How to Pitch Brands as an Influencer

As an influencer, sitting around waiting for a brand to slide into your DMs is a strategy for hobbyists, not business owners. To build a sustainable income, you need to take control of your pipeline.

Granted, pitching to brands feels intimidating.

There's unspoken pressure to have everything figured out: your niche, your audience, and your stats, because you think some perfect combination will magically open doors to endless collaborations.

So when you put some things together, you try the "spray and pray" method of sending 50 generic emails a day.

Just like waiting around for DMs, that strategy also doesn't work because brand managers are savvier, inboxes are fuller, and the bar for professionalism is higher.

It's flat-out a losing game.

Influencers who succeed are the ones who create impeccable value and pitch the right brands strategically to say, "Hey, I'm the perfect fit for your brand, and here's why."

Here's everything you need to know about how to pitch brands as an influencer and bag deals.

Before You Send Your First Pitch

Before you write a single word, you need to ensure you are "pitch-ready." A brand manager will click on your profile the second they read your email. If your house isn't in order, the pitch fails immediately.

• Niche Down: Generalist lifestyle accounts are harder to pitch. Brands want specific audiences.

• Optimize Your Bio: Does it clearly state who you are and what you do? Check out our 15 UGC creator bio examples for inspiration.

• Have Your Assets Ready: You need a professional media kit and a rate card. If you don't have these, stop and read our guides on how to build a media kit that brands can't ignore and the only influencer rate card guide you need.

• Establish organic brand alignment. Start by tagging the brand in posts where their product naturally fits. Share genuine stories or experiences using their products—authenticity is non-negotiable here.

• Find the right person to contact. Blindly sending a pitch to a generic email address often leads nowhere.

How to Find the Right Brand and Contact

The most common mistake? Pitching to info@brand.com or support@brand.com. Those emails go to customer service agents who cannot hire you. You need to find the Influencer Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, or Brand Manager.

The LinkedIn Method:

1. Go to the brand's LinkedIn company page.

2. Click "People."

3. Search for "Marketing," "Social," or "Influencer."

4. Find the person in your region.

Once you have a name, use our guide on how to find influencer marketing managers to get their verified email address.

Warm up to the contact.

Cold pitches are tough. Warm pitches are powerful. Spend 1-2 weeks engaging with the brand before you email them.

• Reply to their Stories (don't just "heart" them).

• Tag them in organic content showing you genuinely use their product.

• Leave thoughtful comments on their posts.

This puts your name on their radar, so when your email lands, it’s a "Hello again," not a "Who is this?"

How to Create the Perfect Pitch Email

Your email needs to be concise, personalized, and value-driven. Brand managers are busy; respect their time.

The Pitch Structure:

1. The Hook: A specific compliment about their recent work (prove you aren't a bot).

2. The "Why You": Your specific niche and why your audience aligns with theirs.

3. The Idea: Don't ask "how can we help?" Pitch a specific concept.

4. The Social Proof: One sentence on your best stats or past wins.

5. The CTA: A low-friction call to action.

Template: The "Specific Idea" Pitch

Subject: Content Idea for [Brand Name] x [Your Name]: [Campaign Theme]

Hi [Name],

I’ve been following [Brand Name] for years—your recent campaign on [Topic] was brilliant. I especially loved how you [Specific Detail].

My name is [Name] and I’m a [Niche] creator helping [Target Audience] solve [Problem]. My community is highly engaged with content about [Brand's Industry], with an average engagement rate of [Your Rate]%.

As a genuine user of your products, I have a concept for a "Day in the Life" Reel series focusing on how [Product] helps busy professionals stay organized. I believe this authentic storytelling would drive strong awareness and conversions.

You can see my portfolio and past results here: [Link].

Would you be open to me sending over a brief concept deck?

Best,

[Your Name]

For more templates and strategies to ensure your emails get opened, read our 10 email outreach tips for creators.

The Art of The Follow-Up (And a 'Smartcut')

70% of deals happen in the follow-up. If you don't hear back in 5-7 days, send a polite bump.

"Hi [Name], just bubbling this up! I also just had a great campaign with [Non-Competitor] that drove [Result], and I’d love to do the same for you."

Learn the exact timing and scripts in our guide on how to follow up after pitching a brand.

The Smartcut

Cold pitching works, but it is time-consuming.

The most efficient way to land deals is to be where the brands are already looking.

Join Pitchbrand. We help creators pitch directly to brands that have active budgets. No digging for emails, no guessing games. Just professional opportunities at your fingertips.

Regardless...

Rejection is part of the process. Don't take silence personally. If you refine your profile, target the right decision-makers, and send value-packed pitches, you are building a professional pipeline.

Start today. Pick 5 brands you love, find the right contacts, and send 5 pitches this week. Your next paid partnership is just one "send" away.