Pitching Brands for Paid Blog Reviews: Email Templates

Sponsored blog reviews are one of the fastest ways to monetize a blog—but only if you know how to pitch brands effectively. Many bloggers wait for brands to contact them, missing thousands in potential income. The truth? You need to proactively pitch brands, and most say yes when approached professionally.

After securing over 150 sponsored partnerships (earning $300-$3,000 per review), I’ve refined the exact pitch strategy that lands paid collaborations consistently. In this guide, you’ll learn when you’re ready to pitch, how to find brands, proven email templates, rate guidelines, and negotiation tactics.

When You’re Ready to Pitch Brands

Don’t wait until you’re “big enough”—start pitching sooner than you think.

Minimum Requirements

Traffic: 1,000-5,000 monthly pageviews minimum

• Micro-influencers (1K-10K) can absolutely land paid reviews
• Some brands specifically seek smaller, niche audiences
• Quality engagement matters more than sheer numbers

Content Quality: 15-20 published posts

• Demonstrates consistency and professionalism
• Shows your writing style and niche focus
• Proves you’re serious, not a hobby blogger

Professional Setup:

• Custom domain (not yoursite.blogspot.com)
• About page with bio and contact info
• Media kit or rate card (template below)
• Active social media (at least one platform)

Engagement Signals:

• Comments on posts (shows active readership)
• Email subscribers (even 100-500 is valuable)
• Social media followers (quality over quantity)
• Time on page (2+ minutes average)

Which Brands to Target

Perfect-Fit Brands:

• Products you genuinely use and love (easiest to pitch and review authentically)
• Products in your niche (skincare for beauty blogs, tools for DIY blogs)
• Brands targeting your specific audience demographic
• Competitors to brands you already mention

Finding Brands to Pitch:

1. Your Own Usage: List 20 products/services you currently use and love
2. Affiliate Programs: Check ShareASale, CJ, Impact—these brands often do sponsored reviews too
3. Competitor Research: See who sponsors similar blogs in your niche
4. Social Media: Brands actively engaging with influencers on Instagram/TikTok
5. Google Searches: “[Your niche] brand collaborations” or “[your niche] sponsored posts”

How to Find Brand Contact Information

Best Contact Methods (in order):

1. PR/Marketing Email: Look for press@brand.com, marketing@brand.com on their website
2. Influencer Marketing Contact: Some brands have dedicated influencer pages
3. LinkedIn: Find marketing managers or brand partnerships roles
4. Contact Form: Last resort, but works if no email is visible
5. Social Media DMs: Instagram/Twitter DMs can work for smaller brands

Where to Find Contact Info:

• Brand website footer
• “Press” or “Partnerships” pages
• “About” or “Contact Us” pages
• LinkedIn company page → Find employees
• WHOIS domain lookup (sometimes shows registrant email)

Creating Your Media Kit and Rate Card

Before pitching, prepare a one-page media kit showcasing your value.

Essential Media Kit Elements

1. Header: Blog name, logo, tagline 2. About: 2-3 sentences about your blog and audience 3. Statistics:

• Monthly pageviews
• Email subscribers
• Social media followers
• Engagement rate (if impressive)
• Demographics (age, location, interests)

4. Services Offered:

• Sponsored blog posts
• Social media promotion
• Product reviews
• Gift guides
• Video content (if applicable)

5. Rates:

• Sponsored blog post: $X-$X (based on word count/scope)
• Social media package: $X
• Bundle deals available

6. Past Collaborations: List 3-5 brands you’ve worked with (or similar brands in your niche) 7. Contact Information: Email, social media handles

Format: PDF (1 page, visually appealing) Tools: Canva (free templates), Adobe Express, Google Slides

Setting Your Rates

Rate Factors:

• Traffic volume
• Niche (finance/tech pays more than entertainment)
• Engagement level
• Your experience
• Time investment
• Usage rights requested

Beginner Rate Guidelines:

Traffic Level	Base Sponsored Post Rate
1,000-5,000/month	$150-$300
5,000-10,000/month	$300-$500
10,000-25,000/month	$500-$1,000
25,000-50,000/month	$1,000-$2,000
50,000-100,000/month	$2,000-$5,000

Add-On Pricing:

• Social media promotion: +25-50% of base rate
• Video content: +50-100%
• Extended usage rights: +25-50%
• Exclusivity clause: +50-100%

Formula: (Monthly pageviews ÷ 1,000) × ($0.10-$0.50) = Base rate

Example: 10,000 pageviews ÷ 1,000 = 10 × $0.30 = $300 base rate

Start at the lower end, increase as you gain experience and proven ROI.

