Having the power to set your fee has always been something creators love about the TRIBE app.
While you’re in control, it can be hard to know where to start. How much is my content worth? How do I know what a brand is willing to pay? What do other creators charge
Influencer marketing has changed drastically over the years, and for the better.
In the past, creator rates were largely determined by audience size, which can feel limiting because it doesn’t always factor in your experience, skills, creativity, engagement or the time and effort you put into crafting content.
There’s no one-size-fits-all rate for creators, but keep reading for some advice on setting your fee.
So... how should you set your fee?
Setting your fee in line with your follower size is still a great starting point for finding your base rate.
That’s right, you can earn more crafting TikToks and Reels due to higher production costs and time. Short-form video is dominating social media so demand for it is only getting higher. Note: the temporary nature of Instagram Stories attracts a lower rate while multi-media Carousels a higher one.
Remember, ballpark rates are just a starting point. Creator marketing has evolved far beyond follower size being the only metric.
What else impacts how much I should charge?
Quite a lot!
Aside from the above guide, here are a few other things to consider once you’re up and running as a creator.
Engagement: Brands aren’t just paying for your content, they’re accessing your audience too. If your audience is super engaged, that’s valuable to brands, so you should factor that in.
Experience and skill: Just like any other job, the more skill you have - the more you get paid. If you’re an experienced creator with finely honed skills that are reflected in your submission, you should feel confident charging more than someone who’s learning the ropes.
Your own expenses: If you’re pitching an idea to a brand that’s more on the elaborate side - you should factor in any relevant out-of-pocket expenses.
Your time: Videos command a higher price because it’s generally a bigger time investment. The same goes for anything that’s more time-consuming like extensive editing or doing multiple shoots.
Our #1 tip for setting your own fee
Know your worth and make sure the brand knows it too!
It’s up to you to tell the brand exactly why you’re worth your fee, and your pitch is the perfect way to do that. If you’re an experienced creator with unique skills and an engaged audience, let them know those extra reasons to work with you.
Bear in mind, brands can and may negotiate with you. They’re working with multiple creators and have budgets they need to stick to, so don’t be thrown if it feels like they’re lowballing you. Some brands genuinely have less money to spend, so it’s up to you how far you negotiate.
What if brands keep telling me my fee is too high?
If you’re getting this feedback a lot the first thing to do is make sure you’re presenting your value as best you can.
Here are some extra tips:
✅ Fill your portfolio with your best work.
✅ Personalise your pitch - tell brands how you’re uniquely aligned to their campaign.
✅ Had great results with a similar brand/campaign? Tell them about it and highlight why you’re worth every cent of your fee.
✅ Keep up with your organic content. Brands will see less value in appearing in a feed full of too many paid partnerships.
While you’re in control of setting your fee, be aware that you can still price yourself beyond what a brand is willing or able to spend. They may love your work but could be restricted by any number of things.
So, when you’re finding your sweet spot, remember - it’s all about balance.
Happy creating!
