So, you’re looking to land your first Instagram sponsorship? 🎉
We get it - it can feel like a big leap, especially if you’re a smaller account reaching out to brands that seem just out of reach. But here’s the thing: you don’t need a million followers or a celebrity shoutout to get brands interested. Trust us - our travel account, @two_peas_abroad, is less than a year old, and we’ve already landed 10 brand deals, with more on the way!
How did we do it? With the right mix of:
- Effective outreach messages that catch attention
- Analytics that proves our value
- A genuine understanding of what brands want to see
In this article, we’re sharing 10 tried-and-true Instagram DM templates that will help you confidently pitch to brands and land that first sponsorship. And these aren’t just random templates - they’re based on what’s worked for us and what we’ve learned from running HiveHubAI, where we track data from thousands of Instagram accounts.
Here’s What We’ve Learned
Brands need more than just a nice message. They want proof that your followers are engaged, will click, and actually care. Each template here will show you how to:
- Add analytics to your pitch to back up your message and stand out
- Show brands exactly who your audience is and why they should work with you
With the right approach, that first sponsorship is closer than you think. So let’s dive in!
1. The “General Intro” Message
For: New influencers reaching out to brands for the first time and looking to build initial connections. This is ideal if you’re just getting started and aren’t sure how to craft a highly personalized pitch.
Hi [Brand Name]!
I’m [Your Name], and I run the Instagram account @[Your Handle], where I share [Your Niche] content. We’d love to work together to bring more awareness to your brand among our highly engaged [Your Niche] audience.
Let me know if you’d be interested in exploring a potential collaboration!
Thanks!
[Your Name]
Why It Works: This message is broad and versatile, making it easy to use with a wide range of brands. It introduces your niche and enthusiasm, which can grab attention. However, it’s a basic approach and won’t be as effective as the more refined, targeted templates below. We recommend using this as a starting point if you’re new to outreach, but as you gain confidence, switching to more personalized pitches will likely yield better results and stronger partnerships.
2. The “We’re Already Big Fans” Pitch
For: Brands whose products you’re already using or genuinely love.
Hey [Brand]!
We’re huge fans of your [Product/Service] and use it regularly during [Explain how you use their product]. Our followers love learning about products we personally rely on, so I’d love to discuss a potential collaboration to share your brand with them.
We have some ideas that could showcase your [Product/Service] in an authentic way. Let me know if you’re interested!
Thanks!
[Your Name]
Why It Works: Authenticity goes a long way! When you show that you’re already a fan, the brand sees you as a genuine supporter, not just someone looking for free products. This approach makes the partnership feel natural and credible, as followers can tell when you’re sharing something you truly like. Brands love knowing that you’ve already invested in their product, which signals that your content will come across as more sincere. This pitch is especially effective when you have genuine excitement for what they offer, making it easy for both sides to connect.
3. The “Audience Fit” Message
For: Brands that align well with your audience’s interests, like travel gear or local experiences.
Hi [Brand]!
I run @[Your Handle], where I [Your Niche]. Our audience is highly engaged with content around [relevant topics, e.g., budget travel, cultural experiences], and I think they’d love learning about [Brand Product/Service].
I’d love to chat about how we can showcase [Brand] in a way that resonates with our community!
Thanks!
[Your Name]
Why It Works: Brands want their products to reach people who care about what they offer. When you show that your audience is a natural fit for their products, it makes the partnership a smart move. By highlighting your followers’ interests and how they match the brand, you show that you understand both your audience and the brand’s needs. This pitch works because it’s all about alignment - when a brand’s target customer matches your audience, the brand gets excited about the partnership’s potential.
4. The “Seasonal or Timely” Approach
For: Brands with products that tie into specific seasons, events, or holidays.
Hi [Brand]!
With [upcoming season/event] around the corner, I think it’d be the perfect time to introduce your [Product/Service] to our audience at @[Your Handle]. They love discovering essentials for [relevant topic, e.g., travel-ready accessories, eco-friendly gifts].
Let’s chat about how we could work together to create a seasonal feature that gets them excited!
Thanks!
[Your Name]
Why It Works: Timing is key! Brands are often looking for seasonal collaborations, and showing that you’re thinking ahead makes you stand out. Mentioning an upcoming season or event shows the brand that you’re proactive and can help them reach your audience at just the right moment. This approach is especially effective when you know the brand could benefit from the extra visibility during a specific time. Seasonal pitches create urgency and make it easier for brands to see the immediate value in partnering with you.
5. The “Showcase Our Results” Pitch
For: Brands interested in seeing proof of engagement or past successful collaborations.
Hi [Brand]!
We recently collaborated with [similar brand or industry] and were able to drive over [X number of engagements/views] within a week. Our followers are very responsive to [related product category] content, and I think [Your Product/Service] would resonate well with them.
Let me know if you’d like to discuss a potential partnership!
Thanks!
