Top Mistakes Creators Make When Pitching To Brands And How To Avoid Them

Have you been struggling to stand out and get brands attention? Its ok, many other content creators have the same issue. I know because I was once in your shoes and help many others through my email list and other avenues.

 I can tell you right off the bat, one of the biggest downfalls many content creators fall into is obsessing over the number of followers they have. It’s easy to think that a big audience equals success, but that’s not always the case.

What is the most important and overall more effective strategy is creating deep, meaningful relationships with the audience you already have.

But before we dive deep into this, I want to go ahead and introduce myself so that you know who I am and why I know what I know.

My name is Marlinda and for the past 10 years I’ve been active in the online marketing space. I’ve helped my students rank for competitive keywords as well as land deals they never thought was possible.

I want to help you do the same so I’m giving you my fool proof system to pitching that will get brands attention. Just fill out the form below and it will be sent straight to your inbox!

I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey. If you have any questions or need someone to talk to please feel free to reply to the email at any time to reach out to me. There’s no gatekeeping in this corner of the interwebs, I’ll share everything I know to help you find success.


How To Build An Engaged Community

When we think about building a community, its important to understand what engagement truly is. Focusing on genuine engagement means interacting with your followers in a way that feels personal and authentic. Responding to comments, asking for feedback, and creating conversations are all ways to build that connection.

A small, engaged audience that trusts and values what you offer is far more powerful than a large, disinterested one.

Loyalty from your audience can drive better results for you and the brands you work with. When your followers are genuinely interested in your content, they’re more likely to engage with branded content, too. That’s valuable for brands because it shows a higher likelihood of conversions and real influence, not just inflated numbers.

To foster loyalty, it’s essential to prioritize creating value. Your content should educate, entertain, or inspire your audience in some way. When people feel they are receiving something meaningful, they’re more likely to stick around and support you.

Building community is another key element. Encourage your audience to interact with each other and form connections within your space. This can be through:

  • social media groups
  • forums
  • even live events

A strong community can amplify your reach organically and signal to brands that you’re a trusted voice in your niche.

Crafting a Compelling Pitch as a Content Creator

Getting brands to notice you is all about positioning yourself effectively. It starts with a solid pitch that highlights your strengths and unique value. To do this, you need to get specific about what sets you apart from others.

First off, know the elements of a successful pitch. Outline who you are, what you do, and why it matters. Personalize your pitch to the brand you’re reaching out to. Demonstrate that you understand their values, goals, and needs.

Showcase your unique value proposition. Highlight what makes your content stand out and how it aligns with the brand’s identity. Include tangible examples of past collaborations and their success. Use metrics that matter, like:

  • engagement rates
  • audience demographics
  • not just follower count

Authenticity is your best asset. Brands want to see genuine engagement and real connections with your audience. Share testimonials or feedback from your community to back up your claims. Let the brand see the human side of your work.

Another key tip is to provide clear, concise information. Brands don’t have time to sift through lengthy emails. Get straight to the point and make it easy for them to see why you’re a good fit.

Think of your pitch as a story. It should have a clear beginning, middle, and end.

  • Start with an engaging introduction about who you are.
  • The middle should focus on your strengths and past successes.
  • End with a call to action or next steps for potential collaboration.

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Avoiding Common Mistakes When Pitching to Brands

A big mistake creators often make when pitching to brands is emphasizing follower count too much. Brands aren’t just looking for numbers; they want authentic engagement. Show them you have an active, loyal audience that values your content.

Vanity metrics can be distracting. Instead, present engagement metrics like comments, shares, and time spent on your content. These figures give brands a clearer picture of your influence and the connection you have with your audience.

A dedicated, smaller audience can be more valuable than a large, indifferent one. When followers are loyal and engaged, they’re more likely to trust your recommendations and act on them. This kind of influence is what brands are seeking, as it translates to better conversion rates.

Leveraging your community’s loyalty in pitches is key. Share stories of how your audience has responded positively to previous campaigns. Provide examples that demonstrate real impact and engagement. This kind of evidence is compelling and shows brands you’re more than just numbers.

Don’t forget the importance of authenticity. Brands want to see your true self and how you authentically connect with your community. Present yourself genuinely in pitches, using a tone and style that matches your regular content.

Brand Mistakes on Social Media and How to Navigate Them

One of the biggest mistakes brands make on social media is ignoring engagement. Brands often get caught up in producing content and forget to interact with their followers. Engagement isn’t just about posting; it’s about creating conversations and fostering connections.

Brands need to understand their audience better. Instead of pushing out constant promotions, they should listen to what their audience is saying. Monitoring comments, messages, and mentions can provide valuable insights into what your audience wants and needs.