The Pitch Email Template That Works

Here’s the proven template I’ve used to land 150+ partnerships:

Template: Initial Brand Pitch

Subject Line Options:

• “Blog Partnership Opportunity: [Your Blog Name] x [Brand Name]”
• “Collaboration Proposal for [Brand Name]”
• “[Your Niche] Blog Partnership Inquiry”

Email Body:

Hi [Contact Name],

I'm [Your Name], the creator of [Blog Name], a [niche] blog 
reaching [number] [target audience] monthly.

I've been a genuine fan of [Brand/Product] for [timeframe/reason], 
and I believe my audience would love to learn more about 
[specific product/service].

[Blog Name] focuses on [your niche/topics], and my readers are 
actively looking for [solution your blog provides that relates 
to their product]. Recent posts like "[Post Title]" and 
"[Post Title]" have resonated particularly well, with 
[engagement metric].

I'd love to collaborate on a sponsored blog post featuring 
[Product Name], including:
• Detailed review (800-1,200 words)
• High-quality photography/screenshots
• Social media promotion (Instagram/Pinterest)
• SEO optimization for long-term visibility

My rates start at $[X] for a comprehensive sponsored post. 
I've attached my media kit with full statistics and past 
collaboration examples.

Would you be open to a partnership? I'd be happy to discuss 
how we can create content that drives real results for [Brand].

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Blog Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Social Media Links]

P.S. Here's a recent sponsored post example: [Link]

Template Variations

For Smaller/Local Brands: Emphasize your local audience and community influence. Offer lower rates or product-for-post exchanges.

For Brands You’ve Featured (Unpaid):

Hi [Name],

I've featured [Product] in my recent post "[Title]" ([link]) 
and wanted to reach out about future paid collaboration 
opportunities.

The post has generated [traffic/engagement stats], and my 
readers have shown strong interest in [Product]. I'd love 
to explore a sponsored partnership...

For Brands in Your Affiliate Program:

Hi [Name],

I'm currently an affiliate for [Brand] and have been promoting 
[products] to my [number] monthly readers. Given the success 
([conversion data if available]), I believe a sponsored review 
would provide even greater value for both audiences.

I'd love to discuss a paid collaboration...

The Follow-Up Strategy

Most successful pitches require follow-ups. Don’t give up after one email.

Follow-Up Timeline:

Day 0: Send initial pitch Day 5-7: First follow-up (if no response) Day 14: Second follow-up (if still no response) Day 30: Final follow-up or move on

Follow-Up Email Template:

Hi [Name],

I wanted to follow up on my email from [date] regarding a 
partnership opportunity between [Blog Name] and [Brand].

I'd love to chat about how I can help [Brand] reach [your 
audience description]. Would [specific day/time] work for 
a quick call?

Thanks,
[Your Name]

Follow-Up Best Practices:

• Keep it shorter than original email
• Reference previous email date
• Add new information if possible (recent traffic spike, relevant new post)
• Suggest a specific time for a call
• After 3 follow-ups with no response, move on

Negotiating Rates and Terms

Once a brand expresses interest, negotiation begins.

What to Negotiate

Beyond Price:

• Deliverables (word count, images, social promotion)
• Timeline (when content goes live, how long it stays published)
• Usage rights (can they repost your content? For how long?)
• Exclusivity (can you review competitors?)
• Product provision (do they send product for free?)
• Payment terms (upfront, 50/50, or upon completion?)

Negotiation Scripts

When Offered Lower Than Your Rate:

Thank you for the offer. I appreciate your interest! Given 
the comprehensive nature of the content (800+ words, 
professional photography, social promotion, and SEO 
optimization), my standard rate is $[X].

However, I'd be happy to discuss a package that fits your 
budget while still delivering strong value. Would you be 
open to [alternative, e.g., shorter content, fewer social 
posts] at $[Y]?

When Asked “What Are Your Rates?”:

My sponsored post rates start at $[X] for a comprehensive 
review, which includes [deliverables]. Rates can vary based 
on specific requirements, timeline, and usage rights.

What's your budget range for this collaboration?

Negotiation Tips:

• Always ask their budget first if possible
• Start 15-20% higher than your minimum
• Be willing to adjust deliverables, not just price
• Highlight the long-term value (SEO brings traffic for years)
• Don’t accept less than $100 unless you’re building portfolio

Learn more about building a monetization strategy that includes multiple income streams.

Writing the Sponsored Review

Once you’ve agreed on terms, deliver exceptional content.

