How much should I charge for my first brand deal?
November 10, 2026
A flat fee of $50 to $150 for a single post is reasonable for a creator with no paid history and a small but real audience. Product-only deals are fine for your first one or two if the product is something you would use anyway, but try to negotiate a small fee on top once you have even a little leverage.
The number matters less than you might think on your first deal. What matters more is tracking exactly how that link performed so your second pitch has a real result behind it instead of a guess. Brands pay more for creators who can show that a past placement actually got tapped, so a modest first fee that comes with solid proof is worth more long term than holding out for a bigger number with nothing to back it up.
If a brand offers product only, it is fine to accept for your first deal, especially if the product is useful to you anyway. From the second deal on, ask for cash on top, even a small amount, since accepting product only every time signals that you will always say yes to the cheapest offer. See how to get your first brand deal with a small following for how to build the proof that makes asking for more an easier conversation.
The full method is in How to Get Your First Brand Deal With a Small Following.