How to Follow Up With a Brand Without Being Pushy

Most creator pitches do not get an immediate reply. That is rarely a sign of rejection. Brand managers, hotel marketers and agency teams handle crowded inboxes, shifting priorities and approval chains. A well-timed, polite follow-up is often the difference between a missed opportunity and a booked project. The key is to follow up in a way that adds value rather than pressure.

Why follow-ups work

Your first message might arrive on a busy day, get read on a phone and forgotten, or land with someone who needs to forward it. A follow-up:

brings your message back to the top of the inbox,
shows you are genuinely interested and organized,
gives you a chance to add something new and relevant.

Many professionals expect at least one follow-up before they reply.

Timing

A practical rhythm for pitches:

First follow-up: about five to seven business days after your original message.
Second follow-up: about a week or two after the first.
Then pause: if there is still no reply, move on and perhaps check back in a few months with fresh work.

Adjust for context. If a brand told you they would decide by a certain date, follow up just after that date. If you applied to a campaign with a stated deadline, wait until after the deadline before asking.

Keep it short

Follow-ups should be shorter than your original pitch. Two to four sentences is plenty. Reply in the same thread so the reader can see your original message without searching.

Add something new

The best follow-ups give a reason to reply:

a new piece of work relevant to the brand,
a timely idea, such as a seasonal angle or a recent launch you noticed,
a short concept for a video,
a change in your availability,
a simple question that is easy to answer.

Compare:

"Just checking if you saw my last email."
"I just filmed a morning routine that features a travel mug like yours; here's the link. Happy to put together something similar for your new colorways."

The second gives the reader something useful and makes replying easy.

Example follow-ups

First follow-up: "Hi [Name], following up on my note about creating summer content for [Brand]. I've added a recent beach-day video that shows the style I had in mind: [link]. Happy to share a couple of hook ideas if useful."

Second follow-up: "Hi [Name], I know inboxes get busy, so I'll keep this brief. If summer content isn't a priority right now, I'd love to stay in touch for future campaigns. Is there someone else on your team I should speak to?"

Adapt the wording to your voice.

What to avoid

Guilt or pressure: "I'm surprised I haven't heard back."
Too many follow-ups in a short period.
Following up on multiple channels at once: email, DM and comments on the same day.
Changing your offer drastically just to get a reply.
Long messages repeating your whole pitch.

Persistence is fine; pressure is not.

Choosing the right channel

Follow up on the channel where you first made contact, unless the brand has told you otherwise. If you emailed a partnerships address, follow up there. If you applied through a creator platform, use the platform's messaging. Jumping between channels can feel intrusive and makes it harder for the brand to keep track of your conversation. If a brand lists a preferred contact method on its website or profile, use that from the start.

Following up after a project

Follow-ups are not just for pitches. After a collaboration:

Send a thank-you note when the project wraps.
Share performance if you posted the content.
Check in a few weeks later to ask how the content worked for them.
Mention any relevant new formats or availability for upcoming seasons.

Post-project follow-ups often lead to repeat work, which is the most valuable kind of client.

Following up on payments

If a payment is late, follow up politely and factually, referencing the invoice and agreed terms. Our guide on handling late payments covers the steps.

Know when to move on

If two follow-ups get no response, stop for now. Keep a note and revisit in a few months with new work or a seasonal idea. Some brands reply much later, when budgets or priorities change. A graceful exit keeps that door open.

Track your outreach

A simple tracker makes follow-ups manageable. For each brand, note the date of your pitch, the contact, what you sent, follow-up dates and the outcome. Set reminders so follow-ups happen on time without relying on memory. Our guide on writing a cold pitch pairs well with this.

For brands: replying helps everyone

If you are a brand, a short reply, even a no, saves creators time and protects your reputation. A quick "not right now, but we'll keep your details" is enough. Creators remember brands that communicate respectfully.

Frequently asked questions

Is it rude to follow up? No. A polite, brief follow-up is standard professional practice.

Should I follow up by DM if email gets no reply? Use the channel the brand prefers. If they list an email for partnerships, stay there.

What if they reply "maybe later"? Thank them, ask when would be a good time to check back, and put a reminder in your calendar.

Unresourced makes it easier to connect with brands, agencies and hotels actively looking for creators, so fewer pitches disappear into crowded inboxes. Create a free creator account and apply to open campaigns.