Aug 7, 2025
5 MIN READ
Templates & Resources
Templates & Resources
Cold Outreach for Gifting Campaigns: How to Get Influencers to Say Yes
Cold Outreach for Gifting Campaigns: How to Get Influencers to Say Yes
Cold Outreach for Gifting Campaigns: How to Get Influencers to Say Yes
Nandini Tripathi
Nandini Tripathi
Nandini Tripathi
Nandini Tripathi
Content Marketer @impulze.ai
Sections
Blog in Short ⏱️
Blog in Short ⏱️
A quick glance at the highlights—perfect for when you're short on time.
A quick glance at the highlights—perfect for when you're short on time.
Cold outreach for gifting campaigns is the process of sending free products to influencers you haven’t worked with before, aiming to build relationships.
Templates to use:
Simple DM: Compliment → Offer gift → Ask if open.
Niche Match: Reference niche → Offer gift.
Email: Warm intro → State gift → No obligation.
Follow-Up: Friendly check-in → Re-offer gift.
Micro-Influencer: Praise niche content → Offer gift.
Tagged Brand: Mention tagged brand → Offer gift.
Build Together: Compliment style → Offer gift → Emphasize connection.
What to send: Your hero product, a personal note, thoughtful packaging, optional extras, and brief product context.
What not to send: low-quality items, mismatched products, overly branded merchandise, or gifts without any explanation.
Track results by monitoring posts, keeping a content calendar or campaign tracker, and following up politely after giving enough time.
Build a gifting program by defining goals, creating a targeted list, preparing gift kits, starting in small batches, and tracking results to refine your approach.
So, you’ve got a great product and a wishlist of influencers you'd love to work with. But here's the catch...your budget is tight, and you're hoping a free product will do the talking. This is the world of cold outreach for gifting campaigns, where charm, clarity, and timing can make or break your pitch.
The idea sounds simple: send a free product and get some love in return. But the reality? Influencers get hundreds of these messages. Most go ignored. Some get ghosted. And a few just land in spam. So how do you stand out?
Whether you're running an influencer gifting campaign for the first time or trying to boost your response rate, this guide will help you do it the right way. We’ll cover what to say, how to say it, and real tactics to help influencers say “yes.”
Let’s make your gifting pitch actually work.
What is influencer gifting?
Let’s clear this up first. Influencer gifting means you send your product to an influencer for free, hoping they’ll post about it. No contracts, no payments; just a simple exchange: “Here’s our product; we hope you love it enough to share.”
It’s not a paid collab. And it’s definitely not a guaranteed promotion. The influencer has full control over whether they post or not. But when done right, a cold outreach for a gifting campaign can lead to some amazing organic content, long-term relationships, and even future paid partnerships.
Think of it as a low-risk, high-potential intro. Gifting is especially useful for small brands, indie founders, and teams with limited budgets. You get to showcase your product to new audiences without spending big.
Is Free Gifting Still Enough to Get Influencers Interested?
Short answer: sometimes. Long answer? It depends on how you ask. You might think creators are over such gifting campaigns, but that’s only true if the pitch is lazy. The truth is, cold outreach for gifting campaigns still works really well if you approach it with respect, clarity, and a little bit of personalization.
Many micro-influencers and nano-influencers actually love receiving free products. It gives them content to post, something new to try, and the chance to build relationships with brands they genuinely like. But remember, they’re not vending machines. Sending a product doesn’t guarantee a shoutout.
Here’s why influencers still say yes to gifting:
It gives them content to post: New products can spark fun ideas for stories, reels, or reviews.
They get to try something new: If it aligns with their niche, it’s often a win-win.
It opens doors for future collabs: Many paid brand deals begin with one great gifting experience.
It makes smaller creators feel seen: A personal pitch can go a long way in building trust.
So what tips the scale? A thoughtful pitch. A product that feels relevant. And a message that doesn’t sound like it’s been blasted to 500 people at once. When you treat influencers like real people instead of ad slots, your influencer gifting campaign starts to feel like a genuine influencer collaboration, not just a gamble.
Let’s talk about how to make that happen.
How to Start a Successful Gifting Program
If you're planning to do cold outreach for gifting campaigns regularly, it's worth turning it into a structured program. This way, you're not just sending random DMs; you're building a system that delivers real value over time. Here’s how to set it up step by step:
Step 1: Define your goal beyond “free promotion.”
Influencer gifting works best when you’re clear about what you actually want out of it. Is it reachable? User-generated content? Feedback from real users? Early buzz before a launch? Define your why first. This will help you choose the right creators, craft better messages, and measure the campaign more meaningfully.
