Negotiating Rates & Terms
Once influencers have replied and are interested, it’s time to negotiate. There’s no one-size-fits-all method, but follow these principles to secure the best deals while maintaining professionalism.
Key Note: We only negotiate with influencers when they have been selected and gone through the S.E.L.E.C.T process see for more info:
Influencer Selection
1. Evaluate the Influencer Before Negotiating
- Check metrics: Audience size, engagement, and whether their views/likes are consistent.
- Beware of boosted posts: High views with very low engagement often means artificially inflated metrics.
- Ask yourself: “Can I justify this price for the results we expect?”
- General benchmark: Aim for $3–$10 CPM.
Use the BrandPlant rate calculator for help!
2. Negotiation Tactics
- Start simple and focused
- Be clear about the primary deliverable you want (e.g., “1 Instagram Reel”).
- Avoid listing multiple deliverables upfront – this allows room for negotiation later.
- Emphasize creative freedom
- Influencers perform best when content fits their style. Reassure them we want them to create what they usually post, just integrating the brand naturally.
- Manager leverage
- Future opportunities
- Remind them that successful campaigns often lead to more consistent work with BrandPlant.
- Use logic (politely)
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If their price is unreasonable for their performance, reference their stats:
“Based on your recent average views of X, the most I could justify is $X.”
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Be careful: Never insult the influencer. Keep tone professional and friendly.
- Monetary incentives
- Offer performance-based incentives where appropriate:
- Base fee + bonus per 1,000 views over a threshold.
- Be flexible on deal structures
- If the influencer suggests a structure that achieves client goals at a good price, accept it.
- Big deals (> $3,000)
- Always ask your Team leader if they think we need to organize a personal meeting with the influencer (Zoom/phone) before committing.
Key Rules