Here's a price guide small creators on YouTube can use to set sponsorship rates in 2025.
Ever wondered what to charge for that brand deal sitting in your inbox? You're not alone.
Pricing sponsored content feels like a shot in the dark, especially when you're a YouTube creator who’s just starting out. But it doesn't have to be.
Let's cut through the confusion and get you some real numbers to work with.
First things first: you can start charging for brand deals as soon as you hit 1,000 subscribers. But here's the catch – your engagement matters more than your subscriber count.
What impacts your rates? Views per video, engagement rate, niche, and production quality.
A beauty channel with 5,000 highly engaged subscribers can often charge more than a gaming channel with 20,000 passive subscribers. And that's just the beginning.
Let's talk cold, hard cash. There are three main ways to price your content. Each has its sweet spot, and you'll want to pick the one that matches your channel's strengths.
This is your go-to for your first few brand sponsorship deals. As an up-and-coming nano-influencer (1,000-10,000 subscribers) or micro-influencer (10,000-100,000 subscribers), you can typically charge $200-$500 per video.
But don't let these numbers box you in. If you're in a specialized niche like tech reviews or financial advice, you can charge up to $2,000 per video even with a smaller audience.
What should your small creator flat rate include?
Usually:
Got a small but consistent viewership? The CPV approach might work better for you.
Industry standards for smaller creators typically range from $0.02 to $0.05 per view. Do the math based on your average views from the last 10 videos.
Quick calculation: If you get 5,000 views per video and charge $0.05 per view, that's $250. Add a base rate of $300-500 to cover your production costs. Now you're looking at $550-750 per video, and you can scale pricing as your views increase.
Current CPM Trends: Back in 2021, CPMs of $30-$40 were average. Now, in 2025, $15-$25 CPM is more typical, with many brands hovering around $15 CPM for initial partnerships.
Value-based pricing is trickier to nail down because it looks at your unique strengths, but it’s also how smaller creators can punch above their weight class.
High engagement is your superpower
If you're getting tons of comments on every video, that's a goldmine for brands looking for audience engagement. If 10% of your 5,000 subscribers comment on every video, that's more valuable than 10,000 passive subscribers.
Your specific knowledge is gold
Are you a nurse creating health content? A mechanic sharing car tips? Depending on your field, your professional background lets you charge 2-3x what general creators can.
Production quality matters even at your size
Content that looks professional, with great lighting, clear audio, and smooth editing commands a 30-50% premium over creators with similar audience sizes.
Your niche audience is a valuable target
Do you reach new parents, college students, or home cooks? Brands struggling to connect with these specific groups will pay a premium for your authentic relationship with them, regardless of your size.
Ready to put numbers to paper? Here's your step-by-step guide:
Every creator, no matter how small, needs to know their minimum. Add up:
This is your absolute minimum rate. Never go below this number.
Many smaller creators undersell themselves because they focus on their size rather than their engagement quality.
Note: High-value niches in 2025 are DIY, Educational/Tutorial, Entrepreneurial, Business, and Gaming.
We've all seen these:
This r/youtubers comment lists a few other scammer tactics especially targeted at new creators.
Here's something most creators don’t know when they’re first starting out: brands actually expect you to negotiate. Start by adding 20-30% to your ideal rate when you send that first proposal.
This gives you room to meet in the middle while still landing at your target price.
2. Offer more than one option
When it comes to structuring your offers, packages work wonders.
Justin Moore, YouTube sponsorship coach, suggests offering three tiers instead of quoting a single price.
Package structure example for a 5K subscriber channel:
This tiered approach works well even with modest numbers, as it lets you position your preferred package as the middle or premium choice.
The key to smooth brand deals lies in crystal-clear scope definition. Write down exactly what they get:
Pro tip: For your first deals with a brand, consider coming in slightly lower (around $15 CPM) and including extras like a community post or Instagram story mention. Ask for their conversion data in return, then use these results to negotiate higher rates for renewals.
Start by creating a simple rate card. Even if you're small, having this prepared makes you look professional. Keep detailed records of every deal in a spreadsheet - this becomes invaluable as you grow.
Be creative with your integrations: Brands are increasingly selecting creators who go beyond basic ad reads. Those who create fun skits or naturally integrate promotions into their content get higher conversion rates and more renewals.
Diversify your offerings: According to YouTube creator coach Roberto Blake, new creators can offer user-generated content as an alternative to traditional sponsored videos.
Instead of featuring products on your own channel, create professional-looking content specifically for the brand's social media accounts or paid advertising campaigns. This allows you to build relationships with sponsors while establishing your production skills and reliability.
Alternative revenue streams: If you can't secure traditional sponsorships yet, consider affiliate marketing partnerships. Good performance with affiliate links provides valuable conversion data you can use to approach brands for paid partnerships later.
Want to boost your sponsor value right now? Add professional captions to your videos. Creators who use captions see 80% higher video completion rate – a metric that sponsors love.
🚀 PS: Want to stand out as a content ceator? QuickSubs helps you create engaging captions / subtitles for your Shorts - it's an affordable option for small creators who want to stand out before brands.
Remember: your worth as a creator goes beyond numbers. But having clear rates gives you the confidence to negotiate like a pro. Start with these frameworks, adjust based on your results, and never be afraid to ask for what you're worth.
