How to Approach Influencers for a Collaboration: DM and Email Templates for Brands (2026)
To approach an influencer, send a short, specific message: one line on what you liked in a recent post, what you're offering (a fee, a product or both), exactly what you'd like them to post, and by when. Small creators reply fastest when the offer is clear and fair; vague messages like "collab?" get ignored. Check their audience and rates before you write, follow up once after 3–4 days, and agree everything in writing before they film.
Before you message anyone
- • Check fit: their audience's city, age and interests should match your customers.
- • Check that the audience is real: engagement for their size, comments, Reel views.
- • Know the fair price for their size, so your offer isn't insulting or wasteful.
- • Write a one-page brief, so you can answer "what exactly do you need?" straight away.
How to check for fake followers →Influencer cost calculator →Free brief generator →
Template 1: first DM for a paid collaboration
"Hi [name], I'm [your name] from [brand], we make [product]. Loved your Reel on [specific topic], especially [detail]. We'd like to pay you [₹ amount] for 1 Reel and 2 stories about [product], posted by [date]. Happy to send the brief and our usual terms. Would you be interested?"
Template 2: first DM for a barter collaboration
"Hi [name], [brand] here. Your [topic] content is exactly what our customers love. We'd like to send you [product] (worth [₹ value]) to try. If you like it, we'd love 1 Reel or 3 stories by [date]; no pressure to post if it isn't for you. Can we send it over?"
Template 3: email version
Subject: Paid collaboration with [brand] — [product], [month]
"Hi [name], I'm [your name], [role] at [brand] ([website]). We're launching [product] and your audience is a great fit because [reason]. The offer: [₹ fee and/or product], for [deliverables], posted between [dates]. We'd like to reuse the video on our page [and run it as an ad for N days, paid extra]. The brief is attached. Could you share your rate card if this works for you? Thanks, [name, phone]"
Template 4: one follow-up after 3–4 days
"Hi [name], just checking you saw my message about [product]. Totally fine if it's not a fit, just let me know either way. Thanks!"
Send one follow-up only. If there's no reply, move on.
Template 5: confirming the terms
"Great, here's what we agreed: [deliverables], posted between [dates], [draft review: yes/no], fee [₹] paid by [UPI/bank] within [7] days of posting, [product sent by date], usage [organic only / ads for N days], and #ad or #collab in the first two lines. Please confirm and we'll get started."
Template 6: saying no politely
"Thanks so much for the quick reply and your rates. It's beyond our budget for this launch, but we'd love to work together on a future campaign. Will reach out then."
A polite no keeps the door open; creators talk to each other.
Mistakes that get you ignored
- • Copy-paste messages with no sign you've seen their content.
- • "Collab?" with no offer: creators can't answer a question you haven't asked.
- • Asking for a lot of work for a product worth far less than their rate.
- • Hiding usage rights or exclusivity until after they agree.
- • Asking them to pay anything, or to buy your product first.
- • Skipping disclosure: ASCI's guidelines require #ad or #collab on paid and barter posts.
Reach many creators at once on Hypee
Instead of messaging creators one by one, post a campaign on Hypee: creators who fit apply with their media kit, applicants are ranked by fit, and you approve the ones you want with your offer. You can also message any creator from their profile. Every collaboration comes with a click-accept agreement, you pay creators directly by UPI or bank transfer, and Hypee takes 0% commission. Posting up to 3 campaigns is free.