How to pitch brands: reaching out for a collaboration

A good pitch is short, personal and has an idea: it tells the brand why your audience in particular fits its product and what you are specifically proposing. Mass emails asking “Are you interested in a collaboration?”, on the other hand, almost always end up in the trash.

Before you reach out to a brand

The most important part of a pitch happens before you write it. Check whether the brand really fits you: do you use the product yourself, or would you? Does the brand appeal to your audience? Does it already work with creators, and if so, in which formats? Look at its channels, its latest campaigns and its tone. Find out who is responsible for collaborations instead of writing to a general address. If you do this groundwork, you automatically write a better pitch, because you have something specific to say.

How a good pitch is structured

A pitch doesn’t need a full page, just a few paragraphs. Start with one sentence on why you are writing to this particular brand. Then briefly introduce yourself: topic, platform, audience. Propose a concrete idea, for example a Reel that shows how the product fits into your everyday life. Back up what you say with one or two numbers on audience or engagement and a link to work samples. End with a clear next step, such as asking for a short call. Prices usually don’t belong in the first message yet, but rather in the conversation that follows.

Pitching a collaboration on Instagram and by email

An Instagram DM is quick to write, but at larger brands it often isn’t read by the person in charge. Many brands list an address for collaborations in their profile or on their website – use it if there is one. A message on Instagram can still make sense, for example as a quick note that you’ve sent an email. Add a link to your profile or bio page so the brand sees reach, audience and prices at a glance. Follow up politely at most once if you don’t hear back after a while.

Mistakes that make pitches fail

The most common mistakes are easy to avoid. The same message sent to many brands is spotted immediately. A pitch without an idea forces the brand to come up with something itself. Just stating your follower count says little about whether your audience is a fit. Offering your work for free without being asked signals that it isn’t worth much. And pressure like “only available this week” tends to put people off. Overly long texts, missing work samples and misspelled brand names also cost you chances. Read your pitch once from the brand’s point of view before sending it.

Contacting brands directly on creatordeal

On creatordeal you don’t write to a shared inbox. Under “Find someone” you search for brands, agencies and their contact people by role, name, industry or country and send a connection request, with a short message if you like. The brand sees your profile and accepts or declines; only after acceptance can you message each other. The prerequisite is a complete, approved profile. Each side decides in its contact filter who it receives requests from. On the free starter plan there is a monthly allowance for this, so it pays to reach out selectively.

After the yes: handle it properly

When a brand says yes, the real work begins: scope, date, usage rights and price have to be settled before you produce anything. On creatordeal that runs through a request with a brief or an individual quote; the brand then pays upfront, and you are paid out after approval. Keep in mind: if you met a brand through creatordeal, jobs with it run through the platform for 12 months from the first contact under the creator agreement. That protects both sides, because brief, agreements and delivery are then documented in one place and traceable in case of a dispute.

Questions

Frequently asked.

Key answers at a glance. Everything else is in the guides and in the FAQ.

How do I reach out to a brand for a collaboration?

Short and personal: why this brand, who you are, a concrete idea, some evidence and a clear next step. Don’t send mass emails.

How do I pitch brands as a creator?

Research the brand, propose a concrete content idea and show why your audience is a fit. Link to work samples and keep the text short.

Should I pitch a collaboration via Instagram DM?

A DM can work, but often isn’t read by the person in charge. If there is an address for collaborations, that is usually the better route.

Should I include my rates in the first pitch?

Usually not. The first message should spark interest; you clarify scope and price in the conversation afterward. Brands can see your package prices on your profile anyway.

How often can I follow up?

Once, politely, after a while is normal. If there is still no answer, that is usually an answer too.

Reach brands directly

With a complete profile, you connect with the people at brands who decide on collaborations.

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