Media Kits for Pitching to Brands: The Complete 2026 Creator Guide
Introduction
You've built an engaged audience, created content you're proud of, and now you're ready to land brand deals—but how do you convince a PR manager you're worth their investment? The answer lies in a professional media kit for pitching to brands: a strategic document that transforms your audience into a valuable asset and opens doors to lucrative partnerships.
A media kit for pitching to brands is a professional one- to three-page document that showcases your audience demographics, engagement metrics, content examples, and pricing to convince brands you're the right partner for their campaigns. Think of it as your resume, portfolio, and rate sheet combined into one persuasive package. In 2026, as brands increasingly prioritize authentic engagement over vanity follower counts, a compelling media kit has become non-negotiable for creators at every level.
The creator economy has evolved dramatically. According to Influencer Marketing Hub's 2025 research, 78% of marketers now prioritize engagement rates and audience authenticity over raw follower numbers—a massive shift from just three years ago. Brands are drowning in collaboration requests from creators with inflated metrics, which means your media kit needs to stand out by telling an honest, compelling story backed by real data.
Whether you're a micro-creator with 5,000 followers or an established influencer with 500,000+, this guide will walk you through creating a media kit that gets results. You'll learn what brands actually look for, how to price your services confidently, platform-specific strategies for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and beyond, and common mistakes that tank partnerships before they start.
What Is a Media Kit? Definition & 2026 Context
The Modern Definition (Far Beyond a PDF)
Historically, a media kit was simply a one-page PDF listing your follower count and engagement rate. Today, it's evolved into a multi-layered pitch tool that combines storytelling, data visualization, and strategic positioning. A modern media kit answers the question every brand is asking: "Why should we partner with this creator over thousands of others?"
Your media kit serves multiple purposes simultaneously. First, it's a pitch document that introduces your audience to unfamiliar brands. Second, it's a credibility builder that demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail (brands often judge creator reliability by media kit quality). Third, it's a conversation starter that gives PR managers everything they need to advocate for you internally—no follow-up questions required.
In 2026, the most effective media kits go beyond static PDFs. Some creators now use interactive Notion pages, video introductions, or even animated one-pagers to stand out from competitors. However, a well-designed PDF remains the industry standard because it's universally accessible and easy to share across teams.
What Brands Actually Look For (Spoiler: Not Follower Count)
If you think brands only care about your follower count, you're leaving money on the table. According to a 2025 Hootsuite survey, 62% of marketers specifically mention that they evaluate audience quality before follower numbers. PR managers have learned the hard way that a creator with 50,000 engaged followers generates far better ROI than one with 500,000 bot followers.
When a brand receives your media kit, they're mentally checking several boxes: Does this creator's audience match our target customer? Can they demonstrate authentic engagement? Have they collaborated with reputable brands before? Do their prices align with industry standards? Most importantly, do their values align with ours?
Brands also look for consistency in your content and reliability in your metrics. They're checking whether your engagement rates are realistic for your follower count, whether your audience demographics match their ideal customer, and whether you seem like someone they can actually work with long-term.
Media Kit vs. Rate Card vs. Contract: Clearing Up Confusion
Many creators mix up these three essential documents. Here's how they work together:
A media kit is your pitch document—the first thing you send to introduce yourself and showcase your value. It's the comprehensive overview that includes your bio, audience data, content examples, and pricing range.
A rate card is the detailed pricing breakdown you include in (or attach to) your media kit. While your media kit might mention "Starting at $2,000 per post," your rate card specifies exact pricing for each content type: $1,500 for an Instagram feed post, $2,500 for a Reel, $3,500 for a TikTok, etc. Think of it as the itemized menu to your media kit's restaurant overview.
A contract is the binding agreement you sign after a brand expresses interest. It outlines deliverables, payment terms, usage rights, and protection clauses. Before signing, review our influencer contract templates guide to protect yourself in partnerships.
