So a Brand Reached Out… Now What?

The influencer’s guide to spotting real deals, knowing your worth, and showing up professionally

It starts off innocent enough, an unfamiliar name shows up in your DMs or inbox. They’re “a big fan of your content” and they “just know” you’d be the perfect fit for a campaign they’re running.

You pause. Is this real? Or another scam buried in flattery and a weird link?

Listen, I’ve been there. And if you’re a creator, especially one with a growing presence online; chances are you’re getting these messages too. Sometimes they’re legit opportunities, and sometimes they’re sugar coated ways to waste your time or take advantage of your creativity.

Let’s talk about how to actually tell the difference, what to do when a brand is serious, and why knowing your influencer content package is just as important as knowing your camera settings.

🕵🏽‍♂️ Spotting Real vs. Fake Collabs

Here’s the truth, not all that glitters is gold, especially on Instagram.

🚩 Red Flags (Usually Fake)

• Generic greetings like “Hey influencer” or “Hello dear”
• Weird email domains (e.g., @gmail.com instead of @brand.com)
• Requests to buy a product first for a collab
• Broken English with odd sentence structure
• Asking for only your email or personal info to “send more details”
• Sketchy links to “apply for the campaign”

Most of these are either phishing scams, MLM traps, or just glorified coupon codes pretending to be brand deals.

✅ Green Flags (Likely Real)

• They address you by name or handle
• They reference something specific about your content
• Their email comes from a professional domain
• They include a clear ask and some kind of budget or rate convo
• They’re open to signing a contract or discussing terms

Real brands are going to respect your time and treat the interaction like a business exchange, because it is.

💼 What’s an Influencer Content Package?

When a brand is legit and interested, it’s your job to come correct. No more “what do you want me to do?” energy. That’s where your influencer content package comes in.

Your content package is your offer. It outlines what you’ll deliver, how they can use it, and what it costs. It’s how you position yourself not just as a content creator, but as a creative professional.

Here’s what mine usually includes:

• 1 Reel (30–50 seconds) – Edited, engaging, formatted for social
• 3–5 High-Resolution Photos – Product shots, lifestyle, or creative direction
• 1 Round of Revisions – So it meets their vision too
• 30-Day Usage Rights – For social use only, unless extended
• Organic Posting – If it aligns with my page and audience

And then I have add-ons for things like:

• Whitelisting (so they can run ads through my content)
• Extended rights
• Expedited delivery

💰 What Should You Charge?

I’ll be real with you: pricing is one of the hardest parts. It took me a while to figure out what my time, access, and creative direction were truly worth.

Here’s a general breakdown based on creators with 10k–50k followers and average engagement:

Deliverable	Low	Mid	High
1 Reel	$250	$500–$750	$1,000+
3–5 Photos	$150	$300–$600	$800+
Package Deal	$400	$750–$1,500	$2,000+

But here’s the kicker: you don’t get paid by the hour. You get paid by the value, the access to your audience, and the creative execution you provide.

📌 Useful Tips for When Brands Slide In

• Have a media kit ready. Just a one pager with your stats, audience breakdown, and examples of past work.
• Always ask about usage. Are they posting it? Running ads? Putting it on their website? You deserve more for more usage.
• Don’t work for free “exposure.” You can’t pay rent with a shoutout.
• Have your rate sheet saved in your Notes app or as a PDF. Be ready to respond like a business.
• Create a process. Even a simple one: Intro > Proposal > Contract > Payment > Deliverables.

✍🏽 Personal Perspective: You’re Not Just a Creator, You’re a Brand Too

I used to second guess myself when brands emailed me. Was I good enough? Was my page polished enough? Should I lowball to land the deal?

Now, I realize this: they reached out for a reason, because something I created made them stop scrolling. That’s value. And value deserves compensation.

It’s not just about the post. It’s about the eye you bring, the story you tell, the influence you hold. That’s your magic. And your business.

👋 Ready to Get Serious?

If you’ve been getting DMs and emails from brands, but you’re not sure how to respond, price yourself, or protect your work, I’ve got you.

Let’s sit down 1:1. I offer Creative Direction Sessions for creators just like you, where we go over:

• Crafting your content package
• Setting rates that feel good (and fair)
• Creating systems for brand deals
• Elevating your creative presence

🎯 Book your 1:1 Creative Direction Session here:

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