How to Price Your Brand Deals
Complete pricing guide with 5 models, rate calculations, and negotiation framework
Industry Rate Standards by Follower Tier
These are baseline rates for standard in-feed posts. Adjust based on engagement, niche, and deliverables.
| Follower Count | Base Rate Range | High Engagement | Premium Niche |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1K-10K (Nano) | $50-200 | $200-400 | $300-500 |
| 10K-50K (Micro) | $200-800 | $800-1,500 | $1,200-2,500 |
| 50K-100K (Mid-tier) | $800-2,500 | $2,500-5,000 | $4,000-8,000 |
| 100K-500K (Macro) | $2,500-10,000 | $10,000-20,000 | $15,000-35,000 |
| 500K+ (Mega) | $10,000-50,000+ | $50,000-150,000+ | $100,000-500,000+ |
Calculate Your Fair Rate
Use these calculators to determine your pricing based on performance metrics.
5 Pricing Models
1. Follower-Based Pricing ($0.01-$0.10 per follower)
Simplest model: multiply followers by a rate per follower. Best for starting creators establishing baseline rates.
Rate Per Follower by Category:
- • $0.01-$0.03: Entertainment, general lifestyle (oversaturated)
- • $0.03-$0.05: Beauty, fashion, fitness (moderate competition)
- • $0.05-$0.08: Food, travel, parenting (valuable demographics)
- • $0.08-$0.10+: Finance, tech, business, education (premium niches)
Example:
50,000 followers × $0.05 (fitness niche) = $2,500 base rate per post
2. Engagement-Based Pricing (Weighted by Engagement Rate)
More sophisticated model that accounts for audience quality. Higher engagement = higher rates.
Formula:
Base Rate = (Followers × $0.05) × (Engagement % ÷ 5)Example:
50,000 followers with 10% engagement rate:
(50,000 × $0.05) × (10 ÷ 5) = $2,500 × 2 = $5,000 per post
Engagement Multipliers: 3% = 0.6x, 5% = 1.0x, 8% = 1.6x, 10% = 2.0x, 12%+ = 2.4x
3. Flat Rate Packages (Bronze/Silver/Gold)
Tiered packages that bundle deliverables at different price points. Encourages brands to buy premium packages.
🥉 Bronze Package
- • 1 in-feed post
- • 30-day usage rights
- • 1 revision
Base Rate
🥈 Silver Package (Most Popular)
- • 2 in-feed posts
- • 3 stories
- • 90-day usage rights
- • 2 revisions
Base Rate × 2.5
🥇 Gold Package
- • 3 in-feed posts
- • 5 stories
- • 1 LIVE mention
- • 1-year usage rights
- • Unlimited revisions
Base Rate × 4
4. Performance-Based Pricing (CPA, Affiliate)
Payment based on results: clicks, conversions, or sales. Lower risk for brands, higher upside for creators.
Performance Model Options:
- • CPC (Cost Per Click): $0.50-$2.00 per click to brand's site
- • CPA (Cost Per Acquisition): $10-$100+ per sale/sign-up
- • Revenue Share: 10-30% of sales from your audience
- • Affiliate Commission: Ongoing % of referred customer sales
When to Use:
Best for proven products you believe in. Requires tracking setup. Can earn 2-5x flat rates for high-converting content. Risk: no guarantee of minimum payment.
5. Hybrid Models (Base + Performance Bonus)
Guaranteed base rate plus performance bonuses. Best of both worlds: security + upside potential.
Hybrid Structure Example:
- • Base Rate: $2,000 guaranteed (60-70% of full flat rate)
- • View Bonus: $500 for every 100K views over 500K
- • Conversion Bonus: $20 per sale above 50 sales
- • Engagement Bonus: $300 if engagement rate exceeds 8%
Negotiation Strategy:
When brand offers below your rate, counter with hybrid: "I can do a $2K base + performance bonuses that could bring total to $4-5K if content performs well."
