How to Pitch Brands (with Templates)
Let’s be real for a second. There is nothing—and I mean nothing—more frustrating than spending two hours researching a brand, finding the marketing manager’s email, crafting what you think is a perfect pitch, hitting send… and hearing absolutely nothing back.
Radio silence.
You start wondering, "Was it my subject line? Are my follower counts too low? Did I end up in the spam folder?"
Here’s the hard truth: You probably didn’t land in the spam folder. You likely landed in the "I don't have time to figure out what this person wants" pile. Marketing managers are drowning in emails. If your pitch doesn't immediately scream value, it’s getting archived.
But don't worry. We’re going to fix that today. I’m going to share the exact strategies and copy-paste templates that are working right now to get replies and land deals.
The Subject Line: Your First Impression
Most creators overthink the body of the email and underthink the subject line. But if they don't open it, the rest doesn't matter.
Stop using subject lines like:
- "Collab?"
- "Sponsorship inquiry"
- "I love your brand!"
These scream "spam" or "I want free stuff." Instead, you want to be specific and professional.
Try these instead:
- "Idea for [Brand Name]'s Q1 Campaign"
- "Content partnership: [Your Name] x [Brand Name]"
- "Loved your recent launch – question about [Product]"
These show you’ve done your homework and you mean business.
Stop Leading with Your Rate Card
This is the number one mistake I see creators make. You say "Hi, I'm a creator, here is my media kit and rate card."
Imagine walking up to a stranger at a bar and saying, "Hi, I'm attractive, here is a list of expensive dates I'd like to go on." It doesn't work.
You need to build a relationship first. You need to show value before you ask for money. Your first email is about starting a conversation, not closing a transaction.
Template 1: The "Value-First" Cold Pitch
Use this when you have a specific idea for a brand you've never spoken to.
Subject: Content idea for [Brand Name]
Hi [Name],
I've been using [Product Name] for the last few months and absolutely love it—specifically how it helps with [Specific Benefit].
I’m a content creator in the [Your Niche] space, and I noticed you're currently promoting [Specific Campaign/Feature]. I have an audience of [Number] highly engaged [Audience Type] who are constantly asking me about recommendations for [Product Category].
I have a concept for a [Type of Content, e.g., 60-second Reel] that demonstrates [Unique Angle]. I think it would really resonate with my audience and drive traffic to your [Campaign/Landing Page].
Do you have any budget for creator partnerships this quarter? I’d love to send over a more detailed concept.
Best, [Your Name] [Link to your social channel]
Template 2: The Warm Follow-Up
You sent the first email 5 days ago and heard nothing. Do not panic. Do not give up. Follow up.
Subject: Re: Content idea for [Brand Name]
Hi [Name],
Just bubbling this to the top of your inbox in case it got buried!
I’m still really excited about the potential of partnering with [Brand Name]. I actually just posted a video about [Related Topic] that performed really well (link here), and I think a similar style would work perfectly for your brand.
Let me know if you have 5 minutes to chat this week.
Best, [Your Name]
Template 3: The Re-Engagement
This is for when you worked with a brand 3-6 months ago, and you want to work with them again.
Subject: Follow up: [Your Name] x [Brand Name]
Hi [Name],
Hope you’re having a great start to the year!
I was just looking back at the campaign we ran in [Month], and I noticed the content is still getting views/engagement. I really enjoyed working with you and the team.
I’m currently planning my content calendar for the next few months and had a few ideas on how we could build on that initial success. Are you open to discussing a longer-term partnership for Q1?
Cheers, [Your Name]
The Secret Weapon: Follow Up
Here is the secret: Most deals happen in the follow-up.
If you send one email and quit, you are leaving money on the table. Brands are busy. A polite follow-up shows you are persistent and professional—traits they want in a partner.
And once you start landing these deals, you're going to need a way to track them so you don't drop the ball. That's where SponsorBase comes in. We built a CRM specifically for creators like you to track every pitch, every negotiation, and every payment.
Stop using messy spreadsheets and start treating your content like a business. Check out SponsorBase today and get your sponsorship pipeline organized.