Pro tip: “We want to build long-term relationships with niche creators” is a stronger strategy than “Let’s get as many people to post as possible.”
Step 2: Create your ideal creator list.
Not every influencer will be a good fit, and that’s a good thing. Instead of targeting the biggest names, look for creators who:
Share your target audience
Align with your brand values
Have content that feels authentic, not overly polished
Engage actively with their community
Start small. Even 10 well-chosen names are better than a list of 100 random ones. Focus on micro-influencers and nano-influencers who actually reply to DMs and are open to gifting collaborations.
Step 3: Prepare your gift kits and messaging in advance.
Before you start outreach, make sure you’re ready to ship. This includes:
A well-packed, branded gift kit
A thoughtful note or insert card
Optional: a creator guide with product info, how-tos, and your social handles
Links to any hashtags or brand mentions you'd love them to use (but never pressure them)
You should also prep a few outreach messages ahead of time. You can personalize each one later, but having a structure saves time. This step helps you stay consistent and avoid scrambling once people say yes.
Step 4: Start your outreach in small batches.
Don’t blast everyone at once. Start with 5 to 10 creators, test your messaging, and see how they respond. This gives you a chance to:
Tweak your pitch
Adjust your timeline
Improve your packaging or note if needed
Learn what kind of follow-up works best
It also makes it easier to manage replies, track gifts, and build stronger conversations with each creator. Scaling slowly helps your influencer gifting campaign feel human, not mass-produced.
Step 5: Track everything and refine over time.
Keep a simple tracker to log:
Who you contacted
Who responded
What you sent and when
If and when they posted
Any feedback you received
Use this data to see what’s working. Maybe beauty influencers love your product, but fitness influencers aren’t posting. Maybe people respond better to email than DMs. The goal is to keep learning. Gifting programs are long-term plays. They’re about building a network of creators who actually like your brand, not just transactional posts.
Why Your Cold Outreach Gets Ignored
If you've sent gifting emails and heard nothing back, you're not alone. Even brands with amazing products struggle with low reply rates. Most of the time, it's not the product that's the problem; it's the way you're pitching it. Let’s break down where it usually goes wrong:
1. You’re asking too soon.
“Hey! Love your page. Want to try our product and post about it?”
That sounds nice, but it skips straight to the ask. Influencers get these all day, and most of them sound the same. Instead, try warming them up. Show that you’ve actually looked at their content. Mention something specific. Let them know why you think they’d genuinely enjoy your product.
2. Your message feels like a copy-paste job.
If your influencer outreach sounds like a template, it probably is one. Influencers can spot generic messages a mile away. Instead of mass messaging 100 creators, try writing 10 great emails. Personalize each one. Add their name. Mention a recent post. Make it feel like you wrote it just for them, because you did.
3. You're not clear about what's in it for them.
This one’s big. If you're asking someone to try your product and maybe post about it, you need to explain what makes the product special. Think from their side. Ask yourself:
Why would they want this?
How does it fit their content style?
Will it give them something cool to share?
Clarity makes your cold outreach for gifting campaigns way more appealing.
4. You're writing a mini novel.
Influencers aren’t sitting at a desk waiting to read your pitch. Most check DMs between shoots, while editing content, or in the middle of their day. If your message looks like a wall of text, it’s probably getting skipped. You don’t need to explain your entire brand story or product line in one go. Here’s what works better:
Greet them by name.
Mention something personal or relevant to their content.
Introduce your product in one sentence.
Tell them you’d love to send a gift.
Ask if they’re open to it.
That’s it. 4–5 short sentences, max. Save the detailed stuff for later, once they’ve said yes. A short, friendly message shows respect for their time. And that’s what gets read.
5. You sound too salesy.
This is a gifting, not a pitch deck. No one wants to read a formal product spec sheet in their inbox. Skip the corporate tone. Be human. Imagine you’re inviting a friend to try something cool you just launched. That’s the vibe that gets replies.
Want to fix your cold outreach? Start with empathy. Now let’s walk through how to actually write an influencer gifting message that gets a “yes.”
How to Craft a Message Influencers Actually Want to Reply To (Free Sample Templates Inside)
Let’s be real. Most influencers get so many DMs and emails that your message needs to work hard in the first 5 seconds. But that doesn’t mean it has to be long or pushy. If you’re doing cold outreach for gifting campaigns, your goal is simple: make it easy for them to say yes. Here are a few rules to keep in mind before we jump into the templates:
Keep it short and clear
Make it feel personal, not automated
Be kind, not demanding
Show genuine interest in their content
Let them know what to expect if they agree
Now, here are 7 plug-and-play templates you can use based on different situations.
