Common Deal Types:
Pro Tips:
Section 3: Factors That Affect Your Rate
Section 4: Deliverable Types & Pricing
| Deliverable | Pricing Multiplier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| In-feed video (1) | 1x base rate | Standard deliverable |
| In-feed video (3-pack) | 2.5x base rate | Bundle discount vs 3x single posts |
| Spark Ads rights (30 days) | +50-100% | Brand can boost as ad |
| Spark Ads rights (unlimited) | +200-300% | Perpetual ad usage |
| LIVE stream mention | 0.5-0.7x base | Less permanent, lower production |
| Product showcase/unboxing | 1.2-1.5x base | More work, product demo |
| Series (5+ videos) | 4-5x base | Volume discount, ongoing partnership |
| Multi-platform (TT + IG + YT) | 2.5-3.5x base | Broader reach, more work |
| Brand ambassadorship (3 mo) | 8-12x base | Exclusivity, ongoing content |
| Exclusivity clause (no competitors) | +100-150% | Opportunity cost |
Section 5: How to Negotiate with Brands
The Negotiation Framework
- 1
Let them make first offer (if possible): "I'd love to work together. What's your budget for this campaign?" Often they offer more than you'd ask.
- 2
If you must quote first, start high (20-30% above target): "My rate for this type of campaign is $5,000." Gives negotiation room.
- 3
Justify with data: "Based on my 8% engagement rate and 50K followers, the Brand Deal Rate Calculator suggests $4,000-6,000 for my tier."
- 4
Use silence: After stating your rate, STOP TALKING. First person to speak loses leverage. Let them respond.
- 5
If they counter low, negotiate deliverables not just price: "At $3,000 I can do 2 videos instead of 3, or we remove Spark Ads rights."
- 6
Know your walk-away number before negotiating: If your minimum is $2,500, don't accept $2,000 just because they're pushy.
Handling Low Offers
Brand offers 50% of your rate:
"I appreciate the offer. My rate accounts for my 8% engagement and production quality. I could meet you at $X [20% below your ask] for this scope."
If they won't budge:
"I understand budget constraints. Let's reduce to 2 videos at $Y instead of 3 at $Z."
When to Walk Away
- Offer <50% of calculator estimate (unless you love brand)
- Unlimited usage rights without 3-4x premium
- Exclusivity without 2x rate increase
- Product-only when you're past 25K followers
- Red flags: no contract, vague payment terms, "exposure" talk
Section 6: Rate Packages & Bundling
Create tiered packages to increase deal size and give brands options.
Bronze Package
$2,000
- ✓ 1 in-feed TikTok video
- ✓ 1 Instagram Story mention
- ✓ 1 round of revisions
- ✓ 30-day usage rights
- ✓ Campaign performance report
Best for: First-time collaborations, testing fit
MOST POPULAR
Silver Package
$4,500 (Save $500 vs individual)
- ✓ 3 in-feed TikTok videos
- ✓ 2 Instagram Stories
- ✓ 1 Instagram Reel
- ✓ 2 rounds of revisions
- ✓ 60-day usage rights
- ✓ Detailed analytics report
Best for: Campaign launches, established partnerships
Gold Package
$9,000 (Save $1,500 vs individual)
- ✓ 6 in-feed TikTok videos
- ✓ 4 Instagram Stories
- ✓ 2 Instagram Reels
- ✓ 1 YouTube mention/integration
- ✓ Unlimited revisions
- ✓ 90-day usage rights
- ✓ Dedicated campaign strategysession
- ✓ Monthly performance reports
Best for: Long-term partnerships, product launches
Section 7: Contract Essentials
Never start work without a signed contract. Here's what must be included:
Must-Have Clauses
- ✓ Payment amount: Exact dollar amount and currency
- ✓ Payment schedule: 50% upfront, 50% on delivery OR Net 30/60
- ✓ Deliverables: Exactly what you're creating (1 TikTok, 60 seconds max, etc.)
- ✓ Timeline: Draft due date, final due date, posting date
- ✓ Usage rights: Duration (30/60/90 days vs perpetual), platforms, purposes
- ✓ Revisions: Number allowed (1-2 rounds), what counts as revision
- ✓ Approval process: Who approves, how long they have, what happens if delayed
- ✓ FTC compliance: Who's responsible for disclosure, approved language
- ✓ Kill fee: What you get paid if they cancel mid-project (50-100%)
- ✓ Content ownership: You own content, brand has licensed rights only
Red Flag Terms
- "Payment upon satisfactory performance" (undefined, risky)
- "Unlimited revisions" (scope creep nightmare)
- "Perpetual, worldwide, exclusive rights" without 5x premium
- "Brand can use content for any purpose" (too broad)
- Non-compete lasting 12+ months (limits future deals)
- "Payment Net 90" or longer (cash flow killer)
- Penalty clauses for underperformance (you can't control algorithm)
- No kill fee if they cancel
- "Work for hire" giving them all rights (negotiate this out)
- Vague deliverable descriptions open to interpretation
Section 8: Scaling Your Rates Over Time
When to Raise Prices
Follower Milestones
- Every 25K-50K followers: Increase 20-30%
- Hitting 100K: Often doubles rates from 50K
- Hitting 500K: Another 1.5-2x increase
- Hitting 1M: 2-3x increase from 500K
Performance Triggers
- Engagement rate increases 2%+ (raise 30-50%)
- Booking every inquiry within 48hrs (too low)
- Case studies proving ROI (raise 20-40%)
- Demand exceeds capacity (raise until it slows)
Grandfathering Existing Clients
When raising rates, honor existing clients' old rates for a transition period (3-6 months), then raise to new rates. This maintains relationships while increasing income from new clients.