Essential Components of a Modern Media Kit
Personal Branding Section: Your Story Matters
The first thing a brand sees isn't your follower count—it's you. Your media kit should open with a compelling bio that answers three questions: Who are you? What do you create? Why should they care?
Your creator bio should be 50–75 words of pure value. Instead of "I'm a fashion influencer with a passion for sustainable style," try: "I help eco-conscious millennials build capsule wardrobes that look expensive on a real budget. My audience saves an average of $3,000 annually while discovering brands aligned with their values." See the difference? One is forgettable; the other makes a PR manager sit up and take notice.
Include a professional headshot—and yes, this matters more than you think. Brands want to see the human behind the account. Your headshot should be well-lit, on-brand in terms of color and style, and actually look like you (not a heavily filtered version from five years ago).
Your origin story or niche positioning should appear here too. Why did you start creating? What unique perspective do you bring? If you're a SaaS content creator, a wellness micro-creator, or a B2B sustainability advocate, this is where you own your niche and explain why it matters. Positioning yourself as a specialist—not a generalist—makes you more valuable to targeted brands.
Audience Demographics & Psychographics: Numbers Tell Stories
Most creators throw demographic data into their media kit and call it a day. That's a mistake. The brands interested in 2026 want to understand who your audience is, not just how many they are.
Demographic data includes the obvious: age range, gender split, top geographic locations, and device preferences. But psychographics—interests, values, purchasing behaviors, lifestyle indicators—tell the real story. Does your audience identify as eco-conscious? Are they interested in personal finance and investing? Do they prioritize fitness and wellness? Are they first-time parents or serial entrepreneurs?
According to Statista's 2025 creator economy report, 71% of brands now say psychographic targeting matters more than age and gender demographics alone. This is your competitive advantage. If you know your audience values sustainability, and a sustainable fashion brand is evaluating your media kit, you can position yourself as the perfect fit.
Present this data visually. Use charts, pie graphs, and infographics instead of text blocks. Your media kit should be scannable in 30 seconds—brands won't read dense paragraphs. Tools like [INTERNAL LINK: media kit design templates] can help you visualize audience data compellingly.
Platform-Specific Performance Metrics: Show Platform Mastery
A creator strong on Instagram but weak on TikTok looks different from a balanced multi-platform creator. Your media kit should showcase the platforms where you actually perform well, not pretend to be equally strong everywhere.
For each platform, include: - Average engagement rate (how to calculate: total engagements ÷ total followers × 100 = %) - Average views per post or video - Peak posting times and audience activity - Month-over-month growth rate (shows momentum) - Audience retention metrics (how long people watch your content)
This is where you get honest about your strengths. If your Instagram Reels get 150,000 views but your feed posts get 8,000, lead with Reels. If your TikTok engagement rate is 6% but Instagram is 2%, emphasize TikTok. Brands appreciate transparency and would rather work with someone who clearly owns one platform than someone who oversells mediocre performance across multiple channels.
Reach and Engagement Breakdown: Beyond Vanity Metrics
Here's a critical shift happening in 2026: brands are finally moving past vanity metrics. Follower count used to be king. Today, it's just one data point among many.
Your media kit should clearly separate:
- Organic engagement (likes, comments, shares from unpaid content)
- Paid promotion performance (if applicable, showing how your content performs when amplified)
- Traffic driven (clicks to websites, app installs, conversions—if you can measure them)
- Audience retention (how many people watch your entire video)
If you can provide attribution data—"Posts featuring Product X received 24% click-through rates and 8% led to purchases"—you've just become infinitely more valuable to outcome-focused brands. This is where advanced creators track UTM parameters and work with brands on actual ROI measurement.
Include industry benchmarks too. For example: "My TikTok engagement rate is 8.2%, compared to the platform average of 2.4%." This context makes your metrics meaningful.
Content Examples & Portfolio: Show, Don't Tell
A media kit without content examples is like a restaurant menu with no pictures—brands can't visualize what they're getting. Include your 3–5 best-performing posts with context.
For each example, explain why it performed well: "This Reel generated 420K views and 12K saves because it tapped into [trending audio/trending topic/pain point]." Help brands understand your strategic thinking, not just your results.
