The Ultimate Guide to Creator Pricing (2026)
Table of Contents
1. The Pricing Formula: It's All About CPM
New creators often price themselves based on "hours worked." This is a mistake. Brands pay agencies based on CPM (Cost Per Mille)—the price to reach 1,000 potential customers.
Our calculator uses a reverse-engineered formula:
(Followers × Active Rate) / 1000 × Niche CPM = Base Rate.
- Instagram Reels CPM: Typically $15 - $25.
- TikTok CPM: High variance, typically $10 - $20 due to volatility.
- YouTube Integration CPM: The premium tier, often $25 - $50.
2. Stop Giving Away Usage Rights (Spark Ads)
The "Base Rate" covers the creation of the content and posting it to your feed. However, if a brand wants to "Whitelist" your post (run paid ads behind it using your handle), they must pay for that privilege.
Pro Tip: Never include Paid Media Rights (Whitelisting) in your base fee. Always charge a 30% - 50% premium for 30 days of usage.
3. Why Your Niche Matters
Not all eyeballs are equal. A brand selling a $5 iPhone case has a lower budget than a brand selling a $500 Credit Card or SaaS subscription.
- Finance/Business: Highest CPMs ($30+). Advertisers pay a fortune for these leads.
- Tech/Software: High CPMs.
- Gaming/Entertainment: Lower CPMs, but higher potential for virality.
4. The Exclusivity Fee
If a brand asks you: "Can you agree not to work with other skincare brands for 3 months?" — that is Exclusivity.
This prevents you from earning money from competitors. Therefore, you must charge a "Lost Opportunity Fee." A standard exclusivity fee is 1.5x to 2x your base rate per month of exclusivity.