Example: "My new rate is $5,000, but since we've worked together before, I'll honor $4,000 for this campaign. Future campaigns will be at the new rate."
Premium Positioning Strategy
- Specialist premium: Position as THE expert in your niche, charge 2-3x generalists
- Results-based premium: Showcase proven ROI, charge more for guaranteed delivery
- Scarcity premium: Limited availability (max 2 deals/month) justifies higher rates
- Quality premium: Invest in better production, charge for elevated output
Calculate Your Brand Deal Rate Now
Use our Brand Deal Rate Calculator to get your data-backed pricing in seconds. Never undercharge again.
Related Guides
- How to Price Brand Deals Step-by-step pricing strategy for partnerships
- How to Negotiate Brand Deals Negotiate higher rates and better terms
- How Much to Charge for Sponsorships Determine fair rates for different content types
- Complete Brand Deal Guide Comprehensive brand partnership resource
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge for a TikTok sponsored post?
Industry standard: $0.03-$0.08 per follower as base rate, adjusted for engagement. Nano (1K-10K): $50-$300. Micro (10K-100K): $300-$1,500. Mid (100K-500K): $1,500-$10,000. Macro (500K-1M): $10,000-$25,000. Mega (1M+): $25,000-$100,000+. Use our Brand Deal Rate Calculator for personalized pricing based on your metrics.
How do I calculate my influencer rate?
Formula: Base Rate = Followers × $0.03-$0.08, then multiply by engagement factor (Your Engagement / Industry Average). Example: 50K followers × $0.04 = $2,000 base. With 8% engagement vs 5% average: $2,000 × 1.6 = $3,200 final rate. Factor in niche premium (finance/tech 2-3x, entertainment 1x) and deliverables (Spark Ads +50-100%).
Should I charge per post or per campaign?
Both. Offer single post pricing and package deals. Packages increase average deal size - 3-post bundle at 2.5x (vs 3x) encourages larger commitments. Example: Single post $2,000, 3-post package $5,000 (saves brand $1,000, you get more guaranteed revenue). Long-term partnerships (3-6 months) should be 8-12x single post rate.
What if a brand says my rate is too high?
Justify with data: "Based on my 8% engagement and Brand Deal Rate Calculator, market rate is $X-$Y for my tier." If they won't budge, negotiate deliverables (reduce posts or remove Spark Ads rights) rather than dropping price. Walk away if offer is less than 50% of calculator estimate - underpricing hurts the entire creator economy.
How much extra should I charge for usage rights?
Spark Ads rights (30 days): +50-100%. Spark Ads (unlimited): +200-300%. Exclusivity clause: +100-150%. Multi-platform rights: +50% per additional platform. Perpetual usage: 3-4x base rate. Always negotiate usage rights separately from creation fee - they're licensing your content, which has separate value.
When should I raise my rates?
Raise rates every 25K-50K followers (20-30% increase), when engagement rate improves significantly (+2% = 30-50% raise), if booking every inquiry within 48 hours (demand exceeds supply), or when you have case studies proving ROI. Test new rates on new clients first, grandfather existing clients for 3-6 months before applying new rates.
Can I charge more in premium niches like finance or tech?
Yes. Finance/tech/B2B creators charge 2-3x entertainment creators at same follower count. Example: 100K beauty creator charges $3,000, 100K finance creator charges $7,000. Why? Higher-value audience, larger brand budgets, longer sales cycles, premium positioning. Always factor niche premium into calculations.
Should I work for free to build my portfolio?
Only if you have fewer than 1,000 followers and desperate for case studies. Once you hit 5K+ followers, always charge cash (minimum $50-100). Product-only deals are acceptable for 1K-5K creators from brands you genuinely want to promote. Never work for "exposure" - exposure doesn't pay rent. Charge your worth.
How do I handle brands asking for my rate sheet?
Send tiered packages (Bronze/Silver/Gold) showing deliverables and prices. Include engagement metrics to justify pricing. Don't send rock-bottom minimums - start 20-30% above target to leave negotiation room. Add "Custom campaigns available - let's discuss your goals" for larger opportunities. Update rate sheet every 3-6 months as you grow.
What percentage of my rate should I pay to management/agents?
Standard is 15-20% of gross deal value. Some managers charge 20-25%. Only work with managers who increase your deal flow and rates by more than their fee. A good manager at 20% who gets you $10,000 deals beats no manager getting you $5,000 deals. Negotiate commission percentage when you're at 500K+ followers.