CC101: How do you charge for brand deals when you're starting to create content?

When starting out as a content creator, securing brand deals and monetizing your social media accounts can be challenging. Brands may hesitate to work with creators with small followings or limited reach. However, charging for brand deals and creating a media kit that showcases your value as a content creator is still possible.

In today's episode of CC101, I want to share some tips to help you charge for brand deals when you're starting to create content.

Determine your worth

The first step in charging for brand deals is determining your content creator's worth. This can be challenging when you're just starting, but you can start by looking at creators in your niche with similar followings and see what they charge. You can also consider the time and effort you put into creating content, your engagement rates, and your potential reach.

If you are starting with social media or have a small number of followers, you can monetize your social media accounts through UGC content, which stands for User-Generated Content. You're offering your ability to film or shoot content that a brand can use in its social media profile or website. 

Be flexible

When you're starting, it's essential to be flexible in your rates and options. Brands may not have a significant budget for smaller creators, so you may need to be willing to negotiate or offer different types of collaborations, such as product reviews or social media shoutouts.

Another strategy you can adopt to charge for brand deals is to offer bundles, like IG posts + 3 IG stories, for a convenient price. This will give you an extra chance to secure the brand deal. 

Create a media kit

A media kit is a document that showcases your value as a content creator. It should include information about your niche, audience, engagement rates, and past collaborations. You can also include your rates and the types of collaborations you offer.

A great way to create your first media kit is through Contra. Contra is your best friend if you're a freelancer and want a unique space to showcase your portfolio, connect with other freelancers, and manage your jobs. 

Here are some tips for creating a media kit:

- Keep it concise and easy to read, but also make sure it's aligned with your personality

- Use high-quality images and graphics

- Highlight your unique selling points

- Include testimonials from past collaborators or audience members

- Update it regularly as your following grows and your content evolves.

Previously on CC101