Template 1: The Simple and Friendly DM
Hey [First Name],
Just found your page and had to reach out. Your content is super fun and honestly feels really
real, which is rare.
I run [Brand Name], and we’d love to send you something from our collection as a little gift, no
pressure at all.
If you're open to it, I’ll send over the details. Excited to hear what you think!Template 2: The Niche Match Pitch
Hey [First Name],
I’ve been scrolling through your posts and love how you talk about [insert niche]. It’s super
refreshing and honestly stands out from the usual stuff.
I’m with [Brand Name], and we’re sending gifts to a few creators we genuinely admire. Would love
to send you something we think you’ll really enjoy.
Let me know if you’re up for it. No strings, just good vibes and a cool product
Template 3: Email for Cold Outreach (Gifting Campaign)
Subject: A little gift from [Brand Name]?
Hi [First Name],
I’m [Your Name], and I help run [Brand Name]. I’ve been following your content for a while now,
and honestly, it’s the kind of work that makes people stop scrolling. It’s fun, authentic, and
feels very you.
We’re currently running a cold outreach for gifting campaign where we’re sending some of our
favorite products to creators we genuinely admire. There’s no ask, no contract, just a gift we
hope you’ll enjoy and maybe feel inspired to share if it feels natural.
If that sounds good, I’d love to send a box your way. Just let me know where to ship it, and I’ll
take care of the rest.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Warmly,
[Your Name]
[Role] at [Brand Name]
[Website or Instagram handle]Template 4: The Friendly Follow-Up
Template 5: For Micro-Influencers in a Specific Niche
Template 6: The Let’s Build Something Together Approach
What to Send (and What Not To) in a Gifting Campaign
Just sending “something” isn’t enough. If you're putting time into cold outreach for gifting campaigns, the product you send matters just as much as the message. Influencers aren’t just receiving your item; they’re experiencing your brand.
You don’t need to go overboard or send your entire catalog. But you do need to make sure what you're sending feels thoughtful and intentional. Here’s how to do that right:
1. What to Send:
Your hero product: Pick one item that defines your brand. Something that makes an instant impression and is easy to love. It should be visually appealing, photogenic, and easy to feature in content.
A note that feels personal: A short handwritten or printed note can go a long way. Mention their name. Thank them for checking it out. Let them know why you thought they’d like it.
Packaging that feels like an experience: Unboxing matters. You don’t need luxury-grade packaging, but keep it neat, branded, and thoughtful. Add a sticker, a thank-you card, or even a QR code with ideas for how they can use or style the product.
A little something extra (if it makes sense): A small bonus product, discount code for their audience, or even a fun branded item like a tote or keychain can leave a lasting impression.
Context: Include a simple one-pager or card with 2–3 sentences about the product. What makes it special? Why did you create it? Don’t write an essay, just enough to guide them.
2. What Not to Send:
Low-quality samples or testers: If you wouldn’t give it to a paying customer, don’t gift it. Creators are showcasing this to their audience. Give them something worth sharing.
Random mismatched items: Don’t treat gifting like clearing out inventory. Make sure everything you send fits together and feels intentional.
Overly branded items: Sending five items all stamped with your logo may not feel authentic. Give them something they’d actually want to use or wear.
No note, no explanation: Sending a product with zero context is a missed opportunity. You don’t need a brochure, just a few kind, helpful words to guide the experience.
The whole point of an influencer gifting campaign is to build a connection. That starts with the product but extends to how it’s delivered. When it feels like a gift, not an influencer marketing play, it creates space for genuine engagement.
How to Track Results from Gifting Campaigns Without Being Pushy
So you’ve sent the product. Now what? This is where most cold outreach for gifting campaigns starts to feel awkward. You don’t want to chase creators or make them feel like they owe you something. But at the same time, you want to know if the campaign actually worked. Here’s how to follow up and measure success without sounding needy.
1. Give it a little time
Don’t follow up the next day, asking if they’ve posted. Give them space to receive the gift, try the product, and figure out if and how they want to share it. A week is a good minimum window.
2. Send a friendly check-in
If it’s been a while, a light message works best. Something like:
“Hey [First Name], just checking in to make sure the package arrived safely. No pressure at all, just wanted to make sure it got to you!”
This keeps the conversation open without asking for a post or making them feel like they owe you.
