We know pitching can be scary, it seems a lot at first but with strategy and proven converting templates, the process becomes a lot easier. Whether you're an aspiring content creator or an experienced UGC creator, this post will provide you with the strategies and best practices to turn your passion into a paycheck with UGC.

We'll explore three main avenues to secure deals: outbound, inbound opportunities, and UGC platforms. Plus, we'll cover how to pitch for beginners and share a sample pitch for free products. Let's get into it!

1. Outbounds 📧

Outbound efforts involve proactively reaching out to brands to pitch your services. This approach requires research, persistence, and a well-crafted pitch.

• You are reaching out or pitching to the brands. You find them.
• Use platforms like email, dms, and LinkedIn for outbound.
• You can also pitch to UGC agencies that will secure paid brand deals for you, like VITAMINC.

Research and Targeting

Before reaching out, research brands that align with your niche and values. Look for companies that have previously collaborated with content creators, as they're likely more open to partnerships. Find the decision maker's email + send an effective pitch.

To find the decision makers' email use a Chrome extension like LeadLeaper on LinkedIn to grab the emails of marketing directors, and influencer managers for your fav brands.

Email: Craft personalized and professional emails. Highlight your best work and explain how you can add value to the brand.

LinkedIn: Network with brand managers and marketing professionals. Keep your profile updated and showcase your portfolio.

DMs: Use Instagram and Twitter DMs to introduce yourself. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point. Attach your media kit or portfolio for instant impact.

Writing Your Pitch

A strong pitch is crucial to catching a brand's attention. Here's how to craft a compelling one:

1. Personalize Your Message: Address the brand by name and reference specific products or campaigns. Show that you've done your homework.

   • "Jane. I'm so pumped!"
   • "Carl, You're going to love this one!"

✅ Find decision-makers contact on LinkedIn (use LeadLeaper extension) such as the influencer coordinator, partnerships manager, head of socials, etc.
❌ Pitch to the generic customer service rep or employee that doesn’t work in marketing. If that’s the only option you have, always ask to be directed to the relevant marketing email in your CTA.

2. Highlight Your Value, Why Are You Reaching Out: Explain what makes you unique and how you can help the brand achieve its goals. Use specific examples of your past work and its impact to show how you can get similar results for their brand.

• "Marla, I think you're going to LOVE this! I see that 3 of your top competitors X, Y, and Z are all using UGC in their ads, I would love to make similar videos for your brand. Stop leaving money on the table and leverage a UGC strategy for authentic converting ads. I can send over a video I made for a client (received over 3,000 followers from the ad)"

3. Include Relevant Metrics + Social Proof: Share your follower count, engagement rate, and any other relevant statistics. Brands want to see the potential reach and impact of your content.

• "I've worked with X, Y, and Z and got them over 2M views combined"
• "My recent Ad I made for a client (in the same industry/niche) brought in over 200K views and 8.01% click to purchase rate" 

4. Call to Action: Do the work for the brand, never leave them with homework instead leave them with something they want to say YES to.

• "Would you mind if I send over a free video I made for your brand to showcase what I could do for you with UGC?"
• "I have a few ideas for Ads for [BrandName], could I send them over?"

Best Practices for Outbound Pitching

• Follow-up: If you don’t receive a response within a week, send a polite follow-up email.
• Be Professional: Maintain a professional tone and double-check for any spelling or grammatical errors.
• Be Persistent: Don’t get discouraged by rejections or non-responses. Keep refining your pitch and targeting the right brands.
• ✅ Short, sweet, to the point, and personalized. Make sure you use their name spelled correctly. Less is better, most people are skimming through tons of emails, pack it full of value for them but keep it concise. Take out the fluff.
• ❌ Generic ChatGPT pitch with a ton of puns. Long pitch talking about yourself and what you want out of the partnership.
• ✅ If you ask for something, always offer something in return.
• ❌ Making the brand do homework.

Sample Email Pitch for Paid Ad:

Subject: Collaboration Opportunity with [Brand Name]

Hi [Brand's Name],

I saw your most recent ad for [productname], I believe if you tried a UGC-style video you would see a lot higher conversion rate. My name is [Your Name], and I’m a UGC creator specializing in [Your Niche]. I’ve been a fan of [Brand's Product] for some time and believe my audience of [Your Follower Count] would love to learn more about your products.

I’m reaching out to propose a collaboration where I create engaging and authentic content featuring [Brand's Product]. I’ve attached examples of my previous work to give you an idea of my style and reach.

I’d love to send over a quick video auditing your profile and explaining a few ideas I have for ads!