If you've collaborated with previous brands, this is the place to showcase those partnerships—even if you worked with smaller brands. Before-and-after metrics are gold: "After partnering with [Brand], I generated 150K impressions, 8K clicks, and 340 conversions for them." (Obviously, only include this if you got permission and the partnership was successful.)
For video creators, embed or link to actual video examples. Brands need to see your on-camera presence, your editing style, and your personality. If you're a YouTube creator, include your best-performing video with watch time and audience retention metrics. TikTok and YouTube Shorts creators should showcase trending content alongside evergreen examples.
Pricing & Rate Card: The Section That Gets Negotiated Most
This is where many creators falter. They're either afraid to charge fairly or they overprice themselves out of opportunities. In 2026, transparency around pricing has become expected—and valued.
Your rate card should include tiered pricing by content type:
| Content Type | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram Feed Post | $1,500–$2,500 | Single curated post, caption, 1 round of minor edits |
| Instagram Reel | $2,000–$3,500 | Trending audio, native editing, 3–5 sec to 60 sec |
| TikTok Video | $1,800–$3,200 | Authentic style, trending sounds, high-performing format |
| Instagram Stories (5 frames) | $800–$1,200 | 24-hour lifespan, swipe-up links (if applicable) |
| Blog Post | $2,500–$4,000 | 1,000–1,500 words, SEO-optimized, links included |
| Newsletter Feature | $1,500–$2,500 | Email blast to subscribers, subject line integration |
These are 2026 baseline rates—adjust based on your specific audience size, engagement rate, and niche. Micro-creators (under 10K followers) typically charge 30–40% less; macro-creators (100K+) often charge 2–3x more.
Include package deals. "3-Post Bundle: 15% off" incentivizes brands to commit to longer partnerships. Monthly retainers ("$5,000/month for 4 posts + strategy calls") create predictable income and deepen client relationships.
Specify usage rights pricing separately. Is your post organic or paid-promoted? Does the brand get to re-share it on their accounts? Do they get exclusivity (preventing you from promoting competitors)? Each adds value—and cost.
According to the 2025 Creator Economy Report by Influencer Marketing Hub, creators who transparently display pricing in their media kits close deals 23% faster than those who make brands inquire about rates. Transparency builds trust.
Platform-Specific Media Kit Strategies for 2026
Instagram Creator Media Kits: The Engagement-First Approach
Instagram remains the platform where brands feel most comfortable (it's been around longest), but the algorithm has shifted dramatically. Reels dominate. Stories provide direct engagement. The feed feels increasingly antiquated.
Your Instagram media kit should front-load Reels performance. Include your top 3 Reels with view counts, engagement rates, and save rates (saves are the most valuable engagement metric—they signal users found the content valuable enough to revisit).
Highlight your Stories metrics if you have substantial daily viewers. Story engagement (replies, link clicks, swipe-ups) tells brands about your community's investment level. If your Stories consistently get 15% of your follower count viewing them, mention it.
Include a section on DM inquiries and partnership requests. If brands are already sliding into your DMs asking to collaborate, that's social proof. "Receive 8–12 brand collaboration inquiries per month" signals desirability.
Breakout your engagement by content type: feed posts vs. Reels vs. Stories. This honesty helps brands choose the right content format for their campaign. If feed posts aren't performing but Reels are crushing it, both you and the brand are better served acknowledging that reality upfront.
TikTok Creator Media Kits: Viral Potential & Algorithm Mastery
TikTok represents the frontier of creator marketing. Brands are obsessed with TikTok's algorithm because it's genuinely democratic—a creator with 100K followers can outperform a macro-influencer if the content is strong. Your media kit needs to prove you understand the platform.
Focus on viral metrics: average views per video, best-performing video stats, trending audio utilization rate. If you consistently hit 1M+ views, lead with that. If your typical video gets 200K–500K views, that's impressive too—know your lane.
