How to Write Brand Pitches That Actually Get Replies
Most creator pitches get ignored in 3 seconds. Here's exactly what to say — with copy-paste templates.
Why 95% of Pitches Get Ignored
Brands receive hundreds of DMs every week. The ones that get deleted immediately all share one thing: they talk about the creator, not the brand. "I have 10K followers and great content" tells a brand nothing they care about. What they care about is: will this creator sell my product to the right audience?
Before writing a single word, spend 5 minutes on the brand's Instagram. What's their latest campaign? What aesthetic do they use? What kind of creators have they worked with before? This research is what separates a reply from a delete.
The Anatomy of a Winning Pitch
A pitch that gets replies has exactly 4 parts:
- 1. The Hook — why you're reaching out specifically to them (not a copy-paste)
- 2. The Match — why your audience fits their customer (with one specific data point)
- 3. The Offer — what you're proposing (reel, story, unboxing — be specific)
- 4. The CTA — one clear next step (not 'let me know what you think')
Template 1: The Cold Instagram DM
Use this when DMing a brand you've never spoken to. Keep it under 150 words — long DMs never get read.
Hi [Brand Name] team! 👋 I've been genuinely using [Product] for the past [X months] — specifically [specific use case]. My audience is [niche] creators/students/professionals in [city/region] — very similar to your target buyer. My recent [reel/post] on [topic] got [X views/saves]. I'd love to create a [1 Reel + 2 Stories] collaboration that shows [specific angle — e.g., "how I use your serum in my 5am skincare routine"]. Would you be open to a quick collab? Happy to share my media kit. — [Your Name]
Template 2: The Email Pitch (For Bigger Brands)
Bigger brands have marketing teams who check email, not DMs. Use this when you can find a marketing contact email (often on their website's Contact or Press page).
Subject: Collaboration Proposal — [Your Name] x [Brand Name] Hi [Name / Marketing Team], I'm [Your Name], a [niche] creator based in [City] with [X] engaged followers on Instagram (@handle). I've been a genuine fan of [Brand] — I actually [specific thing: bought X product, tried Y at Z event]. My audience overlaps significantly with your target customer: [describe your audience in 1 line]. I'd like to propose a collaboration: • 1 × Instagram Reel (60s) — [angle/concept] • 2 × Stories with swipe-up link • Deliverables within [X] days of product receipt My rate for this package is ₹[X]. I'm happy to discuss based on your campaign goals. I've attached my media kit. You can also view my recent work at [link or Instagram profile]. Looking forward to hearing from you! [Your Name] [Phone / WhatsApp] [Instagram handle]
Template 3: The Follow-Up (After No Reply)
Send exactly one follow-up, 5–7 days after your first pitch. Most deals close on the follow-up — brands are busy, not disinterested.
Hi [Brand Name] 👋 Just following up on my DM from last week about a potential collab. I recently posted [link to a relevant reel] which got [X views] — thought it showed the kind of content I'd create for [Brand]. Happy to adjust the proposal if needed. Let me know either way! — [Your Name]
Watch: How Top Indian Creators Pitch Brands
5 Mistakes That Kill Your Pitch
- Writing 'I would love to collaborate' with zero specifics — every creator says this
- Not mentioning your niche or audience demographics
- Asking for free products with no mention of deliverables
- Using a template word-for-word without personalizing line 1
- Sending a 400-word DM — nobody reads past 3 lines in a DM
Never send your rates in the first DM. Get them interested first. Rates come when they ask or when you send your media kit.
What to Do After You Send
Follow the brand on Instagram immediately after pitching. Engage genuinely with 1–2 of their recent posts. Brands check who their collaborators are — being active in their comments signals you're a real fan, not just chasing money.
Create your BrandKracker profile with your rate card before pitching. When a brand asks 'what are your rates?' — you send them your BrandKracker link instead of an awkward back-and-forth. It looks professional and saves time.
Read Next
Put this into action
Set up your BrandKracker profile with your rate card — brands search for creators like you every day.