3. Monitor organically shared content
Some creators might post without tagging you. Tools like SocialiQ or even a simple Instagram mentions search can help track this. Keep an eye out for:
Story mentions
Feed posts
TikTok vs Instagram shoutouts
Unboxing videos
If they do share, leave a genuine comment or share their post. Don’t just repost; engage like a fan.
4. Create a gifting campaign tracker
You can use a simple spreadsheet with:
Influencer name
IG or TikTok handle
Date gift was sent
Type of product
Did they post? If yes, when and what kind
Engagement rates, if available
Notes on tone or feedback
Over time, this gives you a better sense of who responds well to gifting and what content it drives.
5. Learn from the silence too
If someone didn’t post or reply, that’s okay. It’s part of gifting. Use it as feedback; maybe your pitch wasn’t personal enough, or the product didn’t align with their content. It doesn’t mean the campaign failed.
The goal of an influencer gifting campaign isn’t just content; it’s connection. If someone genuinely loved the gift but didn’t post right away, that bond still holds value.
Pro Tips to Improve Your Cold Outreach for Gifting Campaigns
Once you’ve nailed the basics, a few extra tweaks can make your cold outreach for gifting campaigns far more effective. These aren’t complicated hacks; they’re small shifts that make influencers feel seen, valued, and excited to connect.
1. Lead with genuine appreciation
Instead of jumping straight to “Can I send you a gift?”, start by making the conversation about them. Point out something you truly like about their content; maybe it’s the way they interact with their followers in comments, their photography style, or their knack for making tutorials entertaining.
Specific praise tells them you’ve actually spent time on their page. It instantly makes your message stand out from the dozens of generic ones in their inbox.
2. Personalize beyond their name
Using someone’s first name is the bare minimum. Personalization is about making the message feel like it couldn’t have been sent to anyone else. You could reference a video they recently posted, a trip they shared on stories, or even a personal milestone like hitting a follower goal. The more relevant you make it to their life and style, the less it feels like “cold” outreach, and the more it feels like an invitation.
3. Make it easy to say yes
Many influencers hesitate to accept gifts because they’ve had bad experiences with brands expecting too much. Remove that hesitation by making your offer crystal clear: it’s a gift, there are no posting obligations, and they’re free to share it only if they want to.
You could even write, “If it’s something you love and want to feature, that’s amazing. If not, no worries at all; I just think you’d enjoy it.” That one sentence can be the difference between getting ghosted and getting an address.
4. Use timing to your advantage
Timing plays a bigger role than most brands realize. Influencers’ inboxes flood during peak gifting seasons like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Black Friday. If you reach out during those times, your message is more likely to get lost.
Instead, try mid-month, mid-week outreach when fewer brands are contacting them. Also, think about what’s happening in their niche; if they’re a beauty creator, avoid sending gifts right when all the big seasonal PR packages are arriving.
5. Show the human behind the brand
People connect with people, not logos. If you’re a founder or part of a small team, share a little of your story in a natural way.
For example: “I started [Brand Name] two years ago from my kitchen table because I couldn’t find a skincare product that worked for my sensitive skin. Now, seeing creators like you enjoy it is the best part of what I do.”
It makes the exchange feel more like a personal connection and less like a faceless marketing effort.
6. Follow up once, nicely
If they don’t respond right away, it’s not always a no. Sometimes it’s bad timing, or your message got buried. A polite follow-up after 7–10 days is fine.
Keep it warm: “Just wanted to make sure my last message reached you. No pressure at all, happy to share more details if you’re interested.” One gentle nudge is enough. Anything more starts to feel pushy.
7. Keep the relationship alive after gifting
If your influencer gifting campaign ends when the package arrives, you’re missing the bigger picture. Keep interacting with their content in a genuine way, comment when you have something to add, share posts you love, and stay in touch even if they don’t post about your gift.
Over time, this builds familiarity and trust. When you do have a paid campaign or new product launch, you won’t be starting from zero; you’ll already have an influencer relationship.
Final Words
Cold outreach for gifting campaigns is about creating genuine connections with the right creators, making them feel valued, and leaving them with a positive experience of your brand.
When you focus on personalization, timing, and thoughtful delivery, gifting becomes more than a marketing tactic; it becomes the start of a long-term partnership. Even if every gift doesn’t lead to content, the relationships you build can open doors to bigger collaborations in the future.
If you’re ready to make your gifting program smarter and easier to manage, impulze.ai can help. From finding influencers who align with your niche to tracking engagement and organizing outreach, our platform takes the guesswork out of influencer marketing. You can even discover who your competitors are working with and streamline every part of your campaign in one place.
Start building better influencer relationships today; create your free impulze.ai account and see how much easier gifting can be.