Include comment sentiment analysis if possible. "92% of comments are positive/engaged" shows a healthy community. This matters because TikTok's algorithm heavily weights comment quality. Toxic comments tank reach; genuine, substantive comments boost it.
Emphasize audience demographics aligned with Gen Z and younger millennials. This is TikTok's native audience, and brands targeting younger consumers care deeply about TikTok access. If 78% of your audience is 18–34, that's a feature, not a bug.
Show niche specificity. TikTok creators often own very specific niches: "Budget DIY home organization for renters" or "Science facts for curious kids" or "Sustainable fashion for Gen Z." Position yourself as the expert in your niche, not a generalist.
YouTube Creator Media Kits: Long-Form Authority & Monetization
YouTube remains the second-largest search engine after Google, and it's where creators build authority—not just reach. Your YouTube media kit should emphasize watch time, subscriber quality, and audience loyalty.
Include average view duration and audience retention graphs. If viewers stick with your 12-minute videos for an average of 7 minutes, that's excellent. Brands pay premium rates for creators who can hold attention.
Mention click-through rates on cards and end screens. If you're directing viewers to external links (brand sites, product pages), brands need proof people actually click. "Average click-through rate of 4.2% on YouTube cards" is a concrete value proposition.
If you have a community tab (available to YouTube channels with 500K+ subscribers), highlight community engagement metrics. Community posts often see responses rates of 5–15%, signaling a genuinely engaged audience willing to interact beyond video consumption.
For YouTube Shorts, include separate metrics. Shorts are YouTube's TikTok competitor, and they're growing rapidly. Some brands specifically want Shorts placement because the format drives higher viral potential. Show both long-form (traditional videos) and Shorts performance separately so brands can choose their ideal content type.
Email Newsletter & Blog Creator Media Kits: The Underrated Goldmine
Email marketing has quietly become one of the highest-ROI channels for brands. If you have an email list or blog audience, your media kit is underutilizing yourself if you don't emphasize this.
Include open rates (average and best-performing), click-through rates, and subscriber growth rate. Email industry benchmarks vary widely, but anything above 20% open rates is strong; above 3% CTR is excellent.
Subscriber demographics are crucial here. Email audiences often skew older, more affluent, and more likely to purchase than social audiences. If your newsletter reaches 50,000 affluent women aged 35–55 interested in luxury wellness, a high-end brand will pay premium rates for that specificity.
Sponsorship placement options should be explicit. Top of email? Mid-newsletter? Dedicated section? Pricing should reflect placement value. A featured brand partner section commands higher rates than a casual mention.
Provide case studies or swipe rates if you have them: "Newsletter sponsorship for [Brand] generated 240 clicks and 8 conversions, resulting in $4,200 in revenue." This is the data that makes PR managers approve budgets.
Multi-Platform Creators: Bundle Your Reach
If you're strong across multiple platforms, your media kit becomes increasingly valuable. However, don't just add all your metrics together—be strategic about how you present aggregate reach.
Create a platform performance comparison table showing where you excel. This transparency helps brands choose which platforms make sense for their campaign. If a brand wants massive reach, they'll focus on your strongest platform. If they're testing an unproven demographic, they might choose your second-strongest platform.
Offer multi-platform package deals. "Full Campaign: 1 Instagram Reel + 1 TikTok + 1 YouTube Short + 2 newsletter mentions = $6,500 (20% discount vs. individual rates)." Brands love bundled pricing because it increases their reach while often providing you better total compensation than individual posts.
Highlight cross-promotion potential. If you mention something on TikTok and your followers naturally see it on Instagram too, that's amplified impact. Quantify it if possible: "Average cross-platform reach of 420K users per campaign."
Designing & Formatting Your Media Kit for Maximum Impact
Visual Hierarchy: Make Your Most Important Data Pop
A media kit's visual design conveys professionalism before a single word is read. Brands form opinions about you within seconds. If your media kit looks amateurish, cluttered, or inconsistent, they'll assume your content is too.