[Your Name]
Why It Works: Numbers speak volumes. When you highlight successful results from past partnerships, you show that you can deliver. Brands feel more confident when they see you’ve created strong engagement or reached key goals before. This pitch is effective because it positions you as a proven creator who can bring real results. It’s especially helpful when reaching out to bigger brands, as they often prefer influencers who can back up their pitch with concrete examples.
6. The “Engagement Focus” Pitch
For: Brands that care more about engagement than follower count - perfect for smaller influencers.
Hey [Brand]!
At @[Your Handle], our followers are very engaged with our [Your Niche, e.g. travel & lifestyle] content. Even though we’re a smaller account, we consistently see engagement rates around [X%], which is way above industry average for our niche.
We’d love to work together to create something unique and impactful for your brand. Let us know if you’d be open to exploring a collaboration!
Best,
[Your Name]
Why It Works: Engagement often matters more than reach, especially for brands looking to connect with an active audience. This pitch works because it shows that you have a highly engaged community, which often means your followers are more likely to respond to your recommendations. Highlighting engagement is especially effective for smaller accounts, as it proves that even with fewer followers, you can create impact. Brands appreciate seeing high engagement because it usually means better chances for conversions or increased interest.
7. The “Specific Campaign Idea” Message
For: Brands that may be open to creative or unique campaigns.
Hi [Brand]!
I had a campaign idea for [Product/Service] that could be really fun for our audience at @[Your Handle]. We could create a mini video series showing how [Product/Service] enhances our [Your Content, e.g. travels and unique places we visit in Vietnam].
Would you be interested in hearing more about this concept? Let me know!
Thanks!
[Your Name]
Why It Works: Brands receive a lot of generic pitches, so offering a specific idea makes you stand out. When you come in with a clear campaign concept, the brand doesn’t have to imagine what the collaboration would look like - you’ve already painted the picture. This approach shows initiative, creativity, and an understanding of the brand’s goals. By offering a ready-made idea, you make it easy for the brand to say “yes” because they can already see the potential results.
8. The “Trial Campaign” Pitch
For: Brands that may be hesitant to commit to a long-term partnership with smaller accounts.
Hello [Brand],
We’d love the chance to work with [Product/Service] on a trial basis, perhaps with a one-off post or short campaign. This would allow us both to see how well our audiences connect, without a major commitment upfront.
If you’re open to it, I’d love to discuss what that could look like!
Thanks!
[Your Name]
Why It Works: Offering a trial campaign is a low-risk way for brands to test out the partnership. It shows you’re confident in your ability to deliver results and that you’re flexible. By suggesting a trial, you lower the barrier for entry, making it easier for the brand to agree to work with you, even if they’re uncertain. This approach often leads to long-term collaborations if the initial trial is successful. Brands appreciate the option to “test the waters” without a big commitment upfront.
9. The “Mutual Goals” Message
For: Brands with a clear mission or values that align with yours, like sustainability or cultural awareness.
Hey [Brand]!
At @[Your Handle], we’re big on promoting [Your Niche, e.g. sustainable travel and supporting local communities]. Your commitment to [mutual value, e.g., eco-friendly products] really resonates with us, and I believe our audiences would connect strongly with your mission.
We’d love to chat about how we can work together to showcase our shared values. Let me know if you’re interested!
Best,
[Your Name]
Why It Works: When you share similar values with a brand, the connection feels natural and sincere. Highlighting mutual goals - such as promoting eco-friendly travel or supporting local businesses - shows that the partnership is about more than just a transaction. This approach works because brands value creators who genuinely support their mission. It makes the partnership feel meaningful, and followers are more likely to trust content that aligns with their own values.
10. The “Audience Demographic” Pitch
For: Brands targeting specific demographics, like young travelers or budget-conscious consumers.
Hi [Brand]!
Our audience at @[Your Handle] consists mostly of [Your Demographic, e.g. yoing, budget-conscious travelers interested in discovering new experiences]. I think [Brand] would be a perfect fit for them, as your products align with their interests.
Let me know if you’d like to discuss a potential collaboration!
Thanks!
[Your Name]
Why It Works: Brands love seeing that their target audience aligns with yours. By focusing on your audience’s demographics, you demonstrate that you understand both your followers and the brand’s ideal customer. This approach works well because it directly addresses the brand’s marketing goals - they want their products in front of people who fit certain profiles, and you’re showing that you can provide that. It’s a straightforward way to prove that your followers are the right fit for their products.
Looking for More Ways to Impress Brands?
These DM templates are a great start to landing your first sponsorships, but remember: personalizing your outreach is key. Using HiveHubAI to back up your message with data makes your pitch even more compelling. And if you’re new to writing outreach messages, why not use ChatGPT as a practice tool?
Give it a try for creating drafts, brainstorming ideas, or testing different tones. With the right mix of data, creativity, and AI support, you’ll be landing sponsors in no time!
Get Sponsorship-Ready with HiveHubAI
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