7 Ways to Design Content That Makes Brand Managers Think "We Need Someone Like Them"

December 10, 2025

Brand managers are flooded with pitches from content creators, but only a few stand out as true strategic partners worth bringing in-house. This article breaks down seven proven strategies that transform content from forgettable to indispensable, backed by insights from industry experts who've made the leap from freelancer to sought-after collaborator. These approaches focus on demonstrating measurable value, strategic thinking, and alignment with business objectives that matter most to decision-makers.

  • Expose Costly Blind Spots Show Impact

  • Craft Pre-Approved Assets That Match Ads

  • Choose Clarity Over Cleverness

  • Fuse Humanity and Strategic Humor

  • Prove Results Through User-Driven Tests

  • Prioritize Outcomes Ensure Brand Safety

  • Deliver Immediate Practical Wins

Expose Costly Blind Spots Show Impact

If I want a brand manager to stop scrolling and think "we need someone like them," I start by exposing a blind spot they didn't realize was costing them money, then I prove it with a real example.

Recently, I posted a breakdown showing how one brand was losing 38% of its potential conversions because their top-performing page ranked well but failed to match user intent; in the same post, I rewrote the hero section and showed the projected lift.

That kind of content doesn't pitch; it demonstrates expertise in real time, making the reader feel like you're already solving their problems before they ever reach out.

When your insight creates an "I've never thought of that" moment, the decision is made long before the conversation begins.

Craft Pre-Approved Assets That Match Ads

The most effective way I design content to instantly win over a brand manager is by adopting what I call "The Pre-Approved Asset" strategy. Most creators make the mistake of posting content that looks like a personal vlog, forcing the brand manager to use their imagination to see how the product would fit into a commercial context. I flip this dynamic by researching the brand's current paid media using the Meta Ad Library and then structuring my content to mimic the pacing, text overlays, and visual hierarchy of their top-performing ads. I essentially create a "spec ad" that looks like it has already been through their legal and design compliance departments.

This works because it demonstrates Commercial Empathy, proving that I understand their business goals are distinct from my vanity metrics. When I integrate a product, I don't just hold it up and smile; I ensure the label is facing the lens without glare, I leave the correct "safe zones" clear of text so their UI buttons won't cover the product, and I deliver a clear call-to-action that aligns with their current campaign slogan. This signals that I am not just an "influencer" looking for free stuff, but a production partner who understands the technical requirements of converting a viewer into a customer.

By delivering a piece of content that looks like it could be dragged and dropped into their Ads Manager today without a single edit, I remove the friction of risk. The brand manager doesn't have to guess if I can deliver high-quality assets because I have already put the evidence on the screen. It shifts their internal monologue from "Can we teach this person our brand guidelines?" to "This person already speaks our language," which is the fastest route to a signed contract.

Andrew Zhurakov, Graphic Designer, WebPtoJPGHero

Choose Clarity Over Cleverness

I focus on clarity over cleverness in every piece of content I create. Early in my career, I learned that trying to sound smart actually gets in the way of real engagement. Brand managers appreciate when someone can take complex ideas and make them accessible to their audience. This approach directly impacts business results because people actually understand the message and take action. When content is clear and straightforward, it builds trust and connection with the audience. That's the kind of measurable impact that makes brands want to work with you.

Fuse Humanity and Strategic Humor

Every design element I create aims to convey a sense of human essence, making it feel like a real person is behind the screen--someone who genuinely understands your challenges. The content provides specific results and clear insights with a direct tone that stays confident without trying too hard. A brand manager should feel the relief of finding someone who communicates on their level while also showing a forward-thinking mindset.

One B2B client project really stands out: their marketing campaign used a humorous video to present their SaaS solution by comparing it to a dating app. The entertaining approach led to a 43% increase in demo signups. That mix of strategic thinking and personal touch makes brands want to invest in this kind of innovative direction.

Prove Results Through User-Driven Tests

I focus on showing results rather than just strategy. When I create content, I start by researching what users are actually searching for using tools like AlsoAsked, then build frameworks around that user intent. From there, I run A/B tests and track ranking improvements to prove what works. The key is combining data-driven strategy with quality human writing and user-friendly design. Brand managers want to see that you can increase traffic and conversions, not just talk about it. When they see the full process and measurable results, that's when they realize they need that expertise on their team.

Aly Johnson, Head of Content, Assertive

Prioritize Outcomes Ensure Brand Safety

I design my content so a brand manager scrolls away thinking, "We need someone like them," by creating what I call Outcome-First Content. Instead of just showing skills, I make the viewer feel the result. Every piece starts with a hook targeting a real brand pain point: low engagement, weak storytelling, inconsistent branding, so they instantly relate. Then I add a quick, subtle insight or mini case-study that shows how I've solved similar issues without sounding salesy. And finally,

 I keep the visuals and tone clean, brand-safe, and strategically creative, because brands want someone who understands both creativity and discipline. This mix makes the content feel useful, professional, and instantly "plug-and-play" with any brand, which is exactly what makes a manager stop and think, Yep, this is the person we need.

Deliver Immediate Practical Wins

I position every piece as something they can immediately use. No fluff. No theory without application. Every post includes something they can apply that same day, frameworks, lines to steal, patterns, shortcuts, rewrites. When your content gives them a win before they even hire you, they naturally think, "If this is the free value... imagine the paid work."