Calculate how much to charge brands for sponsored videos. Get fair rates based on your subscribers, views, engagement, and niche.
Different integration types command different rates.
Industry standard rates for YouTube brand deals.
Some content categories command premium rates.
Add your subscriber count and average views per video.
Choose your content category - it affects advertiser demand.
Pick the sponsorship format you're offering.
See your recommended sponsorship rate range.
Understanding how value flows in sponsorship deals.
A professional media kit increases your rates by 20-50%.
A common formula is $30-$50 per 1,000 views for mid-roll integrations. So if your videos average 50,000 views, charge $1,500-$2,500. Dedicated videos command $50-$100 per 1,000 views. Finance and tech channels can charge 50-100% more due to advertiser demand.
Sponsorship CPM ranges from $15-$100 depending on niche and integration type, while AdSense CPM is typically $2-$10. Sponsorships pay 5-20x more per view than ads, making them the most lucrative revenue stream for eligible channels.
Views matter significantly more. A 100K subscriber channel averaging 5K views is worth less than a 50K channel averaging 30K views. Brands pay for eyeballs and engagement, not vanity metrics. Always lead with your average views in negotiations.
Multiple approaches work: Join influencer platforms (Grapevine, AspireIQ, Creator.co), reach out directly to brands you authentically use, add a business email in your channel description, network at creator events, and use LinkedIn to find brand marketing managers. Inbound deals typically pay more than platforms.
Yes, legally required. FTC mandates clear disclosure. Use YouTube's "includes paid promotion" checkbox AND verbal disclosure early in the video. Non-disclosure can result in FTC fines up to $46,517 per violation, plus damaged audience trust that takes years to rebuild.
Always negotiate. Counter with your rate and justify with data (views, engagement, past sponsor results). Ask what their budget is - they may have flexibility. If they won't budge, it's okay to decline. Underselling hurts your future rates and the entire creator economy.
Limit to 1-2 sponsored videos per 10 uploads (10-20% maximum). Audiences accept sponsorships when content quality stays high and sponsors are relevant. Too many sponsors damages trust and engagement. One highly relevant, well-paying sponsor beats five low-paying irrelevant ones.
Yes, always. Standard practice is 50% upfront, 50% upon delivery (before publishing). For larger brands with established reputations, Net-30 after delivery is acceptable. Never accept 100% payment after publishing - you have zero leverage if they delay or dispute payment.
Essential elements: 1) Channel stats (subs, monthly views, avg views), 2) Demographics (age, gender, location percentages), 3) Engagement metrics (like ratio, retention), 4) Past sponsor results/case studies, 5) Rate card with tiers, 6) Content examples and brand list.
Usage rights determine where brands can use your content. Standard deals give YouTube-only rights. If brands want to use your video in their Facebook ads, website, or TV commercials, charge 25-100% extra depending on scope and duration. Always specify usage limitations in contracts.
Exclusivity prevents you from promoting competitors. If a VPN sponsor wants you to avoid promoting other VPNs for 3 months, charge 25-50% extra per month of exclusivity. This compensates for turning down competitor deals. Never give free exclusivity - it's extremely valuable.
Quick mentions: 15-30 seconds. Mid-roll integrations: 60-90 seconds optimal, up to 2 minutes acceptable. Dedicated videos: Entire video length. Longer isn't better - concise, engaging integrations with clear CTAs outperform lengthy, boring reads.
Whitelisting allows brands to run paid ads through your channel identity. Your face/name appears in their paid promotions. Charge $500-$2,000+ per month for this right - it uses your likeness and can affect your personal brand. Always set clear boundaries and approval processes.
Build leverage through: Growing consistent view counts, documenting sponsor ROI with case studies, establishing relationships with repeat sponsors, joining better platforms/agencies, increasing audience quality (more US/UK viewers), and simply asking - rates should increase 10-20% annually minimum.
Our calculator uses 2026 industry rate data from real brand deals across multiple platforms and agencies. Actual rates vary based on negotiation skills, brand budgets, seasonality (Q4 pays more), and your specific engagement metrics. Use as a starting point - strong negotiators exceed these rates.
Check out our other calculators for ads, memberships, and Super Chats.