Lead with your best metrics. If you get 150,000 average views per TikTok, put that number in a large, bold header near the top. Make it impossible to miss. Brands often skim media kits in real meetings—if they don't see your strongest value prop in the first 15 seconds, you've lost them.
Use whitespace deliberately. A cramped media kit filled edge-to-edge with information feels overwhelming and unprofessional. Give your metrics room to breathe. Whitespace also makes reading easier and signals design confidence.
Stick to a consistent color palette (typically 2–3 brand colors plus neutral) and consistent typography (usually 2 fonts: one for headers, one for body text). Inconsistent design screams amateur and makes brands question your attention to detail.
Visual hierarchy should guide the eye: Most important info (your strongest metrics) should be largest and positioned first. Secondary info (platform-specific details) should be mid-sized and positioned second. Tertiary info (contact details, boilerplate) should be smallest and positioned last.
Data Visualization: Tell Stories with Charts
Text-heavy metrics are forgettable. Visualized data is memorable. According to research from the 3M Corporation, people retain 65% of visual information they see versus just 10% of information they hear. For media kits, this means charts and infographics are non-negotiable.
Show engagement trends over time with a line graph. If your engagement rate has grown from 3% to 5.2% over 12 months, a clear upward trend communicates momentum. Flat or declining trends are harder to sell—only include these if you're adding context (new platform, algorithm change, account rebrand).
Use pie charts for demographic breakdowns. If 58% of your audience is female, 42% male, a simple pie chart communicates this instantly. If your audience is 35% ages 18–24, 42% ages 25–34, 18% ages 35–44, a stacked bar chart works better.
Create comparison visualizations for platform performance. A grouped bar chart comparing your Instagram engagement (4.2%) vs. TikTok (6.8%) vs. YouTube (2.1%) helps brands understand where you're strongest.
Avoid misleading visuals. Don't adjust axis scales to make small growth look massive. Don't use 3D effects or unnecessary decorations. Clarity and honesty are more valuable than flashiness.
Tools for visualization: Canva Pro ($13/month) offers dozens of chart templates; Adobe Creative Cloud provides professional-grade design tools; InfluenceFlow's Media Kit Creator specifically includes visualization templates for creators. Many creators default to Canva because it's beginner-friendly and affordable.
Format Considerations: PDF, Interactive, or Video?
PDF remains the standard. It's universally accessible, prints cleanly, and doesn't require special software. Most agencies still prefer PDFs because they're easy to download, share, and file. Stick with PDF as your primary format.
Interactive formats (Notion, Webflow, custom websites) are trendy among innovative creators but come with drawbacks. They require the recipient to click a link, they may not load properly on all devices, and some agencies ban external links for security reasons. Use interactive formats only if you're explicitly asked for them or if they significantly enhance your story (video portfolio sites, for example).
Video media kits are an emerging trend for video creators. Imagine a 60–90 second video introducing yourself, showing clips of your best work, and displaying your key metrics—then linking to your rate card. This format is eye-catching, memorable, and perfect for TikTok/YouTube creators. However, it's not yet standard, so always include a traditional PDF backup.
Mobile optimization matters. Your PDF should be readable on phone screens since many PR managers review submissions on mobile. Test your final media kit on both desktop and mobile before sending.
Keep file size under 5MB if possible, especially if you're emailing it. Large files can trigger spam filters or fail to deliver. Compress images and avoid embedding high-resolution videos directly in your PDF.
What NOT to Do: Common Media Kit Mistakes
Mistake #1: Fake or Inflated Metrics
This is the cardinal sin, and consequences are severe. Brands have learned to verify metrics using third-party tools like HypeAuditor, SocialBlade, and Creator.co. If your claimed metrics don't match public data, you're immediately flagged as untrustworthy—and that creator is permanently blacklisted.
The distinction is important: growth hacks (aggressive follower-gain strategies, controversial posts that boost engagement temporarily) are risky but not fraudulent. Fake metrics (purchased followers, fake engagement pods, botted likes) are fraud and can result in permanent career damage.
