Setting Fair Rates for Brand Deals

Rates should cover more than views

Yes, brand deals can be a solid source of money, but a flat 'per thousand views' rate leaves out hidden work. You spend time writing a script, filming, editing, and answering messages for each sponsorship. Factor all of those hours into your base price before you quote.

Find a floor for your channel

Start from your minimum per hour for content work, then add a trust fee for your audience. If a task takes five hours and your floor is twenty dollars an hour, start at one hundred dollars for that deliverable. Raise it if the sponsor wants reuse rights or exclusivity that blocks other money.

Account for engagement

A small, active audience can beat a large, passive one for some brands. If viewers comment, save, or click your links, show those numbers. High save rates for how-to content often convert better than raw views, so use them to justify a higher rate.

The value of a click from a loyal viewer is often far higher than a view from a random one.

Leave room to negotiate

Give a range instead of a single number when you can. State your base, then list add-ons with prices. This keeps talks moving and stops you from cutting your rate to fill a gap.

Key takeaways

• Price by hours plus a fee for trust, not views alone.
• Use engagement stats to argue for higher rates.
• Charge for extras like reuse, exclusivity, or rush edits.
• Keep a written rate sheet to speed up replies.
• Never trade long-term rights for short-term money.