From Zero Pitches to Repeat Brand Deals: 5 Creators Share Their Bento Wins

“Does this actually work?” is a question we hear a lot from creators thinking about a pitching tool, and it’s a fair one. So instead of answering it ourselves, we asked five creators using Bento to tell us how it’s going: what they were doing before, the deals they’ve landed, and their best pitching advice.

They’re a mix: full-time and part-time, solo creators and a two-person team, in the US and in the UK. Some had never pitched a brand before. Others were coming from agencies.

Before Bento: Nothing. No pitching at all.

Favorite Bento deal: Verb Energy, her first-ever brand deal.

“First brand deal: Verb Energy for $650, and [I] upsold content upon delivery for $800.”

It’s a good reminder that delivery day is one of the best times to pitch more work, because the brand is already happy with what you’ve made.

Favorite thing about Bento? “Quick pitching.”

Before Bento: An agency and manual pitching.

Favorite Bento deal: Organic Basics.

“I secured a deal with Organic Basics and they actually asked me to work with them again for the fall :)”

Gianna left an agency for Bento, and she says the biggest change has been time:

“I love that I don’t have to go hunting for brand contacts, that I can have AI score my pitching right inside the platform, that I can organize all of my campaigns in one place and that I can keep track of my pitches and followups. I am such a busy creator and Bento has made my life SO much easier!”

Before Bento: Nothing.

Favorite Bento deal: Tolan AI.

For Jessica, Bento is now the first stop whenever a brand catches her eye:

“My favorite thing about Bento is the connection to so many brands! If I see a brand I want to pitch to, the first thing I do is check to see if they’re on Bento! 9/10 times, they are!!”

She also called out automatic follow-ups as “definitely another favorite part.”  She doesn’t have to remember to chase every brand by hand.

Before Bento: Just Instagram DMs.

Favorite Bento deal: Sundays for Dogs.

Clare and Josh create as a team, and they’re working on turning their part-time UGC business into a full-time one. Their favorite feature has nothing to do with sending emails. It’s Creator Pay Insights, which shows what brands have actually paid other creators so you can price with confidence instead of guessing.

Before Bento: Manual pitching and agencies.

Favorite Bento deal: She couldn’t pick just one: Pure Dog, Doulton, and Voy.

Leanne’s a good answer to anyone wondering whether Bento works outside the US. Her favorite part is how simple it is:

“It’s so easy to use and send pitches and has the contact information you need.”

Their best pitching advice

We asked each creator for one tip. Together, they make a pretty good pitching checklist:

1. Let your personality show. “Personalize your pitches and let your personality shine through!” – Jessica
2. Be specific about what you bring. “Be specific in your pitches about who YOU are and what you can do for the brand.” – Abigail
3. Always follow up. “Follow up emails are so important!” – Clare + Josh
4. Expect some no’s, and keep going. “Stay consistent and don’t get discouraged when brands ghost you or say no to you!” – Gianna
5. Give it time. “Don’t give up before the magic happens!” – Jessica

And Leanne’s tip, in full: “Use Bento!!”  We didn’t pay her to say that. 😉