So, you’ve got a great product and a wishlist of influencers you'd love to work with. But here's the catch...your budget is tight, and you're hoping a free product will do the talking. This is the world of cold outreach for gifting campaigns, where charm, clarity, and timing can make or break your pitch.
The idea sounds simple: send a free product and get some love in return. But the reality? Influencers get hundreds of these messages. Most go ignored. Some get ghosted. And a few just land in spam. So how do you stand out?
Whether you're running an influencer gifting campaign for the first time or trying to boost your response rate, this guide will help you do it the right way. We’ll cover what to say, how to say it, and real tactics to help influencers say “yes.”
Let’s make your gifting pitch actually work.
What is influencer gifting?
Let’s clear this up first. Influencer gifting means you send your product to an influencer for free, hoping they’ll post about it. No contracts, no payments; just a simple exchange: “Here’s our product; we hope you love it enough to share.”
It’s not a paid collab. And it’s definitely not a guaranteed promotion. The influencer has full control over whether they post or not. But when done right, a cold outreach for a gifting campaign can lead to some amazing organic content, long-term relationships, and even future paid partnerships.
Think of it as a low-risk, high-potential intro. Gifting is especially useful for small brands, indie founders, and teams with limited budgets. You get to showcase your product to new audiences without spending big.
Is Free Gifting Still Enough to Get Influencers Interested?
Short answer: sometimes. Long answer? It depends on how you ask. You might think creators are over such gifting campaigns, but that’s only true if the pitch is lazy. The truth is, cold outreach for gifting campaigns still works really well if you approach it with respect, clarity, and a little bit of personalization.
Many micro-influencers and nano-influencers actually love receiving free products. It gives them content to post, something new to try, and the chance to build relationships with brands they genuinely like. But remember, they’re not vending machines. Sending a product doesn’t guarantee a shoutout.
Here’s why influencers still say yes to gifting:
It gives them content to post: New products can spark fun ideas for stories, reels, or reviews.
They get to try something new: If it aligns with their niche, it’s often a win-win.
It opens doors for future collabs: Many paid brand deals begin with one great gifting experience.
It makes smaller creators feel seen: A personal pitch can go a long way in building trust.
So what tips the scale? A thoughtful pitch. A product that feels relevant. And a message that doesn’t sound like it’s been blasted to 500 people at once. When you treat influencers like real people instead of ad slots, your influencer gifting campaign starts to feel like a genuine influencer collaboration, not just a gamble.
Let’s talk about how to make that happen.
How to Start a Successful Gifting Program
If you're planning to do cold outreach for gifting campaigns regularly, it's worth turning it into a structured program. This way, you're not just sending random DMs; you're building a system that delivers real value over time. Here’s how to set it up step by step:
Step 1: Define your goal beyond “free promotion.”
Influencer gifting works best when you’re clear about what you actually want out of it. Is it reachable? User-generated content? Feedback from real users? Early buzz before a launch? Define your why first. This will help you choose the right creators, craft better messages, and measure the campaign more meaningfully.
Pro tip: “We want to build long-term relationships with niche creators” is a stronger strategy than “Let’s get as many people to post as possible.”
Step 2: Create your ideal creator list.
Not every influencer will be a good fit, and that’s a good thing. Instead of targeting the biggest names, look for creators who:
Share your target audience
Align with your brand values
Have content that feels authentic, not overly polished
Engage actively with their community
Start small. Even 10 well-chosen names are better than a list of 100 random ones. Focus on micro-influencers and nano-influencers who actually reply to DMs and are open to gifting collaborations.
Step 3: Prepare your gift kits and messaging in advance.
Before you start outreach, make sure you’re ready to ship. This includes:
A well-packed, branded gift kit
A thoughtful note or insert card
Optional: a creator guide with product info, how-tos, and your social handles
Links to any hashtags or brand mentions you'd love them to use (but never pressure them)
You should also prep a few outreach messages ahead of time. You can personalize each one later, but having a structure saves time. This step helps you stay consistent and avoid scrambling once people say yes.
Step 4: Start your outreach in small batches.
Don’t blast everyone at once. Start with 5 to 10 creators, test your messaging, and see how they respond. This gives you a chance to:
Tweak your pitch
Adjust your timeline
Improve your packaging or note if needed
Learn what kind of follow-up works best
It also makes it easier to manage replies, track gifts, and build stronger conversations with each creator. Scaling slowly helps your influencer gifting campaign feel human, not mass-produced.
Step 5: Track everything and refine over time.