Effective communication strategies are essential. Brands should aim to be responsive and personal. Automated replies can feel cold and impersonal, so it’s crucial to add a human touch. Personalized responses show that a brand values its customers’ opinions and is willing to engage with them on a deeper level.

Examples of successful brand strategies can inspire better practices. Look at brands that excel in social media engagement, like Wendy’s with their witty Twitter presence or Netflix’s interactive content on Instagram. These brands show that humor, relatability, and timely responses can build strong online communities.

Strategies for User-Generated Content (UGC) Creators to Pitch to Brands

Understanding the role of UGC creators in brand marketing is crucial. UGC provides an authentic voice that traditional marketing often lacks. Brands love UGC because it feels real and relatable, and it showcases genuine user experiences.

When pitching as a UGC creator, highlighting authenticity is key. Show that your content captures real moments and honest opinions. Brands are looking for creators who can craft content that resonates on a personal level with their audience.

Building a strong portfolio is essential. Collect your best UGC examples, showcasing different types of content and how they’ve performed. Include detailed metrics like engagement rates and reach to back up your claims.

Connecting the value of your UGC to a brand’s goals is important. Explain how your content can help them achieve specific objectives, like increasing brand awareness or driving sales. Tailor your pitch to show how your style fits perfectly with their brand image.

Networking can open doors. Engage with brands on social media, attend industry events, and connect with other UGC creators. Building relationships can lead to fruitful collaborations and more opportunities.

Following up is part of the process. After sending your pitch, a courteous follow-up email can remind the brand of your proposal and demonstrate your professionalism. Persistence shows you’re serious about the collaboration.

Best Practices for Approaching Brands as a Content Creator

Researching brands thoroughly is the first step. Understand their mission, values, and target audience. This preparation helps you tailor your pitch to align with their goals and show that you’re genuinely interested in collaborating with them.

Personalizing your pitch is key. Generic emails are easy for brands to spot and often get ignored. Mention specific campaigns you admire or suggest creative ideas that tie in with their current objectives. This demonstrates that you’ve put thought into your proposal.

Building a long-term relationship should be your aim, not just one-off deals. Express interest in ongoing partnerships. Brands value creators who see beyond just a quick transaction and are invested in mutual growth.

Professionalism is crucial. This extends beyond the pitch itself. Ensure your communication is clear, respectful, and timely. Meet deadlines and deliver high-quality content consistently. Being reliable can set you apart from others.

Don’t forget to follow up. If you haven’t heard back after your initial pitch, a friendly reminder can sometimes do the trick. Balance persistence with politeness, showing that you’re truly enthusiastic about the opportunity.

Maintaining communication after a collaboration is important. Share how the campaign performed and your audience’s feedback. This keeps the relationship warm and paves the way for future opportunities.

How Can You Get Better At Pitching To Brands?

If you’ve been grappling with the pitfalls of pitching to brands, like obsessing over follower counts instead of building genuine engagement, you already know the challenges firsthand. The strategies outlined above outline that success lies in creating meaningful relationships with your audience and crafting authentic pitches that truly resonate with brands.

But if you’re ready to move beyond common mistakes and master a proven system for securing high-value sponsorships, there’s an even better way forward.

Enter Brand Deal Wizard. This course is your all-in-one resource for transforming your pitching process.

In my in-depth review, I break down how Brand Deal Wizard offers actionable, step-by-step guidance to help you craft pitches that highlight your unique value, leverage engagement metrics, and ultimately, land the deals you deserve.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, Brand Deal Wizard equips you with the tools and insider insights to turn every pitch into a potential win.

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8 thoughts on “Top Mistakes Creators Make When Pitching To Brands And How To Avoid Them”

  1. Hey there,

    Great insights! I especially appreciate the emphasis on doing thorough research on the brand and tailoring your pitch accordingly. It’s so important to show that you’ve taken the time to understand their unique needs and values, rather than just sending out a generic pitch to multiple brands. By doing your homework, you can create a pitch that truly resonates with the brand and increases your chances of success. I also found the point about being clear and concise in your pitch to be particularly relevant – it’s easy to get caught up in trying to showcase all of your skills and experience, but ultimately, the brand just wants to know how you can help them achieve their goals. Thanks for sharing these valuable tips and helping creators avoid common pitfalls when pitching to brands!

    I did have a couple of questions – what’s the best way to follow up with a brand after sending a pitch, and how long should you wait before reaching out again if you haven’t heard back? Are there any specific metrics or benchmarks that brands typically look for when evaluating a creator’s proposal?

    Marios

    Reply
    • Hi Marios,

      Thank you for your thoughtful comment and for raising such pertinent questions. I’m glad the insights on research and tailoring your pitch resonated with you!

      Regarding follow-ups after sending a pitch, here are some best practices:

      • Follow-Up Timing: Generally, wait about 5 to 7 business days after your initial pitch before sending a gentle follow-up. This gives the brand enough time to review your proposal without feeling rushed.

      • Crafting the Follow-Up: Keep your follow-up concise and friendly. Reference your original pitch briefly, express your continued interest, and invite any questions or feedback. For example, a short email might read, “I just wanted to follow up on the pitch I sent last week. I’m excited about the possibility of collaborating and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.”

      • Additional Follow-Up: If you haven’t received a response after your first follow-up, consider sending one more message after another week. After that, if there’s still no reply, it’s usually best to move on or explore other opportunities.

      As for metrics or benchmarks that brands typically evaluate, these can vary depending on their specific goals, but common ones include:

      • Engagement Rate: This includes likes, comments, shares, and overall interaction with your content. Brands often value a high engagement rate as a sign of an active, connected audience.

      • Audience Demographics: Knowing who your audience is—age, location, interests, etc.—helps brands determine if your followers align with their target market.

      • Content Quality and Consistency: Beyond numbers, the quality of your content and your consistent posting schedule are key factors that brands look at. Authenticity in storytelling and visual appeal can go a long way.

      • Reach and Impressions: These metrics show how many people are seeing your content, which can be important for campaigns focused on awareness.

      Ultimately, the best proposals blend these data points with a narrative about how you can help the brand meet their specific goals. I’ll be exploring these topics in more depth in future posts, so stay tuned!

      Thanks again for your insightful questions, Marios. I hope this helps, and I’m excited to share more tips on effective pitching and follow-ups in upcoming articles.

      Best regards,
      Marlinda

      Reply
  2. Great insights here! I completely agree that building a loyal and engaged audience is far more valuable than chasing after large follower numbers. Genuine engagement leads to stronger connections, and that’s what drives real results for both creators and brands. It’s so important to focus on creating meaningful content that educates, entertains, or inspires — that’s what keeps people coming back. I also love the emphasis on community. When your audience feels like they’re part of something, it naturally boosts your influence and trust with brands. Overall, a great reminder that success is built on meaningful connections, not just big numbers.

    Reply
    • Hey Kavitha,

      Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment! I’m so glad you resonated with the emphasis on building a loyal, engaged audience over focusing solely on follower count. You’re absolutely right, genuine engagement is what truly drives success in sponsorships and creator-brand partnerships. 

      When creators foster a sense of community within their audience, it does wonders for building trust and long-term relationships, not just with followers, but with brands as well.

      I completely agree that meaningful content is key. If creators can educate, entertain, and inspire, they will naturally build stronger connections with their community. That’s the kind of content that keeps people coming back, and it’s what brands are really looking for.

      Thanks again for sharing your insights, it’s always great to hear how others are embracing the power of authentic engagement. Stay tuned for more tips and strategies in future posts! for a couple of seconds

      Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I’m glad the insights resonated with you. Focusing on building a loyal, engaged audience really does make all the difference, when people feel connected, they’re more likely to trust your content and stick around for the long haul. 

      It’s exciting to see how community-driven strategies not only enhance your influence but also create more authentic partnerships with brands. Thanks again for sharing your perspective and reinforcing the idea that success comes from genuine connections, not just big numbers. 

      Keep up the great work!

      Reply
  3. This article is really eye opening but am still stuck with so many questions running through my mind, Why do you think many creators mistakenly focus on follower count over engagement?

    What are some strategies you can use to build a deep connection with your audience?

    How can loyalty from a smaller audience be more valuable than having a large, disengaged following?

    Reply
    • Hey Miracle,

      Thanks for your thoughtful questions! Here’s some insight into each point:

      • Many creators focus on follower count because it’s a tangible, easily visible metric that seems to equate to influence. Social media algorithms and early influencer advice often emphasize numbers, leading many to equate a high follower count with success. However, it’s the quality of those interactions—likes, comments, shares, and genuine conversations—that really indicate how connected your audience is.

      • Building a deep connection with your audience starts with authenticity. Share your personal stories and experiences, engage with your followers through comments, live sessions, and Q&As;, and encourage community interaction. Consistency in your messaging and content that resonates with your audience’s interests and values will help nurture that relationship over time.

      • A smaller, loyal audience can be far more valuable than a large, disengaged following. Loyal followers are more likely to take action on your recommendations, share your content, and actively support your projects. Brands value these high-engagement communities because they often lead to better conversion rates and stronger long-term partnerships.

      I hope these insights help clarify your questions! Feel free to share any more thoughts or queries.

      Reply

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