Reaching out to creators through cold DMs is challenging because:
- High competition: Creators receive countless messages daily, making it hard to stand out.
- Low trust: Many messages feel generic, sales-driven, or scam-like, leading to skepticism.
- Timing issues: Busy creators often overlook non-urgent messages.
- Common mistakes: Lack of research, impersonal language, and pushy follow-ups often result in being ignored.
To succeed, agencies must focus on personalization, building trust, and offering clear value. This includes researching creators, crafting tailored messages, and avoiding hard sales pitches upfront. Tracking metrics like response rates and follow-ups is essential for improving outreach strategies. A data-driven and consistent approach ensures better connections and long-term partnerships.
How to Sign Content Agency Clients With Cold DMs (Step by Step)
How Creators Think and What Builds Trust
Creators have an uncanny ability to spot low-effort outreach. After being bombarded with countless agency pitches, they can easily distinguish between spam, scams, and generic messages. This means your direct message (DM) has to stand out and prove its worth right away.
When creators receive messages that feel like they’ve been copy-pasted or are overly focused on sales, they’re quick to dismiss them as noise rather than legitimate opportunities. Their time is valuable, and they’re constantly filtering out impersonal pitches to focus on meaningful connections.
At the heart of it all is trust. Creators need to feel confident that you understand their work and can genuinely offer something of value before they’ll even consider engaging. By understanding these trust-building elements, you can craft an agency pitch that resonates and feels authentic.
What Creators Want from Agency Partnerships
Once trust is established, creators look for partnerships that go beyond just financial gain. They want solutions that free up their time by handling the business side of content creation. This allows them to focus on what they do best – creating. A steady income is also highly valued, as it provides stability in an often unpredictable industry.
Many creators face challenges with long-term planning and growing their audience. They appreciate partners who bring expertise in content strategy and can guide them toward more profitable opportunities. Additionally, professional development is a big draw. Whether it’s help with personal branding, expanding to new platforms, or exploring fresh monetization methods, creators who treat their work as a business want to partner with those who see them as professionals.
Mistakes That Get Your DMs Ignored
Failing to build trust can lead to some common mistakes that will almost guarantee your message goes unnoticed – or worse, gets deleted.
Reaching out without taking the time to build rapport or research a creator’s recent work comes across as disrespectful and shows you’re not genuinely interested in collaboration. Messages that prioritize sales over connection feel cold and transactional.
Creators can easily spot generic, copy-pasted messages. If your pitch includes the wrong name, references irrelevant content, or uses vague and impersonal language, it screams low effort and will likely be dismissed.
Pushy or overly frequent follow-ups can also backfire, making you seem desperate or even getting your account flagged as spam. And if your pitch lacks social proof – like testimonials or case studies – it will come across as untrustworthy, further reducing your chances of making a connection.
How to Find the Right Creators to Contact
When it comes to cold DM campaigns, the key to success lies in targeting creators who have genuine growth potential and actively engaged audiences – not just inflated follower counts. Building on the trust factors we’ve discussed, finding the right creators can make or break your outreach efforts.
Why does this matter? Because agency earnings often come from a small number of standout creators, not a large pool of average performers. This means your strategy should focus on quality over quantity right from the start.
The creators most likely to respond favorably to agency outreach are those who are already showing signs of growth but haven’t hit their peak yet. These are the individuals who understand the value of partnerships and are looking for ways to scale their content creation efforts.
To identify these creators, you’ll need to rely on data-driven insights.
Using Data to Identify Promising Creators
A data-focused approach is what separates successful agencies from those blindly sending out messages. Instead of focusing solely on follower counts, dig deeper into metrics like engagement rates and growth trends.
Tools like NimbusReach are invaluable here. For example, their Fan Devotion Score analyzes signals across the web to measure authentic audience engagement. This helps you identify creators with loyal, paying fans – not just casual followers.
Look for creators who post consistently and maintain steady audience interaction. Regular content output paired with meaningful engagement is a strong indicator that a creator is serious about their work and open to professional partnerships.