Keep a simple tracker to log:
Who you contacted
Who responded
What you sent and when
If and when they posted
Any feedback you received
Use this data to see what’s working. Maybe beauty influencers love your product, but fitness influencers aren’t posting. Maybe people respond better to email than DMs. The goal is to keep learning. Gifting programs are long-term plays. They’re about building a network of creators who actually like your brand, not just transactional posts.
Why Your Cold Outreach Gets Ignored
If you've sent gifting emails and heard nothing back, you're not alone. Even brands with amazing products struggle with low reply rates. Most of the time, it's not the product that's the problem; it's the way you're pitching it. Let’s break down where it usually goes wrong:
1. You’re asking too soon.
“Hey! Love your page. Want to try our product and post about it?”
That sounds nice, but it skips straight to the ask. Influencers get these all day, and most of them sound the same. Instead, try warming them up. Show that you’ve actually looked at their content. Mention something specific. Let them know why you think they’d genuinely enjoy your product.
2. Your message feels like a copy-paste job.
If your influencer outreach sounds like a template, it probably is one. Influencers can spot generic messages a mile away. Instead of mass messaging 100 creators, try writing 10 great emails. Personalize each one. Add their name. Mention a recent post. Make it feel like you wrote it just for them, because you did.
3. You're not clear about what's in it for them.
This one’s big. If you're asking someone to try your product and maybe post about it, you need to explain what makes the product special. Think from their side. Ask yourself:
Why would they want this?
How does it fit their content style?
Will it give them something cool to share?
Clarity makes your cold outreach for gifting campaigns way more appealing.
4. You're writing a mini novel.
Influencers aren’t sitting at a desk waiting to read your pitch. Most check DMs between shoots, while editing content, or in the middle of their day. If your message looks like a wall of text, it’s probably getting skipped. You don’t need to explain your entire brand story or product line in one go. Here’s what works better:
Greet them by name.
Mention something personal or relevant to their content.
Introduce your product in one sentence.
Tell them you’d love to send a gift.
Ask if they’re open to it.
That’s it. 4–5 short sentences, max. Save the detailed stuff for later, once they’ve said yes. A short, friendly message shows respect for their time. And that’s what gets read.
5. You sound too salesy.
This is a gifting, not a pitch deck. No one wants to read a formal product spec sheet in their inbox. Skip the corporate tone. Be human. Imagine you’re inviting a friend to try something cool you just launched. That’s the vibe that gets replies.
Want to fix your cold outreach? Start with empathy. Now let’s walk through how to actually write an influencer gifting message that gets a “yes.”
How to Craft a Message Influencers Actually Want to Reply To (Free Sample Templates Inside)
Let’s be real. Most influencers get so many DMs and emails that your message needs to work hard in the first 5 seconds. But that doesn’t mean it has to be long or pushy. If you’re doing cold outreach for gifting campaigns, your goal is simple: make it easy for them to say yes. Here are a few rules to keep in mind before we jump into the templates:
Keep it short and clear
Make it feel personal, not automated
Be kind, not demanding
Show genuine interest in their content
Let them know what to expect if they agree
Now, here are 7 plug-and-play templates you can use based on different situations.
Template 1: The Simple and Friendly DM
Hey [First Name],
Just found your page and had to reach out. Your content is super fun and honestly feels really
real, which is rare.
I run [Brand Name], and we’d love to send you something from our collection as a little gift, no
pressure at all.
If you're open to it, I’ll send over the details. Excited to hear what you think!Template 2: The Niche Match Pitch
Hey [First Name],
I’ve been scrolling through your posts and love how you talk about [insert niche]. It’s super
refreshing and honestly stands out from the usual stuff.
I’m with [Brand Name], and we’re sending gifts to a few creators we genuinely admire. Would love
to send you something we think you’ll really enjoy.
Let me know if you’re up for it. No strings, just good vibes and a cool product
Template 3: Email for Cold Outreach (Gifting Campaign)
Subject: A little gift from [Brand Name]?
Hi [First Name],
I’m [Your Name], and I help run [Brand Name]. I’ve been following your content for a while now,
and honestly, it’s the kind of work that makes people stop scrolling. It’s fun, authentic, and
feels very you.
We’re currently running a cold outreach for gifting campaign where we’re sending some of our
favorite products to creators we genuinely admire. There’s no ask, no contract, just a gift we
hope you’ll enjoy and maybe feel inspired to share if it feels natural.
