Steal my influencer DM template (it works)

Steal this: My favorite influencer DM template (and 3 bonus variations)

Influencer marketing starts with a DM.
And if your DM sucks, the campaign never even gets off the ground.

I’ve tested dozens. After hundreds of conversations, this is the DM template that consistently gets replies:

The Universal Template (works across the board):
“Hey [Name], I’ve been following your content on [platform] and love how you [specific compliment]. I think there’s a cool way we could collaborate that would genuinely add value for your audience. Can I send you a quick idea?”

Why it works: personal, short, and ends with a soft ask.

But not every influencer is the same. So here are 3 variations by tier:

1. Micro-Influencers (1K–10K followers)

These creators value relationships and discovery.

DM:
“Hey [Name], I found your [post/reel] on [topic] and it’s exactly the kind of content I love seeing. I run [brand/category] and think there’s a fun way we could team up. Want me to share a quick idea?”

👉 Strategy: Make them feel seen. They’re usually not flooded with brand requests, so personal attention matters.

2. Mid-Tier Influencers (10K–100K followers)

They get pitches often, so credibility + brevity is key.

DM:
“Hey [Name], big fan of your work on [platform]. I lead [brand/category], and we’ve worked with a few creators in your space. I think your audience would love what we’re building. Can I send you a quick collab idea?”

👉 Strategy: Signal that you’re legit (others already work with you), but keep it light.

3. Macro / Celeb-Level Influencers (100K–1M+ followers)

Gatekeepers (managers/assistants) often filter their inbox, so clarity + professionalism is everything.

DM:
“Hi [Name/team], I’m reaching out on behalf of [brand]. We’d love to explore a collaboration with [Influencer] that aligns with their content style. Could I send over a short proposal for review?”

👉 Strategy: Skip chit-chat. Show you respect their time and come with intent.

The goal is simple:

• Micro: Personal connection
  

• Mid: Credibility + curiosity
  

• Macro: Professional + concise
  

Once you get the green light, that’s when you send the full influencer brief (I made you a free template here: [link]).

👉 Your move:
Run a mini test. Pick 1 influencer from each tier and send the right version today. Track who replies fastest—you’ll quickly learn where your budget gets the most ROI.

If this helped, forward it to a friend who runs influencer campaigns. They’ll thank you for it.