Collabed
How to Avoid Getting Ghosted by Brands (Follow-Up Scripts Inside)
Nothing is more frustrating than sending what you think is the perfect pitch, waiting anxiously for a response, and then... nothing. Radio silence. You've been ghosted, and it stings.
Brand ghosting is one of the biggest pain points for content creators, especially those just starting out. But here's the thing: most "ghosting" isn't personal—it's procedural. Understanding why brands go silent and how to professionally follow up can dramatically increase your response rates and collaboration success.
Why Brands Ghost Creators (It's Not What You Think)
Before we dive into solutions, let's understand the problem. Brand ghosting usually isn't about your content or worthiness—it's about their internal processes and overwhelming inbox volume.
Common Reasons Brands Don't Respond:
📧 Email Overload
Popular brands receive 50-200+ collaboration emails daily. Your email might be buried or missed entirely.
🗓️ Timing Issues
Brands plan campaigns months in advance. Your pitch might be perfect but arrive at the wrong time.
💰 Budget Constraints
They love your content but have no budget allocated for new partnerships this quarter.
🔄 Internal Delays
Multiple people need to approve partnerships. Your email is stuck in an approval chain.
Mindset Shift
Reframe "ghosting" as "no response yet." This mental shift helps you follow up professionally instead of emotionally, significantly improving your success rate.
The Strategic Follow-Up Framework
Professional follow-up is an art. Done right, it shows persistence and professionalism. Done wrong, it can damage your reputation and burn bridges.
The 3-Touch Rule:
Initial Follow-Up (5-7 business days)
Gentle check-in with additional value or clarification
Second Follow-Up (1-2 weeks later)
Share new content/achievement and restate interest
Final Follow-Up (2-3 weeks later)
Graceful close with future opportunity door open
Follow-Up Scripts That Actually Work
Here are proven follow-up templates that maintain professionalism while increasing your response rates.
First Follow-Up: The Value-Add Approach
Subject: Following up + New content example
Hi [Name],
I hope this email finds you well! I wanted to follow up on my collaboration proposal from [date] and share a recent content piece that aligns perfectly with [Brand Name]'s aesthetic.
My latest [post/video] about [relevant topic] received [specific metrics] and generated lots of questions about [product category]. I think this demonstrates the kind of authentic engagement I could create for [Brand Name].
[Link to recent relevant content]
I understand you likely receive many partnership requests, so please let me know if there's additional information that would be helpful for your decision-making process.
Looking forward to potentially working together!
Best,
[Your Name]
Second Follow-Up: The Achievement Update
Subject: Partnership update + Exciting milestone
Hello [Name],
I hope you're having a great week! I wanted to reach out with an exciting update since my last email about potential collaboration with [Brand Name].
[Share recent achievement: follower milestone, viral content, successful brand collaboration, feature, etc.]
This growth reinforces my belief that I could create impactful content for [Brand Name]. My audience has been particularly engaged with content around [relevant category], with my recent posts achieving [specific metrics].
I'm still very interested in exploring a partnership and would love to discuss how I can contribute to your upcoming campaigns.
Thanks for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Third Follow-Up: The Graceful Close
Subject: Final follow-up - Thank you
Hi [Name],
I wanted to send one final follow-up regarding collaboration opportunities with [Brand Name]. I completely understand that timing may not be right currently or that you have different priorities for your partnerships.
I have tremendous respect for [Brand Name] and would still love to work together in the future if the opportunity arises. Please feel free to reach out anytime if your partnership needs change.
In the meantime, I'll continue creating content and supporting brands I believe in—including [Brand Name]!
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Advanced Follow-Up Strategies
Once you master basic follow-up, these advanced strategies can further increase your success rate.
Strategy 1: The Seasonal Approach
How It Works:
If you don't hear back, wait 3-6 months and follow up with seasonal campaign ideas. Brands' needs and budgets change with seasons and quarters.
Example: "Hi [Name], I hope you're well! With the holiday season approaching, I have some creative ideas for [Brand Name] that could resonate with my audience during this gift-giving time..."
Strategy 2: The Social Proof Method
How It Works:
Include testimonials or case studies from successful brand collaborations in your follow-ups. This shows other brands trust and value your work.
Example: "Since my last email, I completed a campaign for [Similar Brand] that achieved a 12% engagement rate and drove significant traffic to their website. I believe I could create similar results for [Brand Name]."
Strategy 3: The Specific Campaign Pitch
How It Works:
Instead of generic follow-ups, research the brand's current campaigns and pitch specific, relevant content ideas.
Example: "I noticed [Brand Name] just launched [specific product/campaign]. I have a content idea that could authentically showcase this in my daily routine while highlighting [specific benefit]..."
What NOT to Do When Following Up
These common mistakes can damage your reputation and ensure you never hear from a brand again.
❌ Don't Be Pushy or Demanding
Avoid language like "Why haven't you responded?" or "This is urgent." Brands will immediately blacklist aggressive communicators.
❌ Don't Follow Up Too Frequently
More than 3 follow-ups makes you look desperate and unprofessional. Respect their time and decision-making process.
❌ Don't Take It Personally
Emotional responses like "I'm disappointed you ignored me" or "I thought my content was perfect for you" are unprofessional and ineffective.
❌ Don't Spam Multiple Channels
Following up via email, DMs, LinkedIn, and phone calls simultaneously makes you look unprofessional and disorganized.
Building a Follow-Up System
Consistency is key to successful follow-up. Create a system that automates reminders so you never miss an opportunity.
Essential Tracking Information:
Contact Details
- • Brand name and contact person
- • Email address and backup contacts
- • How you found them
- • Preferred communication method
Communication History
- • Date of initial outreach
- • Follow-up dates and responses
- • What was included in each email
- • Next planned action
Automation Options:
- • Calendar reminders: Set follow-up dates when you send initial emails
- • Email templates: Save time with pre-written follow-up scripts
- • CRM tools: Use tools like HubSpot, Notion, or Collabed to track interactions
- • Status categories: "Awaiting first response," "First follow-up sent," etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before following up with a brand?
Wait 5-7 business days for the first follow-up, then 1-2 weeks for subsequent follow-ups. Never follow up more than 3 times total before moving on.
What if a brand ghosts me after we've already agreed on terms?
This is more serious. Send a professional follow-up referencing the agreed terms and asking for confirmation. If still no response after 2 follow-ups, consider it cancelled and move on.
Should I follow up differently for big brands vs. small brands?
Yes. Big brands often have slower response times due to bureaucracy. Small brands typically respond faster but may be less organized. Adjust your follow-up timeline accordingly.
Is it ever okay to follow up via DMs instead of email?
Only as a last resort after email follow-ups haven't worked. Keep DM follow-ups brief and professional, simply asking them to check their email.
Never Miss a Follow-Up Again
Track deal status, set reminders, and never forget to follow up with Collabed. Our automated system helps you maintain professional communication with all your brand contacts, turning silence into successful partnerships.