If that sounds good, I’d love to send a box your way. Just let me know where to ship it, and I’ll
take care of the rest.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Warmly,
[Your Name]
[Role] at [Brand Name]
[Website or Instagram handle]Template 4: The Friendly Follow-Up
Template 5: For Micro-Influencers in a Specific Niche
Template 6: The Let’s Build Something Together Approach
What to Send (and What Not To) in a Gifting Campaign
Just sending “something” isn’t enough. If you're putting time into cold outreach for gifting campaigns, the product you send matters just as much as the message. Influencers aren’t just receiving your item; they’re experiencing your brand.
You don’t need to go overboard or send your entire catalog. But you do need to make sure what you're sending feels thoughtful and intentional. Here’s how to do that right:
1. What to Send:
Your hero product: Pick one item that defines your brand. Something that makes an instant impression and is easy to love. It should be visually appealing, photogenic, and easy to feature in content.
A note that feels personal: A short handwritten or printed note can go a long way. Mention their name. Thank them for checking it out. Let them know why you thought they’d like it.
Packaging that feels like an experience: Unboxing matters. You don’t need luxury-grade packaging, but keep it neat, branded, and thoughtful. Add a sticker, a thank-you card, or even a QR code with ideas for how they can use or style the product.
A little something extra (if it makes sense): A small bonus product, discount code for their audience, or even a fun branded item like a tote or keychain can leave a lasting impression.
Context: Include a simple one-pager or card with 2–3 sentences about the product. What makes it special? Why did you create it? Don’t write an essay, just enough to guide them.
2. What Not to Send:
Low-quality samples or testers: If you wouldn’t give it to a paying customer, don’t gift it. Creators are showcasing this to their audience. Give them something worth sharing.
Random mismatched items: Don’t treat gifting like clearing out inventory. Make sure everything you send fits together and feels intentional.
Overly branded items: Sending five items all stamped with your logo may not feel authentic. Give them something they’d actually want to use or wear.
No note, no explanation: Sending a product with zero context is a missed opportunity. You don’t need a brochure, just a few kind, helpful words to guide the experience.
The whole point of an influencer gifting campaign is to build a connection. That starts with the product but extends to how it’s delivered. When it feels like a gift, not an influencer marketing play, it creates space for genuine engagement.
How to Track Results from Gifting Campaigns Without Being Pushy
So you’ve sent the product. Now what? This is where most cold outreach for gifting campaigns starts to feel awkward. You don’t want to chase creators or make them feel like they owe you something. But at the same time, you want to know if the campaign actually worked. Here’s how to follow up and measure success without sounding needy.
1. Give it a little time
Don’t follow up the next day, asking if they’ve posted. Give them space to receive the gift, try the product, and figure out if and how they want to share it. A week is a good minimum window.
2. Send a friendly check-in
If it’s been a while, a light message works best. Something like:
“Hey [First Name], just checking in to make sure the package arrived safely. No pressure at all, just wanted to make sure it got to you!”
This keeps the conversation open without asking for a post or making them feel like they owe you.
3. Monitor organically shared content
Some creators might post without tagging you. Tools like SocialiQ or even a simple Instagram mentions search can help track this. Keep an eye out for:
Story mentions
Feed posts
TikTok vs Instagram shoutouts
Unboxing videos
If they do share, leave a genuine comment or share their post. Don’t just repost; engage like a fan.
4. Create a gifting campaign tracker
You can use a simple spreadsheet with:
Influencer name
IG or TikTok handle
Date gift was sent
Type of product
Did they post? If yes, when and what kind
Engagement rates, if available
Notes on tone or feedback
Over time, this gives you a better sense of who responds well to gifting and what content it drives.
5. Learn from the silence too
If someone didn’t post or reply, that’s okay. It’s part of gifting. Use it as feedback; maybe your pitch wasn’t personal enough, or the product didn’t align with their content. It doesn’t mean the campaign failed.
The goal of an influencer gifting campaign isn’t just content; it’s connection. If someone genuinely loved the gift but didn’t post right away, that bond still holds value.
Pro Tips to Improve Your Cold Outreach for Gifting Campaigns
Once you’ve nailed the basics, a few extra tweaks can make your cold outreach for gifting campaigns far more effective. These aren’t complicated hacks; they’re small shifts that make influencers feel seen, valued, and excited to connect.
1. Lead with genuine appreciation
Instead of jumping straight to “Can I send you a gift?”, start by making the conversation about them. Point out something you truly like about their content; maybe it’s the way they interact with their followers in comments, their photography style, or their knack for making tutorials entertaining.
Specific praise tells them you’ve actually spent time on their page. It instantly makes your message stand out from the dozens of generic ones in their inbox.
