Before You Pitch a Brand, Read This First

If you've been thinking, "I need to start pitching brands," I'm excited for you.

But before you hit send on that first email, I want to save you from making the same mistake I see over and over again.

Most creators think the hardest part of pitching is writing the email.

It isn't.

The hardest part is making sure you're actually ready for a brand to say yes.

Because here's the truth:

A great pitch can't fix an unprepared creator profile.

Brands don't just read your email; they click your Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or wherever you create. They're looking at your content, your consistency, your niche, and whether they can picture you representing their products.

That's why some creators send dozens of pitches without ever hearing back.

It isn't always because the email was bad.

It's because the foundation wasn't there.

Ask Yourself These Questions

Before pitching, can you confidently answer these?

• Is it obvious what type of content I create?

• Would a brand know who my audience is?

• Does my content feel consistent?

• Have I created content similar to what I want to get paid for?

• Does my profile look like someone brands can trust?

If you hesitated on any of those questions, don't worry, you are not behind.

You're simply not ready to pitch yet.

And that's actually good news because it's something you can fix.

Why I Created Before You Pitch

Over the last several years, I've worked with brands, managed campaigns, and helped creators improve the way they present themselves online.

I noticed something:

Creators were spending hours trying to perfect pitch emails when they hadn't done the work that makes those emails successful in the first place.

That's exactly why I created Before You Pitch.

Instead of jumping straight into writing emails, this workbook helps you evaluate your creator profile first.

Inside, you'll:

• Assess whether your content is brand-ready.

• Identify the areas holding you back.

• Build a stronger creator foundation.

• Gain confidence before reaching out to brands.

• Stop guessing whether you're ready to pitch.

Think of it as the step that should happen before you ever send a pitch email.

Your Pitch Starts Before the Email

Getting brand partnerships isn't about having the biggest following.

It's about showing brands that you're someone they can confidently work with.

When your content, profile, and positioning are aligned, your pitch becomes so much stronger.

If you're serious about working with brands, start with the foundation first.

Before You Pitch is available now, and it's designed to help you take that first step with confidence.

I can't wait to see where it takes you.

Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: The Mindset Shift Every Content Creator Needs

If there's one thing I wish every aspiring content creator understood, it's this:

You don't become ready by waiting. You become ready by doing the work.

It's easy to believe that successful creators had more confidence, more talent, or more experience before they started.

But that's rarely true.

Most of us started before we felt qualified. This rings super true when it comes to me.

I Didn't Feel Ready Either

When I started creating beauty content, I wasn't a makeup artist.

I hadn't spent years working behind a beauty counter or teaching makeup classes. In fact, I didn't really learn makeup until I was in my late 30s. It’s really crazy when you think about it.

For a long time, I convinced myself I needed to know more before I could share what I was learning.

Maybe you've had those same thoughts.

"I'll start posting when my videos look better."

"I'll pitch brands after I get more followers."

"I'll apply for that creator program next year."

Those thoughts feel responsible.

They're actually keeping you stuck.

Confidence Is Earned, Not Found

One of the biggest mindset shifts in my creator journey was realizing that confidence isn't something you discover. Trust me when I say that this is easier said than done.

It's something you build.

Every video you publish teaches you something.

Every Reel helps you become a better storyteller.

Every carousel improves your ability to educate your audience.

Every brand pitch teaches you how to communicate your value.

None of that happens while you're waiting…remember that.

The creators you admire didn't magically wake up confident one day.

They became confident because they kept showing up.

Waiting Feels Productive…But It Isn't

Waiting often disguises itself as preparation.

You tell yourself you're researching.

Learning.

Planning.

Perfecting.

Those things matter, but only if they eventually lead to action.

Otherwise, preparation becomes procrastination. I know quite a few people who have been preparing for YEARS. Not even gonna lie to y’all.

Your next level isn't hiding behind another YouTube tutorial or another notebook full of ideas.

It's hiding behind publishing your next piece of content.

My Creator Business Didn't Grow Because I Went Viral

If you've been following my journey, you know something important:

My creator business wasn't built because one video exploded overnight.

It grew because I kept showing up.