Growth alerts can also be a game-changer. These notifications highlight creators on an upward trajectory – those gaining momentum but potentially needing help managing the business side of things. This is often the perfect time for agencies to step in.
Another critical factor is audience behavior. Are a creator’s followers actively engaging through comments and shares, or are they just passively liking posts? Prioritize creators whose audiences show real interest and involvement.
Where to Find Creators on Different Platforms
Once you’ve got your data insights, refine your search by understanding how creators behave on specific platforms.
- Twitter/X: Use hashtag research and engagement tracking to find creators in your niche. Look for those who consistently use relevant hashtags and receive meaningful replies and retweets. The platform’s search tools make it easy to filter by engagement and activity levels.
- Reddit: Explore relevant subreddits to find creators who contribute valuable content and receive positive feedback. Their comment history and interaction with the community can provide insights into their professionalism and audience connection.
- Instagram: Focus on creators using niche-specific hashtags and engaging heavily with their Stories. High interaction rates on Stories often signal a more engaged audience than feed posts alone. Also, look for creators who actively respond to comments and foster dialogue.
- TikTok: Search for creators using trending sounds and participating in niche hashtags. The platform’s algorithm favors authentic engagement, so creators appearing in relevant searches are often worth checking out. Pay attention to their comment sections for signs of active audience interaction.
For platforms like OnlyFans, which lack public search tools, cross-referencing their profiles on other platforms is essential. Many creators promote their OnlyFans content elsewhere, giving you a fuller picture of their reach and engagement.
Set up saved searches and alerts using niche keywords to quickly identify emerging creators who align with your agency’s goals.
Combining Tools and Manual Research
The best approach blends automated tools with personal effort. Platforms like NimbusReach can streamline the discovery process, but taking the time to manually review a creator’s recent content and audience interactions ensures they align with your agency’s values and expertise.
Writing DM Scripts That Get Responses
Once you’ve pinpointed the right creators to reach out to, the next step is crafting a DM that grabs their attention. The difference between a message that gets ignored and one that sparks a conversation lies in how well you understand what creators want to hear.
A common mistake agencies make? Leading with their own needs instead of focusing on the creator’s priorities. Your message should come across as offering real value – not as a favor you’re asking for. The goal isn’t to close a deal right away; it’s to start a meaningful conversation.
A well-crafted DM follows a clear structure. It’s personal enough to show you’ve done your homework, yet professional enough to signal that you mean business. This balance helps you convey your message effectively and provides a foundation for tailored DM templates.
Parts of a High-Converting Cold DM
An effective cold DM has four key elements that work together to create a message that resonates. These parts should flow naturally, not feel like a rigid script.
- Start with genuine recognition. Reference something specific about the creator’s recent work. For example: “Your recent post on batch filming really stood out to me.”
- Establish credibility quickly. Share a relevant success story without being vague. Instead of saying, “We help creators grow,” try something like: “We recently helped a lifestyle creator in your niche boost her monthly revenue by refining her content strategy and improving fan engagement.” This builds trust without overwhelming the recipient.
- Make your value proposition crystal clear. Be upfront about what you’re offering. For instance: “We take care of the business side so you can focus on creating.”
- Close with a non-salesy offer. Don’t push for a call or meeting in your first message. Instead, offer something useful with no strings attached: “I’d be happy to share a few tailored ideas for your content strategy. Would that be helpful?”
The tone should be conversational yet professional – like reaching out to a colleague rather than pitching a stranger. Avoid heavy industry jargon or language that feels too formal, as it may create unnecessary distance.
DM Templates for Different Creator Types
Tailor your approach based on the creator’s experience and current stage. A newer creator’s needs differ greatly from those of an established one, so your message should reflect that.
For newer creators (less than 6 months, earning under $2,000/month):
"Hi [Name], I noticed you’ve been posting consistently over the past few months, and your recent [specific content type] posts show how well you’re connecting with your audience.
I specialize in helping creators like you turn their content into a thriving business. For example, we recently worked with someone in a similar position and helped her increase her monthly revenue by introducing a structured content calendar and improving fan engagement.
