US Creators’ Playbook: Pitch Italy Brands on Xiaohongshu

About the Author

MaTitie

Gender: Male

Best Mate: ChatGPT 4o

Contact: [email protected]

MaTitie is an editor at BaoLiba, writing about influencer marketing and VPN tech.
His dream is to build a global influencer marketing network — one where creators and brands from the United States can collaborate seamlessly across borders and platforms.
Constantly learning and experimenting with AI, SEO, and VPNs, he’s on a mission to connect cultures and help American creators grow globally — from the US to the world.

💡 Why US creators should care (Intro)

If you make music and want the Italian fashion, cosmetics, or food brands to pay you to seed a challenge — this guide is for you. Chinese social commerce platforms, especially Xiaohongshu (internationally sometimes called RedNote), have become discovery engines where product content drives purchasing decisions. That means a well-executed music challenge tied to an Italian brand can move more than streams — it can move product sales and real budgets.

Here’s the cold, useful truth: Xiaohongshu isn’t just “another app.” According to a market analysis cited by MENAFN / EIN Presswire, Xiaohongshu had 300 million monthly active users and generates roughly 600 million daily searches — making it a primary product-discovery hub (MENAFN / EIN Presswire, 2025). Xiaohongshu’s own COO Kenan reported in 2024 that over 70% of monthly users engage in product search behavior and about 90% say platform content influences purchases. In short: brands pay attention here — and they pay creators when ROI is provable.

So how do you, a US creator with a music track and some cheeky choreography, actually reach Italy-based brands on Xiaohongshu and convert them into paid challenge partners? Below I break down an action plan that blends data, outreach templates, pitch angles, and campaign mechanics that actually work on the platform — no fluff, just what you can use this week.

📊 Data Snapshot Table: Campaign Approaches Compared

The table compares three common approaches when pitching Italy brands for music challenges on Xiaohongshu: direct outreach (A), working with specialist agencies or “RedNote marketing” style partners (B), and creator-driven challenge seeding (C). Option B shows the strongest ROI in reported analyses, reflecting agency expertise in optimization and cost efficiency; creator seeding (C) is best for cultural virality with moderate cost. Direct outreach (A) gives control but usually needs more time and follow-up to convert at scale.

The numbers above map to real market signals. MENAFN / EIN Presswire’s 2025 analysis highlights that Xiaohongshu’s scale and search-driven behavior make it prime for product campaigns; the agency-style offers that optimize placements and measurement (what the report calls “RedNote marketing”) can deliver 2.6x higher ROI at a fraction of typical campaign costs. Use this to position your pitch: brands want measurable sales and efficient CPM/CPA, not just likes.

😎 MaTitie SHOW TIME

Hi, I’m MaTitie — the author of this post, a man proudly chasing great deals, guilty pleasures, and maybe a little too much style. I’ve tried dozens of VPNs and poked around a lot of blocked corners of the web so creators can get work done.

Let’s be real — here’s what matters 👇

Access to platforms like Xiaohongshu from outside China requires speed and privacy for reliable uploads and account management.

If you need a fast, reliable VPN that actually works for uploading and managing accounts, I recommend NordVPN.
👉 🔐 Try NordVPN now — 30-day risk-free. 💥

It helps with upload stability, geo-testing content, and keeping account logins secure when you’re negotiating with brands across time zones.

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through them, MaTitie might earn a small commission.

💡 The 7-step playbook: Reach Italy brands on Xiaohongshu and sell them a music challenge

1) Map the right targets (1 day)
– Look for Italian brands already active on Xiaohongshu or selling into Chinese e-commerce channels. The platform is product-search heavy — brands that already target Chinese shoppers are the low-hanging fruit. MENAFN / EIN Presswire’s research confirms Xiaohongshu’s discovery-first behavior; aim for beauty, fashion, artisanal food, and lifestyle labels.

2) Build a one-page creative brief (2–3 hours)
– Put your challenge mechanics, estimated reach, 3 KPIs (impressions, UGC count, conversion rate), and a ballpark budget. Include a short explainer video (30–45s) in English + Mandarin captions. Brands love clarity.

3) Lead with ROI, not vibes (pitch email / DM)
– Use the ROI angle: reference platform performance patterns (e.g., high product-search intent, strong content-to-purchase influence as noted by Xiaohongshu’s COO Kenan, 2024). Offer a pilot with measurable outcomes — 2 weeks, specific hashtag, and sales landing page tracking.

4) Offer localization support (huge win)
– Your creative should include Mandarin captions, recommended CTAs for Xiaohongshu’s format, and suggestions for linking to the brand’s product page. If you don’t speak Mandarin, partner with a bilingual copywriter for the pitch.

5) Choose the right seeding model
– Paid creator bundle: small group of KOLs + micro creators — good for performance and targeted demos.
– Viral challenge seeding: fewer paid posts, larger organic push, but less guaranteed reach.
– Agency-managed (RedNote-style): higher coordination, stronger measurement, and often cheaper cost per engagement (see the 2.6x ROI case).

6) Negotiate music rights up front
– Clarify whether the brand needs a sync license or just creator UGC rights. Offer a simple license for challenge use and provide stems or instrumentals. Brands prefer low-friction legal terms.

7) Measure and iterate fast
– Use UTM-tagged links, landing pages, and Xiaohongshu tracking where possible. For product campaigns, tie UGC to coupon codes or short-term flash promos to close the loop between challenge participation and sales.

