Most creators don’t lose opportunities because brands say no.
They lose them because they never follow up or they follow up badly.
In reality:
- most pitches are seen but forgotten
- inboxes are busy
- silence often means “not yet,” not “no”
This lesson shows you how to follow up professionally and confidently, so your pitch gets a second chance to be seen.
The Core Principle
Following up is normal business behaviour - not an interruption.
Brands expect follow-ups.
People who don’t follow up are forgotten.
Your job isn’t to apologise for checking in.
Your job is to politely resurface the conversation.
When to Send a Follow-Up
Timing matters more than wording.
Use this simple rule:
- First follow-up: 5-7 days after your initial pitch
- Second follow-up (optional): 3-7 days after the first follow up
You can generally send 4-5 follow-ups before moving on, as long as you space them out and don’t spam.
No reply after that is usually:
- bad timing
- low priority
- inbox overload
Not a reflection of you - and not the end of the opportunity.
What a Good Follow-Up Actually Does
A good follow-up:
- reminds them who you are
- references the original pitch
- makes replying easy
It does not:
- repeat the full pitch
- add pressure
- guilt them into replying
It needs to be short, calm and professional.
The 3 Follow-Up Types That Work Best
Having a few different follow-up approaches means you’ll never run out of things to say.
1️⃣ Simple Check-In
Here's a simple template for your first follow-up.
Example:
Hi [Name],
Just checking in on the message below in case it got lost - happy to share more details if helpful.
Best,
[Your name]
Why this works:
- polite
- neutral
- easy to reply to
This should be your default.
2️⃣ Value Reminder Follow-Up
Use this if your original pitch included something specific.
Example:
Hi [Name],
I wanted to quickly follow up on my previous message about creating photo and video content for [Brand Name].
Happy to answer any questions or adjust the idea if needed.
Best,
[Your name]
Why this works:
- reminds them what you offered
- keeps the door open
3️⃣ Polite Close-Out (Last follow up)
This is a template for your final message.
Example:
Hi [Name],
Just wanted to check in one last time before I close the loop on this.
If now isn’t the right time, no problem at all - feel free to reach out in the future.
Best,
[Your name]
Why this works:
- respectful
- removes pressure
- often prompts a reply
What to Avoid (Very Important)
Never:
- apologise excessively
- say “I know you’re busy”
- sound annoyed
- guilt them
- follow up daily
Avoid phrases like:
- “Just bumping this again…”
- “I haven’t heard back…”
- “Please let me know ASAP”
Confidence is quiet and respectful.
Email vs DM Follow-Ups
Follow up using the same channel as the original pitch.
- Email → email follow-up
- DM → DM follow-up
Switching channels might confuse people.
If you must switch (rare):
- wait at least 7-10 days
- keep it very light
Silence ≠ No (This Is Important)
A non-reply today does not mean:
- they disliked your pitch
- they’ll never collaborate
- you shouldn’t reach out again
It usually means:
- the timing wasn’t right
- they were busy
- the message was deprioritised
Many successful collaborations start with a second or third touchpoint weeks or months later - often with a slightly different angle.
Following up now keeps the door open.
Reaching out later is how deals actually happen.
When (and How) to Reach Out Again Later
If you’ve completed your follow-ups and still heard nothing, pause - don’t push.
You can re-open the conversation later when:
- you’re visiting the destination
- the season is changing
- the brand launches something new
- you have a new content idea
- you’ve grown or shifted your offering
When you do, treat it as a fresh pitch, not a continuation.
Example:
Hi [Name],
I reached out earlier this year about a possible collaboration - I’ll be in [location] next month and had a new content idea that could be a great fit for you.
No guilt.
No “following up again”.
Just a new relevent idea.
Your Next Steps (Take Action)
- Find one pitch you’ve already sent with no reply.
- Check when it was sent.
- If it’s been 5-7 days, send a simple check-in follow-up.
- Add a reminder to send one final follow-up in a week if needed.
When you’re done, you should have:
- one follow-up sent
- one reminder set
- zero anxiety about “being annoying”