How to Pitch Local Businesses as a Creator

Most creators wait around hoping a brand will notice them. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of local restaurants, studios, and clinics within walking distance that would love the exposure you can bring — they just don't know how to work with influencers.

This guide will teach you how to approach any local business, pitch a voucher deal they can't refuse, and turn it into a campaign that earns you money while giving your audience something genuinely valuable.

Why local deals beat brand sponsorships

Brand deals are competitive. Thousands of creators are pitching the same DTC brands, and most never hear back. Local businesses are the opposite: they have a real marketing problem (getting customers through the door), your audience is their ideal customer, and almost nobody else is pitching them.

Here's what makes local deals different:

• Lower barrier to entry. You don't need 100k followers. A restaurant owner cares about local reach, not total follower count. Even 2,000 followers in the right city can fill tables.
• You keep the relationship. Unlike one-off brand deals, a good local partnership can run multiple campaigns over months.
• Your audience gets real value. A free dessert or trial class is tangible. It's not a discount code — it's an experience they can walk into.
• You earn per sale, not per post. With CherryIt's voucher model, you earn a percentage every time someone buys. One post can keep paying for weeks.

How to find the right venue

Not every business is a good fit. You want venues that are:

Already active on social media

If a restaurant has an Instagram account with decent photos, they already understand the value of social media. They're far more likely to say yes to a creator collaboration than a business with no online presence.

Aligned with your niche

A food creator should pitch restaurants and cafes. A fitness influencer should target studios and gyms. A beauty creator should approach clinics and salons. Your audience expects recommendations that match your content — don't pitch a gym if you're a food blogger.

Have a product that works as a perk

The ideal venue has something they can offer for free or at low cost that feels high-value to the customer. A dessert costs a restaurant a few euros to produce but feels like a gift to the customer. A trial class costs a studio nothing if the slot would otherwise go empty.

Start with businesses you already visit and enjoy. Authenticity matters — your audience can tell the difference between a genuine recommendation and a forced collaboration.

Crafting the perfect pitch

You can pitch in person or via DM. Both work, but in-person tends to convert better because you're demonstrating initiative and building rapport immediately.

The in-person pitch

Visit the business. Be a customer first. Then, when talking to a manager or owner, try something like:

"Hey, I really love what you do here. I'm a content creator with [X] followers in [city], and I think my audience would love this place. Would you be open to offering a small perk — like a free dessert or welcome drink — that I can turn into a voucher my followers can claim? It's completely free for you and brings new customers through the door."

The DM pitch

Keep it short, specific, and focused on what's in it for them:

"Hi! I'm [name], a local creator with [X] followers in [city]. I'd love to partner with you on a voucher campaign — I'd promote a small perk (like a free appetizer) to my audience, and they'd visit to redeem it. It's free for you and brings new faces through the door. Would you be open to a quick chat?"

What to avoid

• Don't lead with follower count — lead with value to their business.
• Don't ask for free meals for yourself — this is about your audience.
• Don't be vague. Have a specific perk in mind before you pitch.
• Don't send a generic message. Mention something specific about their business.

What to offer (and what to avoid)

The best deals are low cost for the venue and high perceived value for the customer. CherryIt requires that every voucher price is clearly lower than the real value of the perk — so your audience always gets a genuine deal.

Great deals that work

• Free dessert with any main course — costs the restaurant ~€2, feels like a €8-12 gift
• Welcome drink for the table — a cocktail or glass of wine sets the mood
• Free trial class — empty slots cost a studio nothing to fill
• Express facial or mini treatment — showcases the clinic's expertise
• Free coffee with brunch — gets weekend foot traffic moving

Deals to avoid

• Percentage discounts — "10% off" sounds like a regular promo, not an exclusive perk
• Anything that costs the venue too much — if the perk cuts into profits, they'll say no
• Perks with too many conditions — "free dessert on Tuesdays between 2-4pm with a main over €20" won't sell

Closing the deal

Once a venue is interested, keep the process simple:

1. Agree on the specific perk. Write it down: "Free dessert with any main course at Restaurant Noma."
2. Agree on how customers redeem. With CherryIt, they show a QR code. The venue scans it in their free dashboard — no hardware needed.
3. Set expectations. Explain that the campaign runs for 30 days, fans can cancel up to day 28, and the venue gets real customer reviews on the campaign page.
4. Ask them to create a free CherryIt account. This takes 30 seconds and lets you tag them in the campaign.

Don't overcomplicate it. The simpler the deal, the more likely the venue says yes — and the more likely your audience buys.

Setting it up on CherryIt

Once the venue agrees, setting up the campaign takes minutes:

1. Create the campaign — add the deal details, tag the venue, and set a voucher price.
2. Upload content — a photo or video from your visit. Authentic content converts better than polished shots.
3. Submit for review — CherryIt checks the deal is fair and valuable. Most campaigns are approved within 24 hours.
4. Share the link — post it on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or wherever your audience is. One link works everywhere.

Every time a follower buys the voucher, you earn a percentage. On the Free plan, you keep 50%. On Starter and Pro, you keep 70%.