Key takeaways
- A common baseline is ~$10 per 1,000 followers for one sponsored post.
- Multiply by an engagement factor — high engagement justifies a premium, low engagement a discount.
- Quote a low–high range, not a single number, so you have room to negotiate.
- Charge more for video, exclusivity, usage rights, and fast turnaround.
The CPM method, in one formula
Most creator rates trace back to a cost-per-thousand-followers idea, nudged by how engaged that audience is. The working formula:
The engagement factor is the key. Brands pay for attention, not raw follower counts — so the more your audience reacts, the more each follower is worth. Don't know your number? The engagement rate calculator works it out from your likes, comments, and follower count.
A worked example
Take a creator with 50,000 followers and an engagement rate of 4.5% (above the 3% benchmark).
So a fair quote here is a range around $600–$900, anchored at $750. If the brand wants exclusivity or a video integration, push toward and past the top of that range. To generate a defensible low–high range from your own stats, use the sponsorship rate calculator.
Typical post rates by platform
Platforms price differently because formats and shelf life differ. Rough per-post ranges for a mid-engagement account:
| Followers | Instagram post | TikTok video | YouTube integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10k | $100–$250 | $150–$300 | $300–$600 |
| 50k | $500–$900 | $600–$1,200 | $1,200–$2,500 |
| 250k | $2,000–$4,000 | $2,500–$5,000 | $5,000–$10,000 |
YouTube integrations command the most because the content is searchable and keeps earning views for years. Treat these as estimates — your engagement and niche move them substantially.
What raises (and lowers) the number
Add a premium for: exclusivity (you won't promote competitors), usage rights (the brand reposts your content in their ads), multiple deliverables, and rush timelines. Discount for: long-term partnerships you want to lock in, product-only trades, or building a relationship with a brand you love. Never discount for "exposure" alone — exposure doesn't pay rent.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for a sponsored post?
A common starting point is about $10 per 1,000 followers per post, adjusted for engagement, platform, and format. A creator with 50,000 engaged followers might quote $600–$900. Video and exclusivity command more.
Does engagement rate affect my sponsorship price?
Heavily. Brands pay for attention, not vanity counts. A 30k-follower account at 6% engagement can out-earn a 100k account at 0.8% because it reliably reaches and moves its audience.
Should I quote one price or a range?
Quote a range and anchor to the high end for bigger asks — exclusivity, usage rights, multiple posts, fast turnaround. A range lets you negotiate without underpricing your work.
Recommended tools
Media-kit and outreach tools creators use to land deals. Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Sources: aggregated creator rate-card disclosures and influencer-marketing benchmark reports (publicly reported ranges). Figures are estimates; actual rates vary by niche, engagement, and deliverables.
Reviewed 2026-06-14