I’d love to share a few actionable growth strategies tailored to your niche – no sales pitch, just ideas you can use right away. Would that be helpful?"
For mid-tier creators (6+ months, earning $2,000–$10,000/month):
"Hi [Name], I’m impressed by how you’ve built such an engaged community around [specific niche/theme]. Your recent [specific post/series] was a great example of how you connect with your audience.
I work with creators at your level to help them break through growth plateaus. For instance, we recently helped someone in a similar position optimize her content mix and implement strategic fan retention techniques, leading to significant growth in just a few months.
I have some ideas on how you could scale your approach while staying true to your voice. Would you be interested in hearing about them?"
For established creators (earning over $10,000/month):
"Hi [Name], I’ve been following your work for a while and admire how you’ve built such a loyal fanbase. Your approach to [specific strategy they use] is especially impressive – it’s clear you understand the business side of content creation.
I exclusively work with high-earning creators who want to refine operations and explore new revenue streams. Recently, we helped a creator at your level boost monthly earnings by implementing advanced fan segmentation and launching premium content tiers.
If you’re open to it, I’d love to share some advanced strategies that align with your goals. Would you be interested in a quick conversation?"
Adjusting for Platform Culture
Keep in mind that the platform you’re using matters. Instagram creators might respond well to compliments on their aesthetic or visual style, while Twitter creators might appreciate wit or references to trending topics. Tailor your tone and references based on the platform, but stick to the core structure outlined above.
Follow-Up Messages and Multi-Touch Outreach
Sending that first direct message (DM) is just the beginning. Even the most well-crafted message can easily get buried in a busy inbox. That’s why having a structured follow-up plan is what sets professional agencies apart from those that stop after one try.
The trick is to stay persistent without coming across as pushy. Each follow-up should bring something fresh to the table – think of it as continuing the conversation rather than just repeating what you’ve already said.
When and How Often to Follow Up
Both timing and frequency play a big role here. Since creators have different routines, it’s important to adjust your follow-up schedule based on their activity patterns.
- First follow-up: Wait a few days after your initial message before sending a follow-up.
- Second follow-up: If there’s no response, send another message about a week later, giving the creator nearly two weeks to reply to your initial outreach.
- Final follow-up: Leave a longer gap before your last attempt. This shows you value their time while keeping your name in their mind.
If you’ve reached out several times without any engagement – like profile visits or reactions – it’s probably time to move on. In each follow-up, briefly reference your earlier messages, but make sure to include something new. This could be an industry tip, a useful resource, or a note about an opportunity that’s relevant to them.
Also, consider the activity patterns of your target platform. Timing your messages to when creators are most active can improve the chances of a response. And when they do respond, you’ll need to be ready to address their concerns effectively.
Responding to Common Creator Objections
When creators reply, they often bring up specific concerns or hesitations. Handling these objections with care is essential to keeping the conversation positive and productive. Here’s how to address some of the most common ones:
- Past negative experiences with agencies: If a creator mentions bad experiences in the past, acknowledge their concerns and explain how your approach is different. For instance, highlight that your process often starts with a trial period where they retain full control over their accounts and content. This reassures them that their creative freedom and decision-making power remain intact while you handle tasks like fan engagement, scheduling, and performance analysis.
- Concerns about commission fees: Instead of jumping straight to offering discounts, explain what the fee covers. Emphasize the range of services you provide, such as daily management, strategic planning, and promotional support. Show how these services can streamline their operations and boost their revenue over time.
- Already being successful on their own: Some creators might feel they don’t need help because they’re already doing well. In these cases, shift the conversation to focus on growth. Share examples of other creators who partnered with an agency and achieved even greater success by optimizing their schedules or improving fan engagement strategies.
- Needing more time to decide: If a creator asks for more time, don’t rush them. Instead, ask if there are specific concerns holding them back so you can address those directly. Offering additional details can help them feel more confident in their decision.
- Time constraints: When a creator says they’re too busy, explain how your onboarding process is designed to be quick and efficient. Highlight that by taking over routine tasks, you free up their time to focus on what they do best – creating content.
- Pricing objections: If a creator pushes back on pricing, avoid immediately offering a discount. Instead, ask for more details about their concerns. Often, what seems like a pricing issue is really about clarifying the value of your services or building trust. Focus on demonstrating the benefits they’ll gain by working with you.
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Platform-Specific Outreach Methods
Each social media platform has its own unique vibe, user behavior, and messaging system, which means your outreach approach needs to match the platform’s style. Whether the tone is businesslike or casual, tailoring your strategy is key to success. Here’s how you can adapt outreach techniques for different platforms, building on earlier advice for creating high-converting DM scripts.
Platform Comparison for Outreach Success
Twitter/X is one of the go-to platforms for cold outreach, especially to creators. Its short character limit forces you to be concise, which is a plus since busy creators value brevity. Twitter’s public and networking-friendly culture also makes it an ideal place for business messages.
Take this example: In March 2022, web designer Andy Kennedy used TweetDeck to track keywords, spotted a growth opportunity in a tweet by Justin Welsh, and offered targeted advice. The result? A $50,000 contract – a clear win for a value-driven approach.
"Then we started using Drippi – the A.I. service that changed everything for us."
– Dillan Taylor
Instagram has a different dynamic. Messages from non-followers land in a separate inbox, so having a polished profile is essential. This platform works particularly well for visual creators who respond to outreach that feels aesthetically pleasing and tailored.
Reddit requires a more subtle approach. Avoid jumping into direct sales pitches here. Instead, focus on building credibility by contributing to relevant subreddits. Once trust is established, you can transition to private messages. Reddit’s community-driven culture rewards genuine engagement over pushy tactics.
Telegram and Discord thrive on warm, conversational outreach. Including strong social proof or arranging a warm introduction can make a huge difference in connecting with users on these platforms.
Response rates can vary significantly. Twitter/X often delivers high response rates for business-related outreach, while platforms like Discord and Telegram depend heavily on how well you can establish a personal connection.
In October 2024, Dillan Taylor and his business partner took a more automated approach by using Drippi, an AI service, to send 1,952 cold DMs across Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook in under two weeks. This method increased their outreach volume by 400% compared to their manual efforts, which had taken a full month to reach 1,000 people. Even with only 1/10th the effort, their funnel maintained a 1% conversion rate – that’s one new client for every 100 messages sent.
Adapting to Each Platform’s Strengths
- Twitter/X: Keep messages short and professional.
- Instagram: Focus on visually appealing and concise communication.
- Reddit: Be detailed and helpful in public posts before moving to private messages.
- Discord and Telegram: Prioritize a friendly, conversational tone.
Timing is another important factor. Twitter/X tends to be most active during business hours and early evenings. Instagram sees peak activity in the evenings and on weekends, while Reddit users are generally most active in the evenings.
Finally, don’t spread yourself too thin. The most successful agencies focus on 2-3 platforms and develop expertise in their chosen channels. Once your platform strategies are in place, the next step is to measure your results and refine your approach over time.
Measuring and Improving Your Outreach Results
Tracking the success of your outreach efforts is non-negotiable. The difference between agencies that grow effectively and those that falter often boils down to how well they leverage data. By keeping an eye on key metrics, you can identify what’s working in your strategy to connect with creators – and what needs tweaking.
Important Metrics to Track
When it comes to outreach, numbers tell the story. Response rates are a critical indicator of how well your messages are landing. For instance, cold outreach typically sees reply rates between 1% and 5%. Open rates, however, have dropped – from 36% in 2023 to 27.7% in 2024. Personalized campaigns, on the other hand, can significantly outperform generic ones, achieving reply rates as high as 18%.
Meeting conversion rates are another important metric. They help you understand how many of those responses lead to scheduled conversations – essential for gauging whether your value proposition resonates. Additionally, tracking the ratio of positive to negative responses reveals how well your message aligns with your target audience.
Follow-ups are often overlooked but are absolutely essential. Research shows that 80% of sales require at least five follow-ups, yet nearly half of sales reps (48%) don’t bother sending a second follow-up. Even sending just one follow-up email can boost reply rates by 22%.
Social engagement metrics, like whether a creator visits your social profiles before replying, can provide valuable insight into the quality of your outreach. And don’t forget to monitor the conversion rate from initial contact to signed contracts. If you’re reaching out to a lot of creators but not closing deals, it’s a sign that something in your process needs immediate attention.
Improving these metrics takes deliberate effort. To increase open rates, try crafting personalized subject lines. For better response rates, focus on addressing the creator’s needs rather than simply pitching your services. Keep your emails short and to the point – studies show that messages around 150 words can generate up to 15 times more responses compared to shorter emails. For meeting conversions, simplify the scheduling process with tools like Calendly, clearly communicate your value, and offer flexible meeting times to accommodate different time zones.
Tools for Managing Large-Scale Outreach
As your outreach efforts grow, staying organized becomes more challenging. Automated CRM systems can be a lifesaver, helping you manage follow-ups, track metrics, and streamline operations. Platforms like NimbusReach, for example, offer bulk export features and growth alerts that make it easier to manage creator relationships at scale.
Email automation tools are also popular for managing follow-up sequences, but don’t let automation come at the expense of personalization. Combining automated scheduling and tracking with a personal touch in your messages can make all the difference. If you’re working with a smaller team, even a well-structured spreadsheet can do the trick. Include columns for creator names, platforms, contact methods, outreach dates, follow-up dates, response status, and notes to keep everything organized.
Pay close attention to email deliverability. Around 17% of cold emails fail to make it to the inbox due to issues like poor domain authentication or spam-triggering language. Email verification tools can help reduce bounce rates and protect your sender reputation.
Finally, continuous testing is key to refining your outreach. Experiment with different subject lines, email lengths, and sending times. Research suggests that emails sent on Mondays or Tuesdays around 1:00 PM tend to perform best. And remember, quality trumps quantity – sending a smaller number of personalized, well-researched messages will always outperform blasting out thousands of generic ones.
Legal and Professional Standards for Agency Outreach
When refining your outreach strategies, sticking to legal and professional standards isn’t just a formality – it’s the backbone of building trust and fostering lasting partnerships. Operating within these boundaries safeguards your agency and the creators you collaborate with. Let’s dive into the key platform policies and privacy regulations that agencies need to follow.
Following Platform Rules and Policies
Every platform has its own set of rules for outreach, and ignoring them can lead to account suspensions or even permanent bans. Take LinkedIn, for instance. The platform enforces strict limits, allowing only 100–200 connection requests per week, depending on your Social Selling Index and engagement levels. To stay on the safe side, LinkedIn suggests keeping daily requests between 15 and 25 to avoid exceeding weekly caps. Spam, of course, is a big no-no and strictly forbidden.
Beyond platform-specific rules, agencies also need to comply with privacy laws across different regions. For example:
- GDPR (European Union): Requires explicit consent before processing personal data for outreach.
- CAN-SPAM Act (United States): Mandates clear sender identification and an easy opt-out option in commercial emails.
- CASL (Canada): Often requires prior opt-in consent before sending commercial messages.
To ensure compliance, document your efforts. Keep records of consent, contact sources, and unsubscribe lists. Ignoring these regulations can result in hefty fines and damage to your reputation.
Building Trust Through Honest Communication
Trust is the cornerstone of successful creator relationships, and it begins with your very first message. Being transparent about your services, fees, and expectations helps avoid confusion and sets the tone for a professional partnership. Overpromising, especially regarding potential earnings, is a quick way to lose credibility – seasoned creators can spot exaggerations a mile away.
Interestingly, research shows that 67% of decision-makers are open to AI-assisted emails, provided they’re relevant and personalized. While tech can enhance personalization, it’s essential to keep your communication authentic and human.
Respecting boundaries is equally important. If a creator says no, don’t keep pushing – it could damage your reputation. Small touches, like using visual elements in outreach, can make a big difference. For example, LinkedIn campaigns with well-placed visuals see a 21% boost in response rates. Similarly, companies that maintain consistent messaging across platforms – whether it’s outreach emails, website content, or social media – see 33% higher engagement rates.
