Last updated: October 2026. Rates are industry estimates — your niche, audience and results matter more than any table.
“How much should I charge?” is the question every creator asks after their first brand email. Charge too little and you leave money on the table (and train brands to underpay you). Charge too much without proof and the deal disappears. Here’s how to price with confidence.
Typical sponsored post rates in 2026
These ranges are compiled from public influencer-pricing reports for 2026. Treat them as a starting point, not a rule.
| Tier | Followers | Instagram (per Reel/post) | TikTok (per video) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nano | 1K – 10K | ~$100 – $500 | ~$200 – $1,000 |
| Micro | 10K – 100K | ~$500 – $5,000 | ~$1,000 – $10,000 |
| Mid-tier | 100K – 1M | ~$5,000 – $25,000 | ~$10,000 – $50,000 |
YouTube integrations usually cost more because videos keep getting views for months and are harder to produce. A dedicated YouTube video often costs several times a short-form post at the same follower count.
A simple pricing formula
Follower count alone is a weak signal. Brands increasingly price on average views. A practical formula:
Base rate = (your average views ÷ 1,000) × CPM
- For short-form (TikTok, Reels, Shorts), many creators use a CPM of roughly $10–$50 per 1,000 average views.
- Use the higher end if your niche is valuable to advertisers (finance, software, beauty, tech, B2B) or your audience is mainly in the US, UK, Canada or Australia.
- Use the lower end for broad entertainment niches.
Example: your last 10 videos average 20,000 views. At a $25 CPM: 20 × $25 = $500 base rate for one video.
Use your median views from recent videos, not your one viral hit — brands will check.
Charge extra for these
| Add-on | What it means | Common approach |
|---|---|---|
| Paid ad usage / whitelisting | The brand runs your video as an ad, or from your account | +30–100% per month of usage |
| Exclusivity | You can’t work with competitors for a set time | +20–50% depending on length |
| Rush delivery | Turnaround in a few days | +25–50% |
| Extra revisions | Beyond 1–2 included rounds | Fixed fee per round |
| Raw footage | Brand receives unedited clips | Fixed fee |
| Cross-posting | Same video on several platforms | Discounted package price |
Packages sell better than single posts
Brands like predictable results. Offer 2–3 clear packages, for example:
- Starter: 1 TikTok or Reel, 1 revision
- Growth: 3 videos over a month + Stories mention
- Ads: 3 videos + 3 months of paid usage rights + raw footage
Put your packages in your media kit so brands can say yes quickly.
How to raise your rates
- Track results from every campaign: views, saves, link clicks, discount-code uses. Send the brand a short report afterwards.
- Raise rates every 3–6 months or whenever your average views grow meaningfully.
- Improve retention. Videos that hold attention deliver more value. A strong opening — a bold claim or fast visual, like a clip from our hook library — keeps more viewers watching to the product moment.
- Specialise. Niche experts charge more than general lifestyle creators.
UGC rates (content without posting)
If a brand only wants the video to use in their own ads — not posted on your account — that’s UGC. Pricing depends on your production quality and the usage rights rather than your followers. Many creators charge a flat fee per video plus a usage fee for paid ads.
Negotiation tips
- Ask for their budget first: “Do you have a budget range in mind for this campaign?”
- Don’t drop your price — reduce the scope. Fewer videos or shorter usage instead of a discount.
- Get a deposit (often 50%) for new brands.
- Always put it in writing: deliverables, deadlines, usage, exclusivity and payment terms.
FAQ
How much should I charge with 5,000 followers?
Many nano creators charge roughly $100–$500 per short-form video, depending on views, engagement and niche. Use the CPM formula with your median views to sanity-check.
Is $10 per 1,000 followers still the rule?
It’s an old rule of thumb. Pricing by average views and adding fees for usage rights gives a more accurate number.
What if a brand only offers free product?
Decide whether the product alone is worth your time. For custom content, especially with ad usage, ask for payment.
Bottom line: price on views, charge separately for usage and exclusivity, sell packages, and raise your rates as your results grow. For finding those deals, read how to get brand deals as a small creator.
