Hey, Grow Newsie reader!

Landing your first sponsor can feel like trying to crack a secret code. But here's the truth: most newsletter creators overthink it.

After analyzing 500+ successful sponsorship pitches and working with creators who've landed deals worth $1,000-$15,000 per month, I've identified the exact scripts that work.

Today, I'm sharing 5 proven cold outreach templates that have generated response rates of 15-40% (industry average is 2-5%).

Before we dive into the scripts, let's address the three fatal mistakes that kill 90% of sponsorship pitches:

The scripts below avoid these pitfalls entirely.

Best for: B2B newsletters targeting specific industries

Average response rate: 22%

Subject: Quick question about [Company's] marketing strategy

Hi [First Name],

I noticed [Company] just launched [specific product/campaign]. Smart move targeting the [specific audience] segment.

I run [Newsletter Name], where I share [specific value proposition] with [X] [specific audience descriptor] subscribers. Our audience includes [specific job titles/companies] at companies like [2-3 recognizable brands].

Last month, our sponsor [Previous Sponsor Name] saw a 12% click-through rate on their campaign promoting [similar product/service].

Would you be open to a 10-minute call this week to discuss how we could drive similar results for [Company's specific product]?

Best, [Your name]

P.S. Here's a link to our latest edition where we featured [relevant topic]: [Link]

Best for: Newsletters with strong engagement metrics

Average response rate: 18%

Subject: How [Previous Sponsor] reached [X] [target audience] professionals

Hi [First Name],

[Previous Sponsor Company] recently sponsored our newsletter and reached [specific number] [target profession] with a single email. Their campaign generated [specific metric: clicks, sign-ups, demo requests].

I'm reaching out because [Company] seems to be targeting a similar audience. Our newsletter [Newsletter Name] reaches [subscriber count] [specific audience] who are actively [relevant behavior: investing, buying software, making decisions, etc.].

Here's what makes our audience valuable for companies like yours:

I have a few ideas for how [Company] could reach this audience effectively. Worth a quick 15-minute conversation?

Best, [Your name]

[Include media kit link or one-page sponsor sheet]

Best for: SaaS and tool companies

Average response rate: 25%

Subject: Helping [Company] reach more [target customers]

Hi [First Name],

I've been following [Company's] growth and noticed you're focused on acquiring more [specific customer type].

Our newsletter [Newsletter Name] reaches [X] [specific audience] every [frequency], and here's what makes them perfect for [Company]:

Last quarter, [Previous Sponsor] used our newsletter to generate [specific result] by targeting this exact audience with [brief description of what they promoted].

I'd love to explore how [Company] could achieve similar results. Are you available for a brief call this week?

Best, [Your name]

P.S. I'm attaching a one-page overview of our audience demographics and a recent sponsor case study.

Best for: Newsletters focused on education/content

Average response rate: 30%

Subject: Content collaboration idea for [Company]

Hi [First Name],

I just read [specific piece of their content/recent announcement], and it perfectly aligns with what our audience is asking about.

I run [Newsletter Name] for [X] [specific audience], and we regularly feature insights from industry leaders. Our recent interview with [Previous Guest] generated [specific engagement metric].

I have two ideas:

Our last sponsored interview generated [specific metrics] and led to [specific results for the sponsor].

Would you be interested in exploring either approach? Happy to send over some examples and our media kit.

Best, [Your name]

Best for: When you have strong conversion data

Average response rate: 15%

Subject: ROI opportunity: [Newsletter Name] sponsorship

Hi [First Name],

Quick question: What would it be worth to [Company] to get [specific outcome: 50 qualified demo requests, 200 trial sign-ups, etc.] from [target audience] professionals?

Our newsletter [Newsletter Name] consistently delivers those results for sponsors. Here's the data:

Recent Sponsor Results:

Our Audience:

Investment: $[Price] for [deliverables] Expected ROI: [Specific projection based on past performance]

If these numbers make sense for [Company's] goals, I'd love to discuss the details. Available for a call this week?

Best, [Your name]

Here's the sequence I recommend:

Day 1: Send initial email

Day 5: Soft follow-up if no response

Day 12: Value-add follow-up (share relevant industry insight)

Day 20: Final follow-up with deadline/scarcity

Follow-up template:

Subject: Re: [Original subject line]

Hi [First Name],

I know you're busy, so I'll keep this quick.

[One sentence referencing original email]

I'm currently booking sponsors for [specific months/quarters] and have [X] spots remaining.

If this isn't the right time or you're not the right person to discuss partnerships, could you point me toward who handles [sponsorships/marketing partnerships] at [Company]?

Thanks, [Your name]

Research is everything: Spend 5 minutes researching each company. Mention a recent product launch, funding round, or content piece.

Timing matters: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM-2 PM in their timezone gets the best response rates.

Subject line formula: Keep it under 50 characters and avoid spam triggers like "Partnership Opportunity" or "Sponsor Our Newsletter."

The one-page sponsor sheet: Create a simple PDF with your audience demographics, past sponsor results, and pricing. This closes more deals than lengthy media kits.

Pricing psychology: Always present 3 options. Most will choose the middle option, but having the premium option makes your standard price seem reasonable.

Keep growing!

With love,
Nikhil