How to Pitch Brands on Instagram (And Land Paid Deals)

As a creator, your Instagram profile is a $10K+/month revenue stream waiting to be unlocked.

But how do you slide into a brand's DMs to pitch a collaboration without sounding spammy, unprofessional, or like you’re just asking for free stuff?

Let's say you’ve found the perfect brand.

Their products align with your values, their aesthetic is inspiring, and you’re buzzing with content ideas.

You open Instagram, navigate to their profile, and your thumb hovers over the "Message" button.

That’s the moment of truth.

How do you start that conversation that leads to a paid brand deal?

At Pitchbrand, we facilitate thousands of these creator-brand conversations. We see the pitches that get ignored and the ones that blossom into six-figure campaigns.

The difference is rarely luck; it’s a professional strategy.

This blog reveals that strategy.

It is your professional, step-by-step playbook for pitching brands on Instagram.

We'll show you how to leverage your Experience and Expertise to build the Trust and Authority that makes brands eager to partner with you.

Before You Pitch...

Before you type a single word, understand this: your entire profile is the first part of your pitch.

When you send a DM, the first thing a brand manager will do is tap your profile picture.

Make sure what they see convinces them you're a professional.

Does Your Bio Attract Brands?

Is it crystal clear who you are, your niche (e.g., "Sustainable Style for Curvy Women," "UGC Pro for Eco Brands"), and the value you provide?

Most importantly, is there a professional email address listed?

Serious business moves to email. Don't make them hunt for it.

Do You Have a Content Grid?

Your last 9-12 posts are your instant portfolio.

Do they showcase the quality of work you’d deliver for a paid campaign? Is your niche clear and consistent?

A messy or inconsistent grid signals a hobbyist; a focused, high-quality grid signals a professional.

Do You Have a Community That Proves Your Influence?

Brands don't just look at follower count; they look for real connection.

Are you having conversations in your comments? Are people responding to your Stories?

This engagement is tangible proof that you have an audience that trusts you, and that's what brands are paying for.

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Turning a Cold DM into a Warm Handshake

Brand managers are tired of cold DMs.

The pitches that get noticed are from creators who have already established a connection. You must warm up the relationship first.

Step 1: Engage Genuinely (For 1-2 Weeks)

Before you pitch, become a part of their community. Follow them, like their content, and leave thoughtful, specific comments.

Don't: "Love this! ❤️"

Do: "The way you’ve styled the new linen trousers here is brilliant! It shows how versatile they are for both work and weekend."

Step 2: Interact with Their Stories

Reply to their polls, answer their Q&A stickers, and react to their behind-the-scenes content.

This shows you're an active, attentive follower, not just a random account.

Step 3: Create Organic Content

This is the single best way to get on a brand's radar.

If you already own and love their product, create a stunning Reel or a beautiful photo series about it.

Tag them clearly and showcase your talent without any obligation.

This demonstrates authentic brand affinity and serves as a powerful, unsolicited case study of your work.

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The Perfect Pitch DM (Your 3-Sentence Opener)

You've warmed them up. Your profile is polished. It's time to craft the DM.

Let’s be clear**:**

The goal of the first DM is not to secure the deal. The goal is to be so professional and intriguing that you move the conversation to email, where real business is done.

The Anatomy of a Winning DM

Sentence 1: The Personalized Hook**:** Immediately reference something recent and specific. This proves you're not a bot.
Sentence 2: The Concise Value Proposition**:** State who you are and why it matters to them.
Sentence 3: The Call-to-Action (to Email): Politely and professionally ask to move the conversation to the right channel.

Here are two ready-to-use templates

Template 1: The "Warm" DM Pitch (After Engaging)

Hi [Brand Name]! I've been loving your recent content on [specific topic, e.g., sustainable production]. The Reel you posted yesterday was fantastic!

I'm [Your Name], a [your niche, e.g., 'conscious lifestyle'] creator, and I help brands like yours connect with an audience that values ethical practices.

I have a few specific content ideas for your upcoming [season/launch] that I believe would resonate deeply. Would you be open to me sending my media kit and a brief proposal to the best marketing email?

Template 2: The UGC Creator Pitch (Focus on Content Assets)

Hi [Brand Name] team! I was so inspired by the visual direction of your new [Product Name] campaign.

I'm a UGC creator specializing in producing high-quality, authentic video content for [your industry, e.g., 'skincare'] brands.

I'd love to send over my portfolio and some UGC concepts tailored for your products that you can use on your own channels. What's the best email address for that?

The Follow-Up and Moving Off-Platform

You sent the DM. What next?

Wait Patiently**.** Give them at least 3-5 business days.

Brand managers are juggling dozens of priorities.

If you don't hear back, it's okay to send one polite follow-up.

Reply directly to your original message.

For example, "Hi! Just wanted to gently bump this up in your inbox. Hope you're having a great week!"

Once they provide an email, send your full, professional pitch.

Reference your Instagram conversation in the subject line (e.g., Instagram Follow-up: [Your Name] x [Brand Name]) and attach your media kit.

From our vantage point, we know what makes brand managers cringe. Avoid these mistakes to protect your professional reputation:

**The One-Word "Collab?"**This shows zero effort and will be ignored 100% of the time.
The Entitled Demand: "Send me free products." Never demand. Always offer value first.
The Wall of Text: Your life story does not belong in a DM. Keep the initial pitch short, scannable, and respectful of their time.
The Obvious Mismatch: Pitching a steakhouse when your bio says you're a vegan creator. It proves you haven't done the most basic research.
The Generic Copy-Paste: If your message could be sent to any brand, it shouldn't be sent to any brand. Personalization is mandatory.

Lastly... Pitch with Strategy, Not Just Hope

Pitching brands on Instagram is a professional skill.

It’s about building a strategic bridge from a casual social platform to a formal business relationship.

All you have to do is:

Optimise your profile
Warm up the connection through genuine engagement
Send a concise, value-driven dm to move the conversation to email
Follow up and track
Rinse and repeat for as many brands as you want

If that's too much work for you, you can bypass the DMs and connect directly with brands that are actively searching for professional creators for their next campaign.