2. Personalize beyond their name
Using someone’s first name is the bare minimum. Personalization is about making the message feel like it couldn’t have been sent to anyone else. You could reference a video they recently posted, a trip they shared on stories, or even a personal milestone like hitting a follower goal. The more relevant you make it to their life and style, the less it feels like “cold” outreach, and the more it feels like an invitation.
3. Make it easy to say yes
Many influencers hesitate to accept gifts because they’ve had bad experiences with brands expecting too much. Remove that hesitation by making your offer crystal clear: it’s a gift, there are no posting obligations, and they’re free to share it only if they want to.
You could even write, “If it’s something you love and want to feature, that’s amazing. If not, no worries at all; I just think you’d enjoy it.” That one sentence can be the difference between getting ghosted and getting an address.
4. Use timing to your advantage
Timing plays a bigger role than most brands realize. Influencers’ inboxes flood during peak gifting seasons like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Black Friday. If you reach out during those times, your message is more likely to get lost.
Instead, try mid-month, mid-week outreach when fewer brands are contacting them. Also, think about what’s happening in their niche; if they’re a beauty creator, avoid sending gifts right when all the big seasonal PR packages are arriving.
5. Show the human behind the brand
People connect with people, not logos. If you’re a founder or part of a small team, share a little of your story in a natural way.
For example: “I started [Brand Name] two years ago from my kitchen table because I couldn’t find a skincare product that worked for my sensitive skin. Now, seeing creators like you enjoy it is the best part of what I do.”
It makes the exchange feel more like a personal connection and less like a faceless marketing effort.
6. Follow up once, nicely
If they don’t respond right away, it’s not always a no. Sometimes it’s bad timing, or your message got buried. A polite follow-up after 7–10 days is fine.
Keep it warm: “Just wanted to make sure my last message reached you. No pressure at all, happy to share more details if you’re interested.” One gentle nudge is enough. Anything more starts to feel pushy.
7. Keep the relationship alive after gifting
If your influencer gifting campaign ends when the package arrives, you’re missing the bigger picture. Keep interacting with their content in a genuine way, comment when you have something to add, share posts you love, and stay in touch even if they don’t post about your gift.
Over time, this builds familiarity and trust. When you do have a paid campaign or new product launch, you won’t be starting from zero; you’ll already have an influencer relationship.
Final Words
Cold outreach for gifting campaigns is about creating genuine connections with the right creators, making them feel valued, and leaving them with a positive experience of your brand.
When you focus on personalization, timing, and thoughtful delivery, gifting becomes more than a marketing tactic; it becomes the start of a long-term partnership. Even if every gift doesn’t lead to content, the relationships you build can open doors to bigger collaborations in the future.
If you’re ready to make your gifting program smarter and easier to manage, impulze.ai can help. From finding influencers who align with your niche to tracking engagement and organizing outreach, our platform takes the guesswork out of influencer marketing. You can even discover who your competitors are working with and streamline every part of your campaign in one place.
Start building better influencer relationships today; create your free impulze.ai account and see how much easier gifting can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cold outreach for gifting campaigns?
What is cold outreach for gifting campaigns?
What is cold outreach for gifting campaigns?
Do influencers have to post if they accept a gift?
Do influencers have to post if they accept a gift?
Do influencers have to post if they accept a gift?
How do I choose the right influencers for gifting?
How do I choose the right influencers for gifting?
How do I choose the right influencers for gifting?
What should I include in my influencer outreach template?
What should I include in my influencer outreach template?
What should I include in my influencer outreach template?
How do I pitch influencers for free products without sounding pushy?
How do I pitch influencers for free products without sounding pushy?
How do I pitch influencers for free products without sounding pushy?
What’s the best way to track results from a gifting campaign?
What’s the best way to track results from a gifting campaign?
What’s the best way to track results from a gifting campaign?
Can gifting campaigns lead to paid collaborations?
Can gifting campaigns lead to paid collaborations?
Can gifting campaigns lead to paid collaborations?
Author Bio
Author Bio
Nandini Tripathi
Nandini Tripathi
Hey! I’m Nandini, a content writer who turns brand blah into brand ta-da! I write words that work and turn ideas into content that sounds good, feels right, and actually gets read.
Hey! I’m Nandini, a content writer who turns brand blah into brand ta-da! I write words that work and turn ideas into content that sounds good, feels right, and actually gets read.
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30K+ Active Users
May be Later
Join over 30,000+ SocialiQ users who have installed this free Chrome extension to search, analyze, save, and contact influencers directly on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
30K+ Active Users
May be Later