Brands will specifically check whether your engagement is real. Real engagement looks like: genuine comments from real accounts, varied emoji reactions, followers whose profiles look authentic (actual bios, posting history, varied interests). Fake engagement looks like: generic comments like "Great post!" or "Follow back?", repetitive emoji patterns, followers with no profile pictures and minimal activity.
In 2026, as brands become more sophisticated, authenticity verification is critical. If you've been tempted to buy followers or engagement, this is the moment to clean house. Reset your follower count expectations, focus on organic growth for 3–6 months, and rebuild trust. One fraudulent media kit discovery can end your career—it's not worth it.
Mistake #2: Generic, One-Size-Fits-All Media Kits
The same media kit sent to a luxury fashion brand, a B2B SaaS company, and a fast-food chain will fail with at least two of them. Brands can smell a template from miles away.
Your base template can be consistent, but you should customize key sections for each pitch. If you're pitching to a sustainability-focused brand, lead with audience values and eco-conscious purchasing behavior. If you're pitching to a financial services company, emphasize audience income level and financial interests.
Similarly, outdated examples and stale case studies undermine credibility. If your best content example is from 2023, it's time to update. Brands want to see current work because the algorithm, platform features, and audience preferences shift constantly.
Don't include irrelevant content niches in your portfolio section. If you create cooking content but you're pitching to a fitness brand, including your best cooking video is distracting. Show them content most relevant to their industry.
Mistake #3: Overwhelming with Information
Paradoxically, too much information is often worse than too little. Brands receive dozens of media kits weekly. If yours takes more than 2–3 minutes to review, you've lost them.
Ruthlessly edit your media kit to include only what matters to brand partnerships: audience demographics, engagement metrics, content examples, and pricing. Don't include:
- Your entire content portfolio (showcase 3–5 best examples only)
- Personal life details beyond your creator brand (brands don't care where you vacation)
- Excessive metrics (engagement rate + reach is sufficient; don't include 7 different engagement calculations)
- Lengthy written narratives (keep descriptions to 1–2 sentences per section)
The ideal media kit for most creators is 1–2 pages for beginners, 2–3 pages for established creators. Anything beyond 4 pages should be exceptional (comprehensive case studies, extensive portfolio, etc.).
Design clutter is equally damaging. If every section uses different fonts, colors, and layouts, it feels chaotic. Stick to a clean, consistent design system. Whitespace isn't wasted space—it's professional space.
Mistake #4: Missing Contact Info or Call-to-Action
This is shockingly common. A brand loves your media kit and wants to reach out—but your contact information is buried in tiny text at the bottom, or you haven't specified your response time expectations.
Your media kit should include:
- Email address (most professional contact method)
- Response time ("I typically respond within 24 hours")
- Preferred contact method (email vs. DM vs. phone)
- Availability ("Available for partnerships starting March 2026")
- Clear next steps ("Interested? Let's chat about your campaign goals")
Don't make brands hunt for how to contact you. Every section of your media kit should whisper "contact me"; the end should shout it.
Pricing Strategy: Setting Your Rates and Including Rate Cards
How to Calculate Your Creator Rate: The Formula
Pricing yourself properly is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Too low, and you're undervaluing your work (and leaving money on the table). Too high, and you price yourself out of opportunities. The right price lands more deals while earning better income.
Method 1: Cost-Per-Engagement (CPE)
This is the industry standard. Calculate your engagement per post, then multiply by your CPE rate.
Formula: (Total followers × Engagement rate) × CPE = Price
Example: 50,000 followers × 4% engagement rate = 2,000 engagements per post. At $0.50 CPE, that's $1,000 per post.
CPE rates vary widely: $0.25–$0.50 for emerging creators, $0.50–$1.00 for established creators, $1.00+ for premium creators with highly engaged audiences.
Method 2: Follower-Based Pricing with Engagement Multiplier
Some creators charge a base rate per follower, adjusted by engagement rate.
