What You Need Before Pitching Brands
Before reaching out to brands, ensure you have these fundamentals:
4 Methods to Get Brand Deals
Use all four methods simultaneously to maximize opportunities:
Method 1: TikTok Creator Marketplace
TikTok's official platform for brand-creator partnerships. Brands browse creators and send collaboration invites.
Requirements:
- 10,000+ followers
- 100,000+ video views (last 28 days)
- 18+ years old
- Account in good standing (no violations)
How to apply:
- Go to TikTok app → Profile → Three lines (☰) → Creator Tools
- Select "Creator Marketplace" → "Apply"
- Complete your creator profile (add portfolio, niche, demographics)
- Wait 7-14 days for review
- Once approved, brands can discover and message you directly
Pros: Vetted brands, built-in contracts, TikTok handles disputes, consistent deal flow
Cons: TikTok takes a percentage, high competition, requires 10K followers
Method 2: Influencer Marketing Platforms
Third-party platforms connecting creators with brands. Great for finding multiple opportunities.
Top platforms for TikTok creators:
Pros: Lower follower requirements, multiple platforms = more opportunities, some offer free products + cash
Cons: Platform takes 15-25% cut, varying quality of brands, may require exclusivity
Method 3: Direct Outreach (Cold Pitching)
The highest-paying method: pitch brands directly, no middleman. Requires hustle but keeps 100% of earnings.
Step-by-step outreach process:
- Build target list: Make a spreadsheet with 20-50 brands in your niche. Include contact info (marketing email, LinkedIn profile of CMO).
- Research each brand: Check their social presence. Are they already working with influencers? What content style do they like?
- Create custom pitch: No templates. Explain WHY you're a fit (your audience aligns with their customers). Include 1-2 content ideas specific to their products.
- Find decision-maker: Don't email [email protected]. Find the marketing manager or social media director on LinkedIn. Use tools like Hunter.io to find emails.
- Send short pitch: 5-7 sentences max. Subject line: "Partnership idea: [Your Niche] content for [Brand]". Attach media kit PDF.
- Follow up: If no response in 5 days, send a polite follow-up. If still no response, move on after 2 follow-ups.
Email Template Example:
Subject: Partnership idea: Fitness content for [Brand]
Hi [Name],
I'm [Your Name], a fitness creator on TikTok with 35K engaged followers (4.5% engagement rate). My audience is primarily 18-34 year old women interested in at-home workouts and healthy eating.
I love [Brand's specific product] and think it would resonate with my audience. I have two content ideas:
- "5-minute morning routine using [product]" (trending format)
- Before/after results video (authentic testimonial)
I've attached my media kit with stats and past partnerships. Would you be open to a collaboration?
Looking forward to hearing from you! [Your Name] [TikTok handle] [Email]
Pros: No platform fees (keep 100%), higher rates, build direct relationships, creative freedom
Cons: Time-consuming, low response rate (2-5%), requires negotiation skills, you handle contracts
Method 4: Let Brands Come to You (Inbound)
The dream: brands reach out to you. This happens when you optimize your profile for discoverability.
How to attract inbound deals:
- Add business email to bio: "Collabs: [email protected]" or "Business: [email protected]"
- Switch to Business Account: Settings → Manage Account → Switch to Business Account. This adds "Contact" button to your profile.
- Create "portfolio" content: Occasionally create videos reviewing products (even unpaid). Brands search for creators already talking about their category.
- Use branded hashtags: If you love a brand, tag them and use their hashtags. They monitor these for potential partners.
- Engage with brand accounts: Comment on their TikToks, duet their content. Get on their radar organically.
- Post media kit as pinned video: Create a "Work with me!" video showcasing your stats. Pin it to profile.
Pros: Passive income stream, brands that reach out often have bigger budgets, less competition
Cons: Unpredictable, requires larger following (usually 25K+), takes time to build reputation
How to Create a Media Kit (Free Template)
A media kit is your professional resume for brands. It should be a 1-page PDF with these sections:
Pro Tip: Use Canva (free) to create a professional media kit. Search "influencer media kit" in Canva templates and customize with your info. Export as PDF.
5 Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Calculate Your Brand Deal Rate
Use our free calculator to see what you should charge brands based on your followers, engagement, and niche.