Sponsored Post Best Practices

Structure:

1. Introduction: Personal connection to product, why you’re reviewing it
2. Background: What the product is, who it’s for
3. Features: Key features and specifications
4. Experience: Your honest experience using it (most important section)
5. Pros and Cons: Honest assessment
6. Comparison: How it compares to alternatives (if relevant)
7. Verdict: Who should buy it, final thoughts
8. Call-to-Action: Link to product (with discount code if provided)

Disclosure Requirements: FTC requires clear disclosure. Add at the beginning of the post:

"This post is sponsored by [Brand]. I received [product/compensation] 
in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own and honest."

Maintain Authenticity:

• Share genuine pros AND cons
• Only accept sponsorships for products you actually like
• Use the product before writing (don’t review based on specs alone)
• Include personal photos/screenshots when possible
• Write in your normal voice and style

SEO Optimization:

• Target long-tail keywords (“[Brand] review,” “Is [Product] worth it?”)
• Include product name in title and headings
• Add alt text to product images
• Internal link to related content
• Create long-lasting value (content ranks for years)

Learn more about optimizing blog posts for SEO.

Scaling Your Sponsored Post Income

Once you’ve landed a few sponsorships, scale strategically.

Building Long-Term Partnerships

After Successful Collaboration:

1. Send performance report (traffic, engagement, conversions if tracked)
2. Request testimonial for your portfolio
3. Propose ongoing partnership (quarterly reviews, seasonal features)
4. Ask for referrals to other brands

Performance Reporting Template:

Hi [Brand Contact],

The sponsored post for [Product] went live [date] and has 
performed excellently:
• [X] pageviews in first month
• [X] social media impressions
• [X] comments/engagement
• [Additional metrics]

I'd love to explore future collaborations. Would [Brand] be 
interested in a quarterly partnership or seasonal product 
features?

Best,
[Your Name]

Growing Your Rates

Increase rates when:

• Traffic grows 50-100%
• You have 5+ successful sponsored posts
• Engagement metrics improve
• You’ve added significant social following
• Brands accept your initial rate immediately (sign you’re underpriced)

Rate Increase Strategy:

• Raise rates every 6-12 months
• Grandfather existing brand partners at old rates
• Test higher rates with new pitches
• Be confident—don’t apologize for rate increases

Pitch Volume Strategy

Monthly Goal: Pitch 10-20 brands Expected Response Rate: 10-20% (1-4 positive responses per 20 pitches) Conversion to Paid: 50% of interested brands (1-2 sponsored posts per 20 pitches)

Time Investment:

• 2-3 hours per week pitching (research, personalization, sending)
• Results appear in 2-4 weeks typically
• Compound over time as you build reputation

Your 30-Day Sponsored Post Action Plan

Week 1: Preparation

• Create media kit
• Set initial rates
• Build list of 30 brands to pitch
• Write 2-3 sample sponsored posts (even unpaid) for portfolio
• Set up professional email signature

Week 2: First Pitches

• Personalize and send 10 pitch emails
• Follow up on any responses
• Research 10 more brands
• Refine pitch based on any feedback

Week 3: Scale and Follow-Up

• Send 10 more pitches
• Follow up on week 2 pitches (after 5-7 days)
• Negotiate any interested brands
• Continue building brand list

Week 4: Close and Deliver

• Close first sponsored deal(s)
• Write and publish sponsored content
• Send performance updates to brands
• Send final follow-ups on outstanding pitches
• Plan next month’s pitching strategy

Expected Results:

• Month 1: 1-2 sponsored posts, $150-$600 total
• Month 2-3: 2-4 sponsored posts, $400-$1,500 total
• Month 4+: 4-8 sponsored posts, $800-$3,000+ total

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Monetization

Don’t wait for brands to find you—proactively pitch brands and take control of your blog’s monetization. Sponsored posts can generate significant income even with modest traffic when you approach brands professionally.

Key Takeaways:

• Start pitching when you hit 1,000-5,000 monthly pageviews
• Personalize every pitch email (no generic templates)
• Create a professional media kit and clear rate card
• Set rates based on value, not just traffic ($150-$500 for beginners)
• Follow up 2-3 times before moving on
• Deliver honest, high-quality reviews that maintain trust
• Build long-term partnerships with performance reporting

Start today: Choose 5 brands you genuinely use, find their contact information, and send personalized pitches this week. Your first sponsored post is one email away.

For more monetization strategies, explore our guides on affiliate marketing, creating digital products, and building a comprehensive monetization strategy.