Free kit · No email wall · For creators with 1k–200k followers

The Sponsor Playbook

Find the brands already paying creators your size, pitch them this week, and quote a price you can defend line by line.

You don't know who sponsors creators your size. Your pitches get no reply. And when a brand offers $200, you have no number to push back with. This kit gives you the number in 2 minutes, the brands in 10, and the exact words for both.

Get your win in 5 minutes ↓See everything inside

What this would cost you

$1,097

What it costs you

2 minSponsor Rate Calculator
10 minThe 10-minute sponsor finder
5 min per pitch6 pitch emails + 6 DMs
20 minEditable media kit
1 minSponsor tracker (CSV)
1 min each4 AI prompts

niches × 6 platforms priced in the calculator

pitch emails & DMs, fill in the blanks

brand pushbacks answered word for word

checks before you sign — and get paid

tracker columns, from “found them” to “paid”

Your 5-minute win: know what one post is worth

Runs 100% in your browser, even offline. Every rate is an estimate built from public ranges, and the sources are listed inside.

Open your analytics. Take the views of your last 10 posts and pick the middle one (the median). Not your best post — brands check.
In the calculator below, pick your platform and niche and enter that number. Or tap a sample first to see how it works.
Read three numbers: Low (your walk-away floor), Fair, and the green counteroffer. Already have an offer? Type it in — the reply email is written for you.

Sponsor Rate CalculatorOpen full screen ↗

Everything inside

7 pieces. Each one does one job, in minutes.

🧮

Sponsor Rate Calculator

Low / fair / premium price for 6 platforms and 14 niches, what moved the number, and a counteroffer email filled with your numbers.

2 minOpen ↗

🔎

The 10-minute sponsor finder

Copy-paste searches and free ad libraries that show you brands already paying creators in your niche — with the proof link.

10 minSee it ↓

✉️

6 pitch emails + 6 DMs

Cold, warm, two follow-ups, re-engage, and “I saw you sponsored X”. Under 150 words, one ask each.

5 min per pitchSee it ↓

🪪

Editable media kit

One page. Click any text to edit it, add your photo, save as PDF. Light and dark versions.

20 minOpen ↗

📊

Sponsor tracker (CSV)

31 columns from “where I found them” to “paid date”. Import into Google Sheets, Excel, Notion or Airtable.

1 minDownload

🤖

4 AI prompts

Personalize a pitch, turn your analytics into a media kit, answer a lowball, red-flag a contract. Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini.

1 min each

# 4 AI prompts for sponsor outreach

Paste into Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini. Fill the [BRACKETS]. Each prompt tells the AI not to invent numbers, because a made-up stat in a pitch is the fastest way to lose a brand's trust.

---

## Prompt 1 — Personalize a pitch in 60 seconds

```
You are helping me write a short sponsorship pitch email to a brand.

ABOUT ME
- Platform(s): [PLATFORM]
- Topic / niche: [NICHE]
- Audience: [WHO THEY ARE, TOP COUNTRY %, AGE RANGE]
- Median views per post (last 10): [NUMBER]
- One proof my audience trusts me: [E.G. "180 comments per video asking about tools"]
- How I've used their product: [HOW LONG / WHAT FOR — or "haven't used it yet"]

ABOUT THE BRAND
- Brand + product: [BRAND, PRODUCT]
- Evidence they sponsor creators: [LINK OR DESCRIPTION OF A SPONSORED POST]
- Who their ads target (from their Meta Ad Library / TikTok ads): [DESCRIPTION]
- Contact: [NAME, ROLE]

TASK
Write 3 versions of a cold pitch email, each under 120 words:
1. Leads with their buyer and my audience overlap.
2. Leads with a specific content idea (title + how the product appears).
3. Leads with the creator they already sponsored ("I saw your collab with ...").

Rules:
- Use ONLY the numbers I gave you. Never invent stats, results or past partners. If something is missing, write [MISSING: ...].
- One ask at the end, a yes/no question.
- Plain, confident, friendly. No hype words ("amazing", "game-changer", "synergy").
- Give 3 subject lines per version, under 7 words, sentence case.
```