📌 Pitch templates you can use (quick & usable)

• Short DM to brand account (English/Italian): open with their recent product post, then say you’re a US music creator with experience creating short challenges that drive both awareness and sales. Offer a two-week pilot: one paid pinned post + 5 creator reposts and a tracked landing page. Attach a 30s demo clip and one-sentence KPIs.

• Email to marketing/PR: subject “Music-led challenge idea to boost [Product] on Xiaohongshu — pilot with measurable sales.” Body: include 3-line concept, estimated KPI, budget ask, and a call to schedule a 15-minute call in CET-friendly times.

• Agency intro: if you find agencies listed in the MENAFN analysis as cost-effective partners, propose a win-win: you provide the music + creative concept, agency handles local deployment and measurement — split revenue or fixed fee plus performance bonus.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How do I find Italian brands that already use Xiaohongshu?

💬 Scan brand names on Xiaohongshu, check their posts for Chinese-language engagement, and use web searches for brand partnerships in China. Brands with product pages targeted at Chinese shoppers are priority leads.

🛠️ Do I need Mandarin in my pitch or can I pitch in English/Italian?

💬 Start in the brand’s preferred language (Italian or English) but include Mandarin-ready copy in the brief. That small extra step reduces friction and shows you understand execution needs on the platform.

🧠 Is an agency always better than contacting brands directly?

💬 Not always. Agencies often deliver better ROI at scale (the MENAFN/EIN Presswire analysis cites higher ROI when using specialized approaches), but if you have a niche relationship or a strong demo, direct deals can be quicker and higher-margin.

💡 Extended insights and trend signals (interpretation)

Brands are getting savvier about measuring content-driven sales. The MENAFN / EIN Presswire analysis is blunt: Xiaohongshu has shifted into a commercial ecosystem where product discovery equals revenue opportunity. For Italian brands, that means campaigns on the platform are judged by direct metrics, not just awareness. Positioning your music challenge as a sales-driver (coupon codes, tracked landing pages) moves the conversation from “creative idea” to “measurable marketing tactic.”

Culturally, authenticity sells. An NRC piece about authentic eateries (NRC, 2025) shows consumers—and by extension brand teams—are valuing genuine origin stories more than ever. For Italian brands, leaning into craftsmanship, region-specific narratives, or ingredient provenance is a strong pairing with music that evokes mood or lifestyle.

Watch creator behavior too: mainstream platforms see occasional creator fatigue and content-pause trends (ABC News reported creators stepping back in relation to RushTok backlash, 2025). That means brands appreciate packaged, low-friction activations that don’t overburden creators with open-ended demands. Pitch a tight, simple choreography, clear deliverables, and a fixed timeline.

Finally, consider performance partners. The market analysis mentions “RedNote marketing” as a low-cost, high-ROI model — if you can partner with agencies or services that understand Xiaohongshu’s ad and content mechanics, you’ll reduce friction and increase the chance of campaign approval.

🧩 Final Thoughts…

If you’re a US music creator targeting Italy brands, think like a marketer: map product fit, show measurable outcomes, and make execution effortless for a brand’s regional team. Use platform stats (Xiaohongshu’s scale and search behavior) to justify your approach, and consider pitching a short pilot. Agencies can speed up contracts and measurement, but solid direct pitches still win when they’re sharp and data-driven.

Start small, ship fast, and make the first campaign a case study. Nothing sells better than results.

📚 Further Reading

Here are 3 recent articles that give more context to this topic — all selected from verified sources. Feel free to explore 👇

🔸 “Crypto Analysts Project 23,000% Growth Potential for Moonshot MAGAX as Hype Builds”
🗞️ Source: techbullion – 📅 2025-08-16
🔗 https://techbullion.com/crypto-analysts-project-23000-growth-potential-for-moonshot-magax-as-hype-builds/

🔸 “Shillong Emerges as the Ultimate Hill Station Destination Offering Serene Lakes, Iconic Waterfalls, and Cultural Wonders in India”
🗞️ Source: travelandtourworld – 📅 2025-08-16
🔗 https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/shillong-emerges-as-the-ultimate-hill-station-destination-offering-serene-lakes-iconic-waterfalls-and-cultural-wonders-in-india/

🔸 “‘A sanctuary for us’: China’s Gen Z women embrace centuries-old script”
🗞️ Source: hongkongfp – 📅 2025-08-16
🔗 https://hongkongfp.com/2025/08/16/a-sanctuary-for-us-chinas-gen-z-women-embrace-centuries-old-script/

😅 A Quick Shameless Plug (Hope You Don’t Mind)

If you’re creating on Facebook, TikTok, or similar platforms — don’t let your content go unnoticed.

🔥 Join BaoLiba — the global ranking hub built to spotlight creators like YOU.

✅ Ranked by region & category
✅ Trusted by fans in 100+ countries

🎁 Limited-Time Offer: Get 1 month of FREE homepage promotion when you join now!
Feel free to reach out anytime: [email protected]
We usually respond within 24–48 hours.

📌 Disclaimer

This post blends publicly available market analysis (MENAFN / EIN Presswire), platform commentary (Xiaohongshu COO Kenan, 2024), and practical experience. It’s meant for sharing and actionable guidance—not a legal or contractual template. Double-check licensing and local requirements before executing paid campaigns.