Knowing how to reach out to brands as an influencer can open the door to paid partnerships, product deals, and long-term relationships. But getting noticed takes more than a quick DM, your message needs to be clear, personalized, and aligned with what the brand is looking for.
A strong pitch shows that you’re more than just a content creator, you’re a potential partner who understands their audience and can deliver real value. In this guide, you’ll learn how to approach brands the right way, what to include in your message, and get proven DM and email templates you can use to start building partnerships that last.
If you’re just starting out, this guide on how to become an influencer will help you build the foundation before pitching brands.
Do Your Prep Work Before Messaging
Before you message a brand, make sure you’re ready. Reaching out as an influencer is more than just saying “I love your products”, you’re pitching a potential partnership. The better your prep, the more confident and credible you’ll sound in your message.
a) What Brands Expect
Brands don’t need long messages. They’re looking for short, clear communication that shows you’re serious, professional, and prepared to collaborate.
Your message should be:
- Concise – Get to the point quickly
- Genuine – Avoid sounding like a mass pitch
- Clear – Let them know who you are and what you’re proposing
Even small details, like good grammar and a proper sign-off, help you stand out from the crowd.
b) Research the Brand
If you want to stand out, show that you’ve done your homework. Spend a few minutes looking at the brand’s Instagram, website, or recent campaigns. The more familiar you are with their voice, aesthetic, and values, the more natural your pitch will feel.
What to look for:
- Visual style: Does your content match their brand look?
- Target audience: Are your followers aligned with who they’re trying to reach?
- Campaign tone: Do they partner with creators like you, and how do they feature them?
Referencing something specific in your message proves you’re not just sending out random DMs.
c) Prepare Your Profile & Media Kit
Once you reach out, brands will check your profile, usually right away. Before you hit send, make sure your Instagram reflects your best work and clearly shows your niche.
Checklist:
- Updated bio with your niche or location
- Recent, high-quality content that reflects your usual style
- Story highlights with past collabs, unboxings, or daily engagement
- Media kit with follower stats, audience breakdown, engagement rate, and example content
Being prepared makes it easier for brands to say yes, and faster to move forward.
What to Include in a Collaboration Message?
When you reach out to a brand, your message should make it easy for them to understand who you are, what you offer, and why you’re a good fit. Keep it short, clear, and professional, most brands won’t read a long pitch.
Here’s what to include:
1. A Personal Greeting
Start with a name when possible. Avoid generic openings like “Hi Brand” or “Hey there.” If the brand’s page mentions a partnership manager or if they’ve signed past posts, use their name. If not, a simple “Hi [Brand Name] Team” works just fine.
Example:
“Hi GlowSkincare Team,”
“Hi Emily, (if you know the contact name)”
2. Introduce Yourself & Your Niche
Keep this part brief but specific. Mention what type of content you create, your niche, your follower count, and your typical engagement rate. If you have a media kit, this is where you mention it.
Example:
“ I’m a skincare and wellness creator based in Austin, sharing routines, reviews, and ingredient deep-dives with my 18K Instagram followers. My audience is 85% women, aged 20–35, and my average story engagement is 12%.
I’d be happy to share my media kit if helpful! “
3. Explain Why You’re a Good Fit
Let the brand know why you’re reaching out to them specifically. Mention something about their product, mission, or recent campaign that connects with your audience or content style. If you’ve worked with similar brands before, highlight that too.
Example:
“ I’ve been a fan of your SPF line for a while, my content focuses on gentle, effective skincare, and I think your focus on mineral-based formulas would resonate with my followers. I’ve worked with brands like SummerSkin and Calm Beauty in similar spaces. “
4. Clear Collaboration Idea
Don’t just say “I’d love to collab”, offer a concrete idea that shows you’ve thought it through. Brands appreciate influencers who come with suggestions.
Example:
“ I’d love to create a morning routine Reel showing how your sunscreen fits into a clean skincare lineup, along with an Instagram Story set and swipe-up to your product page. “
5. Call to Action (CTA)
Finish with a clear, friendly next step. Don’t leave it vague, ask if they’re open to collaborating or if they’d like to continue the conversation.
Example:
“ If this sounds like a fit, I’d love to discuss further or share more details. Looking forward to hearing from you! “
Once a brand responds, knowing how to reply professionally is just as important. Use this step-by-step guide to reply to brand collaboration emails to keep the conversation moving in the right direction.
Why is a Well-Crafted Instagram Collaboration Message Important?
If you’re serious about working with brands, your first message needs to reflect that. Reaching out as an influencer isn’t just about asking for a collab, it’s about showing why you’re a good fit and why a partnership makes sense.
Still figuring out what being a social media influencer really means? This complete guide to social media influencers breaks it down clearly.
Here’s why your message matters more than you think:
1. It Helps You Stand Out Instantly
Most brands receive dozens of pitches every week. A rushed or copy-paste message won’t stand out. A thoughtful, well-written one shows you’re serious and worth their time.
2. It Positions You as a Professional
Unpolished messages come off as amateur or desperate. But when your outreach is clear, benefit-focused, and well-formatted, brands are more likely to see you as a business partner, not just another follower asking for a freebie.