---

## Prompt 2 — Turn my analytics into a media kit

```
I'll paste my analytics below. Turn them into a one-page media kit using this structure:
1. One-line positioning: "I help [AUDIENCE] [RESULT] through [FORMAT]."
2. Audience at a glance: 4 numbers with time windows.
3. Who watches: countries, age, and a 3-bullet description of who they are and what they buy.
4. Why they listen: 3 proofs drawn only from the data.
5. Ways to work together: [MY DELIVERABLES AND STARTING PRICES].
6. Contact line.

Rules:
- Use medians where I give them. Label every number with its period.
- Do not invent any number, brand or result. Mark gaps as [ADD: ...].
- Under 300 words total.

MY ANALYTICS:
[PASTE: subscriber/follower count, last 10 post views, top countries, age split, engagement, newsletter stats, any past sponsor results]
```

---

## Prompt 3 — Reply to a lowball offer

```
A brand sent me this message:
"""
[PASTE THEIR EMAIL]
"""

My numbers from the Sponsor Rate Calculator:
- Low (walk-away): $[LOW]
- Fair: $[FAIR]
- Premium: $[PREMIUM]
- Counteroffer to send: $[COUNTER]
- Deliverable they want: [DELIVERABLE]
- Usage / whitelisting / exclusivity they asked for: [DETAILS]

Write a reply that:
1. Thanks them and shows I want the deal.
2. Counters at $[COUNTER], with a one-line reason based on my views and price per 1,000 views.
3. Offers a smaller-scope option at no less than $[LOW] if budget is fixed (trade scope, never discount the same scope).
4. Proposes payment terms: 50% on signing, 50% on publish.
5. Ends with one clear question.
Under 150 words. Warm, direct, no apologizing.
```

---

## Prompt 4 — Review a sponsorship contract (red-flag scan)

```
You are not my lawyer and this is not legal advice. Act as a careful reviewer who flags clauses a small creator should ask about.

Read the contract below and produce a table with: Clause | What it says in plain English | Risk (low/medium/high) | Question to ask the brand | Suggested wording.

Check specifically:
- Deliverables, deadlines, how long content must stay live
- Revision rounds and approval deadlines
- Usage rights: duration, channels, paid ads, editing my content, perpetuity
- Exclusivity: scope and duration
- Payment amount, schedule, net terms, invoice trigger, late fees
- Kill fee / cancellation
- Ownership vs license
- Indemnity and liability (is it one-sided?)
- Morals clause (is it mutual?)
- Disclosure requirements
- Any performance guarantees (views, sales)

Then list the 3 changes I should ask for first.

CONTRACT:
"""
[PASTE CONTRACT TEXT]
"""
```

Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

🗓️

The 7-day plan

From “what am I worth?” to 15–20 personalized pitches sent. Tick the steps, track your progress.

60–90 min a daySee it ↓

12 pitches, 10 scripts, 4 prompts — copy-ready

Open any of them to read it, or copy the whole thing in one click.

Pitch emails + DM versions

Six emails and six DMs. Fill every [BRACKET]. Delete any line you can't make true.

Rules that apply to all of them

One brand, one reason. If you could send the same email to a different brand by swapping the name, it's not ready.
Lead with their goal, not your follower count. Brands sponsor creators to reach a specific buyer. Show them you have that buyer.
Real numbers only. Use median views of your last 10 posts, not your best post. A brand that checks and finds a gap won't reply.
One ask. "Open to a quick look at the media kit?" beats "Let me know your thoughts, budget, timeline, and if you'd like a call."
Under 150 words for cold emails. They read it on a phone between meetings.
Subject lines in lowercase or sentence case. They look like a person wrote them, not a newsletter.

Who to send it to (in this order): the person whose title has "influencer", "creator", "partnerships", or "affiliate" in it → the head of growth / marketing at small companies → the founder at very small companies (under ~20 people). For newsletters, look for "sponsorships" or "brand partnerships". The generic partnerships@ inbox is a fallback, not plan A.

Email 1 — Cold pitch (they've never heard of you)

Subject options

[your channel] x [Brand] — [their product] for [your audience]
idea for [Brand]'s [product] launch
[number] [audience type] who [do the thing their product helps with]

Hi [FIRST NAME],

I make [FORMAT] about [TOPIC] for [SPECIFIC AUDIENCE, e.g. "solo developers shipping their first SaaS"] on [PLATFORM] — [MEDIAN VIEWS] views per video, [TOP GEO]% [COUNTRY], mostly [AGE RANGE].

I've used [PRODUCT] for [HOW LONG / WHAT FOR]. My audience asks me about [PROBLEM YOUR PRODUCT SOLVES] almost every week — [ONE REAL EXAMPLE: "my last video on X got 140 comments asking which tool I use for Y"].

Idea: a [60–90s integration / dedