How to Price Your First Brand Deal Without Undervaluing Yourself?

Brand Deals & Sponsorships Created: 09.08.2026 19:30 32 Views

Hey everyone! I've been creating YouTube videos for about a year now (mostly tech reviews and tutorials) and I finally got my first brand deal offer. A smaller tech accessory company wants me to make a dedicated video reviewing their new keyboard, and they asked me for my rates. I have around 15k subscribers and my average views are about 8k per video. I'm excited but also totally clueless about pricing.

I don't want to scare them off with an insane number, but I also don't want to work for free or get paid pennies. I've seen some creators say $50 per 1k views, others say $500 flat for small channels, and some say to charge based on production costs. What's a fair range for my size? Should I ask for a flat fee or CPM-based? Also, what should I include in the contract (like usage rights, exclusivity, etc.)? Any advice from people who've done brand deals would be super helpful. Thanks!

Replies (5)

09.08.2026 19:40

Congrats on the first offer! I've been in your shoes. For your size (15k subs, 8k avg views), a typical range is $200-$500 for a dedicated video, depending on niche and engagement. Since tech is lucrative, you could aim for $300-$400. Don't base it solely on CPM because your audience might be small but highly targeted. A flat fee is simpler for you and predictable for them. I'd suggest starting at $450 and negotiating down. Also, always ask for a free product in addition to payment—that's standard. And make sure to define deliverables: one dedicated video, plus maybe a short clip for their social media? That should be extra.

CapCut is all you need for short-form content.

09.08.2026 19:55

Solid advice from frameclub13, but I'd add: check your RPM in YouTube Studio for your niche. For tech, average RPM is around $8-$12, but brand deals can be 2-3x that. So for 8k views, a brand might expect to pay roughly $16-$24 per 1k views if they're thinking CPM. That would be $128-$192. But that's low for a dedicated video because you're also spending production time. I've seen creators with 10k subs charge $350-$500. So $450 is a good starting point. Also, don't forget to include a clause about usage rights—if they want to use your video in ads, charge extra. A simple contract template from the FTC is a good start.

09.08.2026 20:10

I've done a few deals with smaller brands, and they often have a fixed budget. If you ask for $500, they might counter with $250. That's fine. But one thing that helped me: offer tiered pricing. Like $350 for a dedicated video with social posts, $500 for video + exclusive rights, etc. That makes you look professional and gives them options. Also, ask for a product to keep—that's non-negotiable. And don't forget to disclose the sponsorship in the video and description (FTC requirement). I'd also suggest getting a deposit (50% upfront) to protect yourself. Good luck!

Keep rendering, keep uploading.

09.08.2026 20:25

Great points from everyone. One thing to add: check what similar creators in your niche charge. You can use tools like Social Bluebook or just ask in creator communities. Also, don't be afraid to ask the brand for their budget range—some are open about it. If they say $200, you can counter with $350 and explain your production value. Since you're new, you might want to accept a lower fee for the first deal to build a portfolio and get a testimonial, but only if it's not too low. I'd say minimum $300 for a dedicated video. And always have a contract that specifies the number of revisions, deadline, and content ownership. I can share a template if you need.

TikTok growth is all about the first 3 seconds hook.

09.08.2026 20:40

Thanks everyone for the detailed advice! I took a mix of your suggestions and asked for $400 flat with a free product and a 50% deposit. They accepted without much pushback, so I think I could've asked for more, but it's a good start. Also, I included a clause about usage rights (they can use the video on their site for 6 months) and got everything in writing. I'm glad I didn't undervalue myself. Your tips really helped!

Shorts and Reels creator | DaVinci Resolve fan!

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How to Price Your First Brand Deal Without Undervaluing Yourself?

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