3. It Shows You’ve Done Your Homework
Mentioning a recent campaign or acknowledging their target audience proves you’ve taken the time to understand the brand. This builds trust and sets your message apart from mass outreach.
Example:
“Your summer skincare launch caught my eye, my audience is full of eco-conscious moms who would love it.”
4. It Strengthens Your Negotiation Power
When you clearly communicate what you bring to the table: your audience, style, engagement, or content ideas, brands are more likely to pay attention and take your pitch seriously.
Example:
“My Reels average a 10% engagement rate. I could create a 3-part series showing how your product fits into a real morning routine.”
5. It Saves Time for Everyone
A structured message with your stats, content idea, and availability helps brands make quick decisions. The more clarity you give, the faster the process moves.
3 Outreach Message Templates for Influencers (Copy-Paste Ready)
Now that you know what to include, here are three plug-and-play templates tailored for different outreach scenarios. Whether you’re sending a DM or a professional email, these will help you reach out to brands as an influencer with clarity and confidence.
1. Product Gifting (No-Pressure Approach)
Subject (if via email): Love Your Brand – Would Love to Connect
Hi [Brand Name] Team,
I’m [Your Name], a [niche] content creator with [X] followers on Instagram. I’ve been following your brand and truly admire your focus on [insert brand value, product, or campaign].
I’d love to try your products and share them organically with my audience, who are always asking me for [relevant product category]. If you’re open to gifting, I’d be happy to send over my shipping details.
Looking forward to connecting!
Best,
[Your Name]
@yourhandle | [email]
[Media Kit link if applicable]
2. Sponsored Collaboration Pitch
Subject: Potential Collaboration – [Your Handle] x [Brand Name]
Hi [Brand Contact Name],
I’m [Your Name], a [location]-based creator focused on [your niche]. I recently came across your [campaign/product] and love how it aligns with my content and audience of [brief audience description].
I’d love to collaborate on a campaign where I showcase [short idea: unboxing, tutorial, routine, etc.]. My typical engagement rate is [X%], and I’d be happy to share a full media kit and past brand work if helpful.
If this sounds like a fit, I’d love to discuss next steps.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
@yourhandle | [email]
[Media Kit link]
3. Instagram Direct Message (DM Pitch)
Hi [Brand Name], I’m a content creator in the [niche] space and love what you’re doing, especially your recent [campaign/product]. I’d love to discuss a potential collaboration if you’re open to it! What’s the best email to reach your partnerships team?
Do’s and Don’ts of Outreach Etiquette
Reaching out to brands as an influencer is part pitch, part relationship-building. These do’s and don’ts will help you leave the right impression from the start.
Do’s
- Be concise and respectful of their time – Keep your message short, clear, and focused on value.
- Personalize every message – Mention something specific about the brand to show you’ve done your research.
- Follow up (once) – If you don’t hear back after 5–7 days, send a short, polite follow-up message. One reminder is enough.
- Keep your tone friendly but professional – You’re pitching a business partnership, so avoid overly casual language.
- Have your media kit or stats ready – If they ask, be ready to share proof of your audience and performance.
Don’ts
- Don’t copy and paste the same message to every brand – Brands can tell. Personalization is what gets attention.
- Don’t overpromise – Be honest about your audience size, engagement, and capacity.
- Don’t pitch in public comments – Always use DMs or email. Public messages come across as unprofessional.
- Don’t take it personally if they don’t respond – Brands get hundreds of messages. A no-response isn’t a rejection, just move on and try again later.
FAQs: How to Reach Out to Brands as an Influencer
How many followers do I need to pitch brands?
You don’t need tens of thousands of followers to start. Many brands work with micro-influencers (1K–10K) because of their high engagement and niche reach. Focus on building trust with your audience, brands care about influence, not just numbers.
Should I use email or DM to contact brands?
Use email when it’s available, it’s more professional and easier to track. DMs can work for small brands or first contact, but try to move the conversation to email as soon as possible.
What if a brand doesn’t reply?
Give it 5–7 business days, then follow up once with a short reminder. If there’s still no response, don’t take it personally, move on and try again with a different brand.
Can I reach out if I’ve never done a paid collab before?
Yes. Just be transparent about your experience, and show your value with audience insights, content examples, and a well-prepared profile. Gifting campaigns or affiliate collabs are a great way to start.
Do I need a media kit to pitch brands?
It’s highly recommended. A media kit shows your stats, audience breakdown, niche, and examples of past work. Even a one-page PDF or a well-designed Google Doc can make a strong impression.
Final Takeaways
Reaching out to brands as an influencer is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice. A strong first message can lead to valuable collaborations, but it starts with doing your homework, being clear about your value, and keeping your communication professional.
You don’t need a massive following to get noticed. What brands really want is alignment, authenticity, and creators who know how to pitch with purpose.
Ready to take your outreach to the next level?
- Use our Influencer Outreach Tool to manage your pitches, track follow-ups, and stay organized.
- Get discovered by brands on our Influencer Marketplace Powered by AI, where creators and campaigns connect faster.
Run campaigns like an Influencer Marketing Agency. With Hypefy’s all-in-one platform, you can match with top brands and manage every step of the collaboration seamlessly.
