For creators

How much to charge as a creator: how to set your rates

By the CLIQ Influence team4 min read

In brief

There is no single rate for all creators. Your price depends on the work the content involves, the real reach of your posts, the usage rights you grant and the exclusivity you offer. Calculate a base price, add those factors and negotiate with judgment.

It's the most common question for someone who already knows how to become an influencer and gets their first brand proposal: how much do I ask for? There's no official table, but there is an orderly way to arrive at a number you can defend. We don't give specific figures here because they vary by country, niche and moment; what we do give you is the method.

What factors affect your rate

  • Production work: script, filming, editing, locations, materials.
  • Real reach of your content: the views your recent posts usually get weigh more than your total follower count.
  • Engagement and audience quality: an active community that fits the brand is worth more.
  • Niche and country: some niches have more brand demand, and markets differ.
  • Usage rights: whether the brand will use the content on its channels or in paid ads.
  • Exclusivity: whether you stop working with competitors for a while.
  • Urgency and volume: tight deadlines or many pieces should be reflected in the price.

A simple method to calculate your price

  1. Calculate your base cost: hours of work times your hourly value, plus production expenses.
  2. Compare it with your reach: does your price make sense against the views and engagement you usually generate?
  3. Add usage rights: if the brand wants to use the video in ads, charge for that use on top of the post.
  4. Add exclusivity: the longer and broader it is, the bigger the adjustment should be.
  5. Define a range: a minimum below which you won't accept and a target price.

How to negotiate without giving your work away

  • Answer with a clear package (what it includes and what it doesn't) instead of a loose number.
  • If the budget is lower, adjust the scope: fewer deliverables, fewer rights or less exclusivity, not just the price.
  • Distinguish paid collaborations from product swaps. Swaps can help at the start, but define what you expect.
  • Ask for the agreement in writing before you start producing.

Example calculation (no reference figures)

Suppose a video takes you 8 hours between script, filming and editing. Your rate would be built like this:

  1. Base cost = (8 hours × your hourly value) + production expenses.
  2. Reach adjustment: compare that value with the views your content usually gets; if it ends up far above or below what the brand would get, review the package.
  3. + Usage rights if the brand will use it in ads or on its website.
  4. + Exclusivity if it stops you from working with competitors.
  5. = Proposed rate. Also keep a minimum below which you won't accept.
Specific values depend on your country, your niche and your audience. Don't copy other creators' rates without adapting them to your case.

How to present your packages

  • Base package: one piece on your main platform.
  • Extended package: several pieces or formats, with additional stories or posts.
  • Package with rights: includes the brand's use of the content in paid ads for a defined period.

When to review your rates

Review them from time to time or when your reach, engagement or experience improve in a sustained way. If you get many immediate "yeses" to your price, you may be charging too little.

Common mistakes when starting

  • Charging only by follower count.
  • Granting broad usage rights without charging for them.
  • Accepting exclusivity without compensation.
  • Not including a payment clause with clear dates.

To complement this, read how to work with brands as a creator and, if you're looking for opportunities, apply to the CLIQ roster.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I charge for a sponsored video?

It depends on production, your reach and usage rights. Use the method in this article to arrive at a base price and adjust it by country and niche.

Do I charge more if the brand will use the video in ads?

Yes. If the brand promotes it with paid ads, it is getting an additional use of the content, which is usually compensated separately from the post.

Is it better to charge per video or per campaign?

Both models exist. A campaign package simplifies the relationship; a per-piece rate lets you adjust according to deliverables. What matters is that the scope is clear.

Should I publish my rates?

It isn't required. Many creators include them in the media kit as "starting at" or send them by proposal, so they can adjust to the work.

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