What is a brand deal pipeline?

It is a list of brands you may work with and the next step for each one. It shows who needs more research, who is ready for a note, and who needs a follow-up. The goal is not a huge list. The goal is a clear next step.

Use the free tracker on this page to keep your brand talks in one place. It runs in your browser. You can save brands, see what is due, and mark where each talk stands.

Build the list one good idea at a time

Do not add a brand just because it has money. Add it when you see a real fit and a clear way to help.

  1. Find a brand. Look for a product that may help your viewers.
  2. Find a need. Look for a gap you can see in its public work.
  3. Plan how you can help. Write one useful video or ad idea for that brand.
  4. Find a person. Look for the person who may own creator work.
  5. Set the next step. Pick one task and one date.

Start with our guides to find brands that fit and find the right brand contact.

A good pipeline is not a promise

A brand may not reply. Its plans may change. Your list only helps you do the next useful task. It does not tell you how many deals you will win.

Use the free brand deal tracker

Add one brand at a time. Write what the brand may need and how you can help. Then set the next task and date. You can edit any row later.

YouTube brand deal pipeline

Your data stays in this browser on this device. Creators Agency does not receive what you type.

Leave this blank until you know when the first note was sent.

Your saved brands

Filter the list to see what is due. Search by company, contact, task, or where things stand.

CompanyWhere things standNext actionDueContactActions
No rows match this view. Add a brand or change the filter.

Your browser may delete saved rows. Download a CSV backup if you need a copy. We make the file safe to open in a spreadsheet.

What each step means

  • Researching: You are still checking the fit.
  • Ready: Your idea and proof are ready.
  • Sent: The first note has been sent.
  • Follow-up: You are still in the follow-up plan.
  • Replied: The brand wrote back.
  • Talking about the work: You and the brand are planning the work.
  • Paused: You will wait and may circle back later.
  • Done/not a fit: You are done with this brand for now.

Put proof in the note, not just the tracker

The tracker is for you. The brand still needs a short and useful note. Put key proof in the email as text. Do not make the reader open a link just to see why you may help.

Do not lead with a rate. First see if the brand likes the plan. Then agree on what you will make, when it is due, how many edits are included, where the brand can use your work, and whether you can work with similar brands. Set the fee after all of this is clear. Use our sponsor email template and creator pricing guide when you reach those steps.

Use a new tracker after a deal is signed

This page is for finding and talking with brands. Once a deal is signed, you need a new list for the brief, draft, post date, invoice, payment, and renewal. Keep that work on the signed brand deal tracker.

Keep trust first

Do not take a deal that hurts trust with your viewers. The pipeline should help you find a good fit. It should not push you to say yes to every brand.

This guide reflects Creators Agency's work on more than 4,000 sponsored deliverables since 2021. A deliverable is one paid ad a creator made and posted. Apple Crider, CEO, reviewed the guide and tracker.

Frequently asked questions

What is a brand deal pipeline?

It is a list of brands you may work with and the next step for each one. It helps you know who to research, who to email, and who needs a follow-up.

How many brands should be in my pipeline?

There is no set number. Add brands only when you see a real fit and a clear way to help. A short list of good ideas can be more useful than a long list of random names.

How often should I follow up?

Creators Agency often follows up every two days at least four times, then pauses and may circle back later. This is our work plan, not a rule for every brand. Stop if a person asks you to stop.

Does this tool save my brand data?

The tracker saves data only in this browser on this device. Creators Agency does not receive what you type. You can download a CSV backup or clear all saved data at any time.

Free tips for creators

Learn how brand deals work.

Follow Creators Agency on Instagram. We share clear tips about pitches, rates, and deal terms.

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