A Brand Just Reached Out. What Do You Actually Do First?
A brand reached out. Check fit, request a written brief, clarify usage and payment, and reply without committing before the scope is clear.
When a genuine brand approaches you, read the request, check audience fit and ask for the missing brief details before accepting or quoting. Confirm deliverables, placement, dates, usage and whether there is a fee in writing, then move to a scoped quote.
What should happen before I say yes?
Example only. The table is invented to make the method usable, not a survey, a market rate or a reported creator result.
| Example timing | Action | Send |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0 | Read and check fit | No commitment |
| Day 0–1 | Request written brief | Four-line reply |
| Within 2 working days of complete brief | Review work and dates | Quote or clarification |
| If terms are still missing | Keep questions open | No final files |
Example response budget: 1 initial reply + 1 clarification round = 2 messages before a scoped quote. This is a workflow example, not a promise that every deal can be settled in two emails.
List blanks before replying
Record the sender, product, requested work, dates and whether payment is mentioned. This routine assumes legitimacy has already been checked; use the brand-offer verification guide for that separate task. Do not let enthusiasm turn an incomplete DM into a commitment.
Ask for a brief, not permission to guess
Move the working details to a written thread you can retrieve. If they ask for a rate immediately, explain that you will quote once the work and usage are clear. A brief request is not a yes to the fee or the project. Review the contract red flags while you collect terms.
Hold access and final files
Never share a password. Provide only the audience evidence the brief needs, with private information removed. A media kit keeps that evidence separate from account access. Do not send custom final work before scope and use terms are agreed. Once the brief is complete, stop this intake routine and price that specific job. The negotiation framework and usage-rights guide cover those next decisions. Use the brief generator as a prompt list for missing details.
What can I copy today?
Example template. Replace the brackets with true details before sending or saving:
Thanks for reaching out about [product]. My viewers are [relevant audience]. Could you send the brief: deliverables, placement, dates, usage and whether this is paid? Once I have the complete brief, I will confirm next steps within two working days.
Sources and limits
For background, this first-party resource covers the related workflow: Platform workflow starts with proposal details, per-job contract, creator acceptance, content upload/revisions, proof of performance, invoice and payout status. Read the source. Checked November 8, 2026.
The example values and workflow choices above are editorial illustrations. They do not establish typical outcomes. Replace them with your own evidence; keep unknowns visible.
What was missing from your last inbound brief?
FAQ
What do I do first when a brand reaches out?
Read the request and identify missing brief details. After checking fit and legitimacy, ask for the work, usage, dates and payment basis in writing.
Should I send my rate immediately?
If the work and rights are unclear, ask for the brief first. Quote the specific job once you understand what is being requested.
How quickly should I reply to a brand?
The Example uses the same or next working day for the first reply. State a realistic review deadline for yourself; it is not an industry rule.
Should I send a free custom sample with my first reply?
Prefer relevant existing work. Custom work needs clear terms about pay and permitted use before you provide final files.
Aayush Upadhyay
Co-founder, Snippet
Building Snippet, the AI talent agency that helps content creators land brand deals without agencies. Previously scaled creator partnerships at multiple startups. Obsessed with using AI to democratize talent management for the 32 million mid-tier creators who deserve better representation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do first when a brand reaches out?
Read the request and identify missing brief details. After checking fit and legitimacy, ask for the work, usage, dates and payment basis in writing.
Should I send my rate immediately?
If the work and rights are unclear, ask for the brief first. Quote the specific job once you understand what is being requested.
How quickly should I reply to a brand?
The Example uses the same or next working day for the first reply. State a realistic review deadline for yourself; it is not an industry rule.
Should I send a free custom sample with my first reply?
Prefer relevant existing work. Custom work needs clear terms about pay and permitted use before you provide final files.