10 Factors That Increase Your Rate (Premium Pricing Justified)
1. High Engagement Rate (8%+)
Add 50-100% premium over base rate
2. Premium Demographics (US/UK, 25-45 age)
Add 30-60% for high-income audiences
3. Niche Authority/Expertise
Add 40-80% for established expert status
4. Professional Production Quality
Add 20-40% for premium content
5. Past Campaign Success
Proven ROI justifies 50-100% premium
6. Exclusivity Requirements
30 days = +50%, 90 days = +100%
7. Extended Usage Rights
1 year = +50%, perpetual = +150%
8. Paid Amplification Rights
Brand running ads with your content: +75-150%
9. Rush/Priority Timing
Under 1 week turnaround: +30-50%
10. Multi-Platform Integration
TikTok + IG + YouTube: 2.5-3x single platform rate
Rate Calculation Worksheet
Step 1: Calculate Base Rate
Base Rate = Followers × Rate Per Follower (based on niche)Step 2: Apply Engagement Multiplier
Adjusted Rate = Base Rate × (Engagement % ÷ 5)Step 3: Add Premium Factors
Final Rate = Adjusted Rate × (1 + Sum of Premium %)Complete Example:
- • 80,000 followers in finance niche
- • $0.08 per follower = $6,400 base rate
- • 9% engagement rate: 9 ÷ 5 = 1.8x multiplier
- • $6,400 × 1.8 = $11,520
- • Premium factors: +50% (high engagement), +40% (niche authority), +50% (30-day exclusivity)
- • $11,520 × (1 + 1.40) = $27,648 final rate
Deliverable Pricing (By Content Type)
| Deliverable Type | Relative Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard In-Feed Post | 1.0x (Base Rate) | 60-90 seconds, integrated product mention |
| Dedicated Product Video | 1.5-2.0x | Entire video focused on product |
| LIVE Mention/Demo | 0.5x per mention | During existing LIVE stream (5-10 min) |
| Dedicated LIVE Session | 2.0-3.0x | 30-60 min dedicated LIVE with product |
| Spark Ads Permission | +0.75-1.5x | Brand can boost your post as ad |
| TikTok Shop Showcase | 0.5x | Adding product to your Shop showcase |
| Brand Takeover (Profile) | 3.0-5.0x | Brand controls your profile for 24 hours |
Package Bundling Strategies
Encourage larger deals by bundling deliverables at discounted rates. Brands perceive better value, you secure bigger contracts.
Bundle Strategy 1: Volume Discount
- • 1 post = $2,000 (full rate)
- • 3 posts = $5,400 (10% discount, $1,800 each)
- • 5 posts = $8,500 (15% discount, $1,700 each)
Bundle Strategy 2: Multi-Platform Package
TikTok + Instagram package = 2.5x single platform rate (instead of 3x for separate deals)
Bundle Strategy 3: Long-Term Partnership
3-month ambassador deal (12 posts total) = 20% discount on per-post rate for commitment and volume
When to Say No to Low Offers
❌ Offer below 50% of market rate
Unless it's a dream brand or provides massive exposure, don't undersell. You set the market rate for your tier.
❌ "Exposure" or "gifted product" only
Your audience is your business asset. Brands with budgets pay cash. Gifted products are supplements, not payment.
❌ Unlimited revisions or perpetual rights without premium
Set revision limits (2-3 max) and charge 150%+ for perpetual usage rights.
❌ Brand doesn't align with values/audience
Audience trust is worth more than any single deal. One bad partnership can damage long-term earning potential.
Contract Negotiation Framework
Phase 1: Initial Pitch Response
- Thank them for interest and opportunity
- Ask about campaign goals, timeline, and deliverables
- Request their budget range (let them anchor first if possible)
- Share your rate card and portfolio
Phase 2: Rate Presentation
- Present rate 20-30% above your minimum acceptable
- Justify with metrics: engagement, demographics, past performance
- Offer tiered packages (bronze/silver/gold)
- Emphasize value, not just reach
Phase 3: Handling Objections
- "Budget is limited" → Offer smaller package or hybrid model
- "Other creators charge less" → Differentiate with quality/results
- "Can you do it for exposure?" → "My rate accounts for the exposure value"
- Always be willing to walk away
Phase 4: Closing the Deal
- Negotiate payment terms (50% upfront for deals over $1K)
- Clarify deliverables, timelines, revision policy
- Define usage rights and exclusivity clearly
- Get everything in writing before starting work