. Many brands, she says, prefer to work directly with influencers who don't have managers. "Every single week, brands I work with tell me they love working with me because I don't have a manager," Phillips shared in a recent video. This preference, she explains, stems from the efficiency and direct communication it allows. "There's no middleman," she stated, comparing the process with a manager to a game of telephone. Phillips' video, uploaded on May 27th, 2025, has already generated significant views and engagement, highlighting the relevance of her observations to the influencer marketing community. Her advice is particularly useful for smaller influencers starting out, demonstrating that self-management can be a significant advantage in building brand relationships and securing collaborations.