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[Your Social Media Links]

2. Inbound Opportunities 📩

Inbound opportunities come to you, typically as a result of building a strong online presence and showcasing your work.

Building Your Brand

To attract inbound inquiries, focus on creating high-quality content and building a loyal audience. Engage with your followers regularly and maintain a consistent posting schedule.

Showcasing Your Work

Use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to display your content. Create a portfolio website to showcase your best work and make it easy for brands to see your potential.

Social Media: Post consistently on your platforms. Use relevant hashtags, engage with your audience, and showcase your best content. Use UGC in your bio and hashtag, the more searchable for brands the better.

• Use UGC in your bio and relevant hashtags (e.g. #skincareugc #ugcexample, #ugccreator

Portfolio: Keep an updated and visually appealing portfolio. Include your best UGC examples, metrics, and testimonials.

Networking

Attend industry events, webinars, and workshops to connect with other creators and brand representatives. Networking can lead to valuable introductions and collaborations.

Responding to Inquiries

When a brand reaches out to you, respond promptly and professionally. Ask for details about their goals and expectations, and be prepared to negotiate terms that align with your value.

Best Practices: Optimize your profiles with clear bio descriptions and contact information. Engage with your followers and other creators to boost visibility.

• The more searchable your portfolio + profiles = more inbounds.

3. UGC Platforms 👩🏼‍💻

UGC platforms like Brand Meets Creators connect creators with brands looking for collaborations. These platforms streamline the process and provide a marketplace for partnerships.

Here are a few more: Cohely, Trend.io, GRIN, Aspire.io

These are usually the lowest-paying of all the brand deals because the platform takes its cut but they also usually lower lift projects but they are still a great way to hit your monthly income goals.

Signing Up

Create a profile on UGC platforms, highlighting your niche, audience, and past work. Upload samples of your content and provide detailed information about your reach and engagement.

Browsing Opportunities

Regularly check the platform for new opportunities. Apply to campaigns that match your interests and strengths, and tailor your applications to each brand's requirements.

Best Practices for UGC Platforms

• Be Active: Regularly update your profile and apply to relevant campaigns.
• Provide Feedback: After completing a campaign, provide feedback to the platform and the brand to improve future collaborations.
• Leverage Reviews: Ask brands to leave reviews and endorsements on your profile to build credibility and attract more opportunities.
• When applying for gigs, stand out by providing value upfront for free.

Converting High-Paying Brand Deals

Securing high-paying brand deals requires a combination of strategy, professionalism, bundle packages, and showcasing your value. Here’s how to maximize your earning potential:

Demonstrate ROI

Brands invest in creators who can provide a return on investment. Highlight your engagement rates, conversion rates, and any sales data you have from past collaborations. Case studies are a great way of showcasing what you have done for other clients.

Offer Custom Packages

Create custom partnership packages that offer various levels of content + pricing. This allows brands to choose a package that fits their budget while maximizing your earning potential. You can upsell brands by overdelivering and sending 2 extra videos with watermarks for purchase upon delivering the final content. 

Negotiate Fairly

Don’t be afraid to negotiate your rates. Understand your worth and be prepared to justify your pricing based on the value you provide.

Build Long-Term Relationships

Focus on building long-term relationships with brands. Consistent, ongoing collaborations can lead to more stable and higher-paying opportunities. My first UGC deal was $3,000 from a brand which turned into over $12,000/month partnership with them for over a year.

Stay Professional

Always maintain a professional demeanor in all your communications. Timely responses, meeting deadlines, and delivering high-quality work are key to securing and retaining high-paying deals. Remember, underpromise, and overdeliver, a million creators are waiting to take your place so to stand out, offer as much value for the client and make it a no-brainer to work with you!

Conclusion

Landing paid brand deals as a UGC creator is both an art and a science. By leveraging outbound efforts, attracting inbound opportunities, and utilizing UGC platforms, you can create a steady stream of collaborations. Crafting compelling pitches, understanding brand goals, and showcasing your value is essential to converting these opportunities into high-paying deals.

At VITAMINC, we’re dedicated to helping you turn your passion into a paycheck. With these strategies and best practices, you’re well on your way to building a successful UGC career. Remember, persistence and professionalism are key. Keep refining your approach, and soon you’ll see the $$$$ from your efforts.

Ready to GO ALL IN with pitching and start landing dream clients? Check out our 100+ Brand Emails to pitch to make your first $2000 brand deal with UGC! Contacts for brands like Skims, Glossier, Allbrids + so many more. Only decision-maker emails, no generic contacts. 

Stay tuned for more insights, tips, and inspiration to help you succeed in the dynamic world of UGC and content creation.

xo

VITAMINC Team