How to Negotiate Better Brand Deals

Most creators leave money on the table because they don't know how to negotiate. Here's how to change that.

Know your worth before you reply

Calculate your CPM (cost per thousand views) based on your last 10 videos. Industry standard for sponsored content ranges from $20-$100 CPM depending on niche and engagement.

Never give your rate first

When a brand reaches out, ask: "What's your budget for this campaign?" You'd be surprised how often their number is higher than what you would have asked for.

Always counter

Whatever they offer, counter at 20-30% higher. Brands expect negotiation. If they say yes immediately, you left money on the table.

Package, don't price per post

Instead of "$500 per Instagram post," offer "$1,500 for an awareness package: 1 Instagram Reel + 3 stories + 1 TikTok." Packages justify higher prices and make comparison harder.

Get it in writing

Always have a contract. It protects you if a brand ghosts after you've done the work. Tools like HoneyBook make this easy.

Follow up

If you don't hear back within 5 business days, follow up once. Deals don't die—they just stall. A simple "Just checking in!" email has closed many deals.