Common Reasons Brands Reject Influencer Pitches (And How to Fix Them)

When you pitch a brand, you’re offering more than just a partnership, you’re showing them how you can help meet their goals.

Even great creators get turned down if their pitch doesn’t make a strong impression. Often, the problem isn’t the content or audience size. It’s the pitch itself.

By understanding where influencer pitches go wrong, you can improve yours and increase your chances of turning outreach into real deals.

What We Know From Data

• A 2024 Influencer Marketing Hub report found that 68% of brand managers skip influencer pitches that feel generic.

• Around 43% of brands reject pitches missing key data, like engagement rates or audience insights.

• CreatorsJet users have seen this too. One lifestyle creator with 20,000 Instagram followers struggled to get brand responses. After updating her media kit with audience demographics and engagement stats, she secured two paid partnerships in one month.

Why Brands Reject Influencer Pitches (and How to Fix Them)

The Pitch Feels Generic

Brands can tell when they’re receiving the same email you sent to 20 others. If your message doesn’t mention their product, campaign, or audience, they’ll likely pass.

✅ How to fix it: Take a moment to personalize your pitch. Mention a product you admire, a campaign you followed, or how your niche aligns with their brand.

The Media Kit is Weak or Missing

Without clear data, brands can’t evaluate your pitch. A follower count alone doesn’t show the full picture.

✅ How to fix it: Include a media kit that highlights:

• Your follower count and engagement rate

• Audience age, location, and interests

• Past collaborations or content examples

If you don’t have a media kit or you’re unsure what to include, this Media Kit Guide for Creators can help you create one that supports your pitch.

The Pitch Focuses Only on You

Pitches that only explain why you want to collaborate miss the point. Brands want to know what’s in it for them.

✅ How to fix it: Show how your content will help their goals, whether that’s driving awareness, boosting engagement, or supporting a product launch.

Your Content Isn’t the Right Fit

Sometimes rejection happens because your niche, style, or audience doesn’t align with the brand’s needs.

✅ How to fix it: Research the brand before you pitch. Make sure your audience and content match their target customers and values.

The Pitch Looks Unpolished

Typos, broken links, or unclear messages can make even a good pitch easy to ignore.

✅ How to fix it: Proofread your email, check that all links work, and make sure you’ve included your media kit, contact info, and a clear call to action.

How to Improve Your Pitch

A strong pitch is personal, clear, and focused on value. Instead of sending the same message to lots of brands, take time to tailor your outreach. Share data that shows your impact, highlight what the brand will gain, and make it easy for them to respond.

Quality beats quantity when it comes to pitches. A thoughtful approach helps you build real relationships with brands, and win more deals.

Quick Recap

• Generic pitches often get ignored, personalize every message.

• A good media kit with clear data shows brands your value.

• Focus on the brand’s needs, not just your own.

• Make sure you’re pitching to brands that fit your content.

• A polished, professional pitch gives you the best chance of success.

Conclusion

Getting a no from a brand isn’t the end, it’s a chance to learn and improve. By refining your pitch, sharing the right information, and focusing on how you can help, you’ll be ready to send outreach that gets noticed.

Apply these tips, and you’ll be on your way to building strong partnerships with brands that align with your work.