How to Pitch to Brands as a UGC Creator

Before the Pitch

So, you’re growing on your journey of being a UGC creator and now you’re ready to begin pitching to brands. Here’s a short checklist of what you should have completed before you pitch!

• Established a specific niche or industry you want to work in
• Created a portfolio comprised of content within your niche
• Created a rate card/media kit

Picking a Niche

Everyone’s opinion varies when it comes to whether or not you should define your niche. I think, when it comes to UGC work, you absolutely should have a clear, defined niche so that when brands look at your work, they know exactly who you work with and what to expect.

If you’re struggling to pick a niche, here’s a little exercise that might help you!

On your phone, or a piece of paper, write down a list of your hobbies and interests. This could be fashion, skincare, travel, hiking, skiing, reading, etc. Once you’ve written those down, go back through and get more specific, if you can.

For example, if I wrote down travel on my list, I would then think about more specific things I like about travel. This could be affordable travel, off-the-beaten-path travel, travel suitcases or accessories. You get the idea.

Once you’ve written out a list of specific hobbies and interests of yours, then think about what content you would enjoy creating the most. REMEMBER, just because it’s a hobby or activity you like doing, you might not enjoy creating content about it. My advice would be to experiment with creating content with different products that you already have within those niches you picked.

Also, remember that you can always change your niche, you’re not stuck in one category!

Creating a Portfolio

Well, to create your portfolio, you need to have content! I recommend using products that you already own, there’s no need to spend money unless you want to be a creator in a niche that you don’t have any products of yet.

The best, and most professional, way to display your portfolio is to make a website. I can go more in-depth about how to create a website in another blog! But don’t fret! There are plenty of other ways you can display your portfolio.

Another way you can display your portfolio is by using Canva. There’s a free version that can help you with all of your graphic design needs! You can search for a portfolio template and then customize it and make it your own.

Creating a Rate Card/Media Kit

Canva is going to be your friend for this as well! They have rate card and media kit templates that you can customize.

If you look below, I have attached my old UGC rate card:

What you need to include in your rate card:

• Your name/business name
• “UGC Creator” (so the brand clearly knows you do UGC)
• Different video packages and prices
• Different photo packages and prices
• A few different bundles/packages that include a mixture of photos and videos
• *Optional* Your social media handle

Having a media kit is more common with influencers, so you just need a UGC rate card!

Let’s Pitch!

Time for your first UGC creator pitch! There are a few different strategies and ways that you can get in contact with a brand and pitch your services to them.

One way is to reach out through Instagram DMs. Yes, haha, slide into those DMs!!

The Instagram Pitch

When you reach out via Instagram, here’s a general template of what you should say:

“Hello [Brand Name] Team,

My name is ________, and I am a UGC creator in the ________ niche. I have been an admirer of [Brand Name] for [how long] and I wanted to reach out and express my interest in working together. OR I recently discovered [Brand Name] and admire your [what you admire about their brand].

[Briefly explain who you are and what you do. If you’ve worked with brands previously you can mention those here].

I’m reaching out to inquire about the possibility of collaborating with [Brand Name], and kindly request the contact information of who to reach out to with my collaboration ideas.

Thank you for your time. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to discuss this further.

Best regards,

{Your Name}”

The main purpose of reaching out through Instagram is not to send your entire pitch, it’s to get the right contact information of who you should be pitching to. But, there are other ways you could get this information without reaching out via Instagram.

Finding the Right Contact

One way to get the correct contact information for a brand’s marketing/PR rep, is to reach out through Instagram, like we just discussed.

Another way to find the right contact info is to look on the brand’s website. However, most of the time, the email that you find on their website will be a general information/help email like info.com. You can reach out to that generic email, but again, my advice would be to only inquire for the correct contact info, don’t send your full pitch.

The Email Pitch

Okay! You have reached out or found the correct email address, here’s where the fun begins!

Below, I have provided a loose template you can follow to draft up your pitch. Remember to make it your own and add your flare so they can get a sense of who you are!

“Dear [Name], >>> if you have the rep’s name then use it, if not, say [Brand Name] Team

I hope this message finds you well. My name is ________, and I am a UGC creator in the [your niche] industry. I am reaching out to express my interest in collaborating with [Brand Name].

[If you have previously worked with any brands, mention them here, or mention any accomplishments you have in your field, it builds your credibility!]

Here are a few collaboration ideas I have that are tailored to highlight [Brand Name]’s products:

[Come up with a few different collaboration ideas and expand on them here].

I am thrilled about the possibility of working together to create content that resonates with your audience. Please let me know if you would be interested in discussing this collaboration further or if you have any specific ideas you would like to discuss.

Thank you for considering my proposal. I look forward to the opportunity of working with [Brand Name].

Best regards,

[Your Name, Email, Phone Number, Website}”

The key highlights that your email needs to include are:

• Your name and a brief description of who you are and what you do
• What you like about their brand (give them compliments)
• Relevant credibility (brands you’ve worked with, accomplishments, etc.)
• Collaboration ideas
• Your sign-off (contact info, signature, etc.)

Happy Pitching!

REMEMBER, it takes time (and a lot of rejections) until you land a paid brand deal. So, don’t get discouraged! I’m pretty sure I had to pitch to about one hundred brands before I got a yes, so just don’t give up!

If you have any questions or would like me to write about something specific, please let me know!