Being upfront is also key when addressing questions or objections. If a creator asks about your track record, share specific examples and results rather than vague assurances. Even if your agency is new, honesty about your experience and a focus on the tangible value you bring can go a long way in building trust.
Consistency and patience are essential. Whether you’re sharing helpful insights, offering valuable resources, or simply being responsive and professional, every positive interaction strengthens the foundation for long-term success. Trust isn’t built overnight, but every step you take in the right direction adds to the bigger picture.
Conclusion: Building a Successful Cold DM System
Creating an effective cold DM system isn’t about finding a single perfect message – it’s about constant experimentation. The most successful agencies understand that no universal script works for every creator, so they prioritize ongoing testing and refinement.
As discussed earlier, the foundation of a strong outreach system lies in making data-driven decisions. By tracking every interaction, you can uncover which messaging strategies lead to higher open rates and better responses. For instance, a current experiment in 2025 is testing 600 cold DMs on LinkedIn, including 150 personalized videos and 120 voice notes. Early findings show that templated messages yield acceptance rates of about 15%, while blank connection requests can reach up to 40%. Reply rates vary widely, from 5% to over 50%, depending on whether you lead with value or dive straight into a pitch.
Personalization remains your greatest advantage. Tailor your messages by researching profiles to find conversation starters, recent achievements, or shared connections. This extra effort often makes the difference between being ignored and starting a meaningful conversation.
Another key element is fine-tuning your call-to-action (CTA). Testing smaller, more approachable requests – like asking, "Are you open to a few ideas?" – can boost response rates and encourage natural dialogue.
To streamline this process, consider tools like NimbusReach. This platform offers valuable analytics, such as the Fan Devotion Score and engagement metrics, helping you segment your outreach and craft targeted messages for both established and up-and-coming creators. These insights allow for more precise adjustments and better overall results.
An effective cold DM system combines thoughtful research, personalized outreach, and consistent follow-up. Keep a close eye on your response rates, analyze what resonates, and adapt your strategy based on real-world data. Agencies that treat cold DMing as a skill to be honed over time consistently build stronger, more lasting partnerships with creators.
FAQs
What’s the best way for agencies to personalize cold DMs and grab a creator’s attention?
To make your cold DMs stand out, focus on personalization and keeping your message relevant. Start by addressing the creator by name and referencing something specific about their work, like a recent post or their unique style. For example, you could mention how their content aligns with what your agency offers. This personal touch shows you’re genuinely interested and not just sending out generic messages.
Highlight clear benefits that matter to creators, such as boosting their earnings or simplifying their workload, and keep your tone professional but friendly. A strong example might be: "Hi [Name], I really enjoy your content on [platform]! Have you ever thought about branching out to OnlyFans? Our agency helps creators like you grow their income while handling all the behind-the-scenes tasks."
By focusing on building trust and offering real value, you’ll stand out and increase your chances of getting a positive reply.
What are common mistakes agencies make when cold DMing creators, and how can they avoid them?
Agencies sometimes stumble by sending out generic messages, skipping personalization, or failing to clearly communicate the benefits they bring. These kinds of mistakes can make outreach seem cold or irrelevant, which often results in poor response rates.
To steer clear of these errors, agencies should take the time to research the creator beforehand. Tailor messages to show genuine interest in the creator’s work – mentioning specific details about their content or recent achievements can make a big difference. Messages should also be short, professional, and to the point. Clearly outline what you bring to the table and include a straightforward call to action to make it easy for the creator to respond. A little effort in building trust and showing sincerity can help create stronger, more meaningful connections.
How can agencies identify creators with strong growth potential and highly engaged audiences for successful outreach?
Agencies can spot creators with promising growth and active audiences by diving into key metrics like follower growth patterns, engagement rates, and how well their content fits within their niche. Pay attention to creators who regularly engage with their audience through comments, likes, and shares – this shows they have a loyal and interactive following.
Using analytics tools or social media insights can also be a game-changer. These tools help identify creators whose audience demographics match your target market. Focusing on creators who have a genuine connection with their followers boosts the chances of forming strong partnerships and achieving impactful collaborations.