Formula: (Followers ÷ 1,000) × $50–$200 × Engagement multiplier = Price
Example: 100,000 followers ÷ 1,000 = 100. 100 × $100 = $10,000 base rate. With 5% engagement (strong), multiply by 1.2 = $12,000 per post.
This method is simpler if you're not comfortable calculating engagement, though it's less precise.
Method 3: Value-Based Pricing (ROI for Brand)
This is the most sophisticated—and often most profitable—approach. What's the value of the outcome your content generates for the brand?
If your audience typically drives $20,000 in revenue per campaign, you can charge 15–25% of that value—$3,000–$5,000 per post—because you're sharing in the ROI.
This requires tracking conversion data, which most individual creators don't do initially. But as you gain experience, start asking brands for conversion data and build a track record. This positions you as a results-driven partner, not just a content creator.
Industry Benchmarks by Platform (2026 rates):
According to Influencer Marketing Hub's 2025-2026 Pricing Report:
- Micro-influencers (10K–100K followers): $500–$5,000 per Instagram post; $300–$2,000 per TikTok
- Mid-tier influencers (100K–1M followers): $2,500–$15,000 per Instagram post; $1,500–$8,000 per TikTok
- Macro-influencers (1M+ followers): $10,000–$50,000+ per Instagram post; $5,000–$25,000+ per TikTok
- Nano-influencers (<10K followers): $200–$1,500 per post (rarely charge; focus on free product trades initially)
Geographic Pricing Variations:
Pricing varies by region due to brand budgets and creator saturation:
- US/Canada: Highest rates (use benchmarks above)
- UK/Western Europe: 10–20% lower than US
- Australia/NZ: Similar to US
- Asia-Pacific: 30–40% lower than US
- Latin America: 40–50% lower than US
If you have a global audience, charge based on where most of your audience and your target brands are located.
Creating a Tiered Rate Card
A rate card isn't just about price—it's about positioning options. Different content types should have different prices, and you should offer flexibility to appeal to different brand budgets.
Structure your rate card by content type, not just follower count:
| Content Type | Your Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram Feed Post | $1,500 | 1 curated photo, 150-word caption, 1 round of minor edits |
| Instagram Reel | $2,200 | Original or trending audio, 15-60 sec, native editing, high-performance format |
| TikTok Video | $2,000 | Trending sounds, authentic style, native editing, no re-posting restriction |
| YouTube Short | $2,500 | Higher production quality, native platform editing, potential for higher reach |
| Instagram Stories (5 frames) | $900 | 24-hour lifespan, on-brand stickers/text, swipe-up links if applicable |
| Blog Post (1,000–1,500 words) | $3,000 | SEO-optimized, unique angles, internal/external links, embedded visuals |
| Newsletter Feature | $1,800 | Dedicated 150-300 word section, prominent placement, click-tracking |
| Monthly Retainer (4 posts) | $7,200 | 1 Reel + 1 TikTok + 2 feed posts + strategy call |
Notice that video content (Reels, TikToks, Shorts) typically commands 15–30% premium over static feed posts. This is because video requires more production effort, performs better algorithmically, and drives higher engagement.
Offer 10–15% discount for multi-post bundles to incentivize longer campaigns. "Book 3 posts, save 12%" encourages brands to commit to multiple pieces rather than one-off collaborations.
Usage Rights & Exclusivity Premium
One critical pricing mistake: charging the same rate for organic and paid promotions. These should be different.
Organic Post ($1,500): You share the content on your account as you normally would. The brand can't re-post or amplify it without permission.
Paid Promotion (+$800–$1,200): You create the content and use your own paid budget (typically $500–$2,000) to amplify it to a targeted audience. Brands get extended reach. This should cost 50–80% more.
Exclusivity Premium (+$500–$1,500): The brand can prevent you from promoting competitor products for 30–60 days after the post. If you're in a competitive niche (skincare, fashion, fitness), exclusivity costs extra—sometimes significantly extra.
Extended Usage Rights (+$300–$1,000): If the brand wants to re-share your content on their accounts or use it beyond 30 days, that's additional compensation. Some creators charge 50%