Brands get plenty of generic pitches from UGC creators. The ones that get replies are short, mention the brand's actual ads or products, and link to relevant samples. This template gives you three pitches to adapt, subject lines to test, and a checklist to make each one specific.
What you get
A cold DM pitch for Instagram or TikTok
A cold email pitch and a follow-up email
A subject line bank and a personalisation checklist
A branded PDF to keep open while you write your outreach
How to use this template
1
Research the brand first. Look at their current ads and organic posts. Note one format they use and one gap you could fill.
2
Pick the right pitch. Use the DM for smaller brands active on social, the email when you can find a marketing contact, and the follow-up after about a week.
3
Personalise every one. Run through the checklist before you send. If the pitch could go to any brand unchanged, it isn't ready.
4
Track and follow up once. Log who you pitched and when. Send one follow-up, then move on if there's no reply.
What's inside
Here's a preview. Unlock the free download to get all 7 sections (5 more below).
What is a UGC pitch email?
A UGC pitch email is the short message you send a brand to ask for paid video work. It names something specific about them, says what kind of UGC you film, offers one concrete idea for their product, links your samples, and ends with a single easy question.
It is how most UGC creators get their first paid jobs, since brands rarely advertise for them. The version that gets a reply runs under 150 words and could only have been sent to that one company. Rates come later, once the brand has shown interest.
Pitch 1: cold DM
Short enough to read in a message preview. Swap the placeholders for real details about the brand.
Opener
e.g. Hi! I've been using your [product] for [time] and just saw your new [launch/ad].
What you do
e.g. I make UGC videos for [niche] brands, mostly [format] for paid social.
Idea
e.g. I'd love to film a [format] showing [specific use case].
Collabstr is a creator marketplace that connects brands with 200,000+ vetted influencers and UGC creators across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms.
Passionfroot is a sponsorship management platform built for creators who want to handle brand deals without spreadsheets, long email threads, or an agent.
Brands ignore generic pitches. This template gives you a tight, results-led email — subject line, opener, value, and ask — plus two follow-ups, so you start conversations with the brands you actually want to work with.
A UGC portfolio has one job: show a brand you can make the kind of video they need. This planner helps you decide what goes in it, from your niche and packages to which samples to feature, so the page you build in Canva, Notion, or a site builder is focused and easy to scan.
Most sponsorships die in silence after the first email. These follow-up templates give you the right message for each stage — no reply, post-proposal, and post-call — so you stay top of mind and close deals that would otherwise go cold.
It is a short cold email or DM asking a brand for paid UGC work. It mentions something real about them, says what you film, offers one idea for their product, links samples, and asks one low-effort question.
How do I pitch myself as a UGC creator?
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Keep it short and specific. Mention something real about the brand, say what kind of UGC you make, offer one concrete idea, link relevant samples, and end with one simple ask. Follow up once after about a week.
Should I pitch brands by DM or email?
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Both can work. DMs suit smaller brands that are active on social. Email tends to work better when you can find a marketing or creative contact at a larger company. Use whichever channel the brand actually responds on.
Should I include rates in my first UGC pitch?
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Usually not. Lead with the idea and your samples, then share your rate card once the brand shows interest. That keeps the first message short and gives you a reason to reply.
How many brands should I pitch before expecting replies?
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Plan on thirty to fifty genuinely personalised pitches before you judge the results, and log each one so you follow up once. Reply rates sit in the low single digits, which is fine when a single yes is worth a few hundred dollars.