I filmed consistently.

I tested different content.

I learned from every campaign.

I improved one video at a time.

Those small actions added up.

Looking back, there wasn't a single moment when I suddenly felt "ready."

There were hundreds of moments when I chose action instead of perfection. To be honest, it’s always the videos that I didn’t feel ready for that did the best numbers. Why? Because I chose to show up, and that authenticity of being myself resonated with so many of you.

Three Things You Can Do This Week

If you're waiting for permission, this is it.

1. Publish the video you've been overthinking.

Done is better than perfect. PERIOD!

2. Pitch the brand you've been afraid to email.

The worst outcome is hearing "no." Never be afraid of the ‘no’s because it’s preparing you for the yes.

The best outcome could change your business.

3. Apply for the opportunity you don't think you'll get.

You don't get to decide you're not qualified before they do.

Let someone else tell you no.

Don't do it for them.

That motto alone is why I applied for the Ulta Beauty Collective for the third year. Every year that I’ve applied has prepared me for how to handle myself the following year. I continue to show up, despite not hearing yes, and continue to build my page and community.

Final Thoughts

Every creator reaches a point where they have to decide:

Will I wait until I feel confident?

Or will I create until I become confident?

The answer will shape your entire creator journey.

Because confidence isn't the prerequisite.

It's the reward.

So post the video.

Send the pitch.

Apply for the opportunity.

Start before you feel ready.

Your future self will thank you for it.

Enjoyed this article?

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Each issue is a quick 3–5 minute read filled with practical insights on content strategy, personal branding, creator mindset, and landing brand partnerships.

Join thousands of creators building with intention…one note at a time.

Stop Waiting for Brands to Find You. Build a Page They Want to Hire Instead

One of the biggest misconceptions I see from creators is this:

"Once I get enough followers, brands will start reaching out."

The truth?

Brands aren't just looking at your follower count. They're looking at your entire creator presence.

Every time someone from a brand lands on your page, they're asking themselves one question:

"Can I picture this creator representing our brand?"

If the answer isn't immediately clear, they'll move on.

The good news? Most of the things brands are looking for have nothing to do with having hundreds of thousands of followers.

Here are five ways to make your page more attractive to brands.

1. Make It Obvious What You Create

When someone lands on your profile, they should know exactly what kind of content you make within a few seconds.

If you're a beauty creator, your recent posts should consistently reflect that. If you create lifestyle content, your audience and brands should immediately understand your niche.

A clear focus helps brands quickly decide whether you're a good fit for a campaign.

2. Show Consistency, Not Perfection

You don't need viral videos every week.

Brands would much rather work with someone who consistently creates quality content than someone who went viral once and disappeared for a month.

Consistency builds trust. It shows you're dependable and serious about your craft.

3. Create Content That Looks Like a Partnership

One of the easiest ways to attract paid opportunities is to create content that already feels brand-ready.

Review products you genuinely love. Demonstrate how you use them. Share honest opinions. Tell stories.

When brands can easily imagine how you'd feature their product, you've already answered one of their biggest questions.

4. Make It Easy to Contact You

This sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many creators make themselves difficult to reach.

Include your email address in your bio. I’ve found that most brands won’t click the ‘email’ button on Instagram, so it’s best to just put it in your bio.

If a brand has to hunt for your information, there's a good chance they'll move on to someone else.

5. Think Like a Brand Manager

Before you hit publish, ask yourself:

"If I worked for this company, would I feel confident sharing this creator with my marketing team?"

That small mindset shift changes everything.

Instead of creating content just to chase views, you start creating content that builds credibility.

And credibility is what leads to long-term partnerships.

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Stop worrying about whether brands are finding your page.

Instead, focus on building a page that's ready when they do.

The creators who consistently land partnerships aren't always the ones with the biggest audiences. They're the ones who make it easy for brands to say yes.

If you're ready to take the next step, my workbook, The Pitch That Gets You Replies, walks you through the exact pitching framework I use to help creators write outreach emails that actually get responses.

A great pitch gets someone's attention, but a brand-ready page helps close the deal.

Work on both, and you'll put yourself in a much stronger position for future partnerships.