You’ve built your portfolio. You know where to find brands. Now comes the moment of truth: the pitch.
A great pitch can land you a client even with zero experience. A bad pitch can get you ignored even with a stellar portfolio. The difference isn’t luck – it’s strategy. Brands receive dozens of pitches every week. Yours needs to stand out in under 10 seconds.
This guide gives you done‑for‑you templates for every situation: cold email, DM, responding to a brief, following up, and asking for repeat business. Use them, customize them, and watch your response rate climb.
Why Most Pitches Fail (And How Yours Won’t)
| Problem | Why It Fails | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Too long | Brand managers scan, they don’t read | Keep it under 150 words |
| Too generic | “I love your brand” – says everyone | Reference something specific |
| No portfolio link | They won’t ask for it; they’ll just move on | Link in the first message |
| All about you | They don’t care about your journey | Focus on what you can do for them |
| No clear ask | They don’t know what you want | State your offer plainly |
| Desperation tone | “Please give me a chance” kills credibility | Be confident and professional |
The Anatomy of a Perfect Pitch
Every pitch should have these five components:
- Hook – A specific reference that shows you’re not copying and pasting
- Social proof – Your best portfolio samples (link)
- Offer – What you’ll deliver, in simple terms
- Call to action – What they should do next
- Professional close – Name, link, polite sign‑off
Template 1: Cold Email / DM to a Brand You’ve Never Worked With
Best for: Small to mid‑size D2C brands, local businesses, brands that already use UGC.
Subject line: UGC creator for [Brand Name] – quick samples inside
Message:
Hi [Name or “Team [Brand]”],
I’ve been following [Brand Name] for a few months – your [specific product or post] really caught my attention.
I’m a UGC creator who specializes in [your niche: beauty / tech / home / etc.]. I put together a few quick samples that match your aesthetic:
[Link to portfolio or specific video]
I’d love to create 1‑2 short videos for you to test. My rates are competitive, and I’m looking for brands to build a long‑term relationship with.
Are you open to a quick paid test project?
Best,
[Your Name]
[Link to portfolio / Instagram / TikTok]
Why this works:
- Specific hook shows you actually know their brand
- You name your niche (confidence)
- You offer a low‑risk test project
- Clear, short, professional
Template 2: Responding to a Brief on a Marketplace (UGC.Click, Billo, etc.)
Best for: When a brand has already posted a project and you’re applying.
Message:
Hi [Brand Name],
I’ve reviewed your brief and I’m excited about this project. My portfolio includes a few samples that match your request:
[Link to 1‑2 relevant videos]
I can deliver the first draft within [X days] and include [raw footage / captions / one round of revisions] as you requested.
My rate for this project would be $[X], which includes [list deliverables].
Let me know if you have any questions – I’d love to work with you.
Best,
[Your Name]
Why this works:
- You show you actually read the brief
- You reference your relevant samples
- You restate deliverables and price clearly
- No fluff, just facts
Template 3: Cold DM on Instagram / TikTok
Best for: Visual brands, smaller accounts, when you want to be more casual.
Message:
Hey [Brand Name]! Love your [specific product / recent post]. I’m a UGC creator in the [niche] space – here’s my portfolio:
[Link]
I can make 2 short videos for you to test. My rates start at $[X]. Let me know if you’re interested!
Thanks,
[Your Name]
Why this works:
- Short enough to read in 10 seconds
- Direct and confident
- Easy to reply “yes” or ask for more info
Template 4: Follow‑Up (No Response to First Pitch)
Best for: 5‑7 days after your first message with no reply.
Subject line: Quick follow‑up – [Brand Name]
Message:
Hi [Name],
Just wanted to follow up on my previous message. I’m still very interested in creating some UGC for [Brand Name].
Here’s my portfolio again in case you missed it:
[Link]
Let me know if you’d like to see a custom sample or hop on a quick call.
Best,
[Your Name]
Why this works:
- Polite, not pushy
- Assumes they might have missed it (which happens often)
- Offers an easy next step
Template 5: Asking for Repeat Business (After a Successful Project)
Best for: Clients you’ve already worked with and who were happy.
Subject line: More UGC for [Brand Name]?
Message:
Hi [Name],
So glad you loved the [previous project name] videos! I really enjoyed working with you.
I have some availability next week and wanted to see if you need any more content – new product shots, tutorials, or just some fresh social videos.
Happy to keep the same rate of $[X] per video. Let me know what you think!
Best,
[Your Name]
Why this works:
- References the successful past work
- Makes it easy to say yes
- Keeps the relationship warm
Template 6: Offering a “Testimonial Trade” (For Beginners with No Experience)
Best for: When you have a portfolio but no paid work or testimonials.
Message:
Hi [Brand Name],
I’m a new UGC creator building my portfolio, and I love your products. I’d like to offer you one free video in exchange for a written testimonial and permission to use the video in my portfolio.
Here’s a sample of my work:
[Link]
If you’re interested, just say yes – I’ll send you the video within 3 days.
Best,
[Your Name]
Why this works:
- Zero risk for the brand
- Clear offer
- You get a testimonial and a real project
What to Include in Every Pitch (Checklist)
- Specific hook – reference something about their brand
- Your niche – “UGC for skincare brands” not just “UGC creator”
- Portfolio link – make it clickable and easy to find
- Clear offer – “1‑2 short videos for $X”
- Call to action – “Let me know if you’re interested”
- Professional sign‑off – your name + link
- Proofread – no spelling errors, no “u” instead of “you”
What Not to Include in a Pitch
| Don’t | Why |
|---|---|
| “I’m just starting out” | Undermines your confidence |
| “I really need this” | Sounds desperate |
| Long life story | They don’t have time |
| Emojis everywhere (in email) | Unprofessional for most brands |
| Attachments (instead of links) | They won’t open them |
| “I have no experience but…” | Then why should they hire you? |
How to Track Your Pitches (Simple Spreadsheet)
| Date | Brand | Platform | Contact Person | Message Sent? | Followed Up? | Response | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | Glow Beauty | UGC.Click | — | Yes | — | “Interested” | Negotiating |
| 4/8 | Urban Home | DM | @urbanhome | Yes | Yes | No reply | Follow up |
| 4/7 | FitWear | sarah@fitwear | Yes | — | “Not now” | Closed |
Track your outreach so you know what’s working and where to improve.
Real‑Life Example: A Pitch That Landed a $2,000 Monthly Retainer
Creator: Mia, 26, beauty niche, 6 months of experience
The pitch (DM to a small skincare brand):
“Hey @glowingskinco – I’ve been using your vitamin C serum for months and it’s legit the only one that doesn’t break me out. I make UGC videos for skincare brands – here’s my portfolio [link]. I can make 2 videos for you to test for $150. Let me know!”
Response: “Love your energy! Let’s try 2 videos. If they work out, can we talk about a monthly thing?”
Outcome: The test videos performed well. The brand offered her $500/month for 4 videos. After 3 months, they raised it to $2,000/month for 12 videos.
Why it worked: Specific hook (their serum), confident offer, easy next step.
Your 14‑Day Pitching Plan
Week 1: Preparation
- Write 3 versions of your pitch (short, medium, detailed)
- Create a spreadsheet to track outreach
- Identify 30 brands to pitch (mix of marketplaces and direct outreach)
Week 2: Outreach
- Send 5‑10 pitches per day (don’t burn out)
- Follow up once on any unanswered pitches after 5‑7 days
- Respond quickly to any replies
- Track what’s working and adjust your templates
Ongoing
- Add new brands to your list weekly
- Refresh your portfolio with new samples
- Keep your templates updated with your latest rates
The Bottom Line
Pitching is a numbers game. Even the best template won’t get a 100% response rate. But with a clear, confident, value‑focused pitch, you can expect to hear back from 10‑20% of brands you contact. From those, maybe half will turn into paid projects.
Don’t get discouraged by silence or rejection. Every “no” gets you closer to a “yes.” Keep refining your pitch, keep your portfolio fresh, and keep showing up.
Your first paid client is out there – they just haven’t seen your message yet.
Ready to Start Pitching?
The best place to find brands actively looking for creators is a marketplace.
👉 Create your free profile on UGC.Click and start applying to real briefs today. Use the templates above, customize them with your voice, and land your first (or next) paid project.
UGC.Click: Connect. Create. Convert. Pitch Like a Pro.