How to Pitch Brands as a Pet Influencer

By Iana, co-founder of Nicole & Nora

Most brand deals don't come from being discovered — they come from a creator sending a good email first. Pitching is a skill, and it's very learnable.

If you've read our guide on getting pet brand deals, you know pitching is step one. This guide zooms in on the pitch itself: how to find the right person, write an email that gets opened and answered, and follow up without being annoying. Templates included.

Step 1: Find the right contact

A perfect pitch sent to the wrong inbox goes nowhere. To find the right person:

• Check the brand's site for a "collabs," "creators," or "partnerships" page — many have a form or a dedicated email.
• Look for a marketing or influencer contact on LinkedIn (titles like "influencer marketing," "partnerships," "brand").
• DM as a last resort. A short, warm Instagram DM can work for small brands, but email is more professional and easier to attach a media kit to. Pitching from your own domain (like collabs@yourpetname.com) reads a notch more legit than a Gmail — you can set one up with Google Workspace. (referral — you get 10% off, we may earn a reward at no cost to you)
• Start with small and mid-size pet brands — they reply faster and say yes more often than big corporations.

Step 2: The anatomy of a pitch that works

Keep it short — five or six sentences. Every pitch that gets replies has the same bones:

1. A specific subject line. Not "Collaboration" — something concrete like "Pet content idea for [Brand] 🐾".
2. A genuine one-line hook showing you actually know the brand.
3. Who you are in a sentence — your pet, niche, and engaged audience.
4. A concrete content idea — tell them what you'd make, don't just ask for a deal.
5. Proof — a result or your media kit.
6. One clear ask — a short question that's easy to say yes to.

Step 3: Copy-paste pitch templates

Adapt the bracketed parts — the specifics are what get replies.

Before you send it, make sure your rate is set — our free pet influencer rate calculator turns your follower count and engagement into a figure you can quote with confidence.

A warmer, gifting-first version for when you're brand new:

Step 4: The follow-up (where deals are won)

Most creators send one email and give up. A single, polite follow-up roughly a week later can double your reply rate. Keep it to two lines:

Follow up once, maybe twice. After that, move on — and revisit in a few months.

Common pitching mistakes

• Being vague. "I'd love to collaborate" gives them nothing to say yes to. Pitch a specific idea.
• Making it about you. Lead with what the brand gets — engaged pet parents who trust your recommendations.
• No proof. Attach a media kit; it makes you look instantly more legit.
• Giving up after one email. The follow-up is where a lot of yeses live.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the right person to pitch at a brand?

Check the brand's site for a creators/partnerships page or email, search LinkedIn for influencer-marketing or partnerships roles, and use Instagram DMs only as a last resort for small brands.

What should the subject line be?

Specific and concrete, like "Pet content idea for [Brand] 🐾" — not generic words like "Collaboration," which get ignored.

How many times should I follow up?

Once, about a week later, with a short two-line nudge — maybe twice. After that, move on and revisit in a few months.

Do I need a media kit to pitch?

It's highly recommended. Attaching a one-page media kit answers a brand's questions up front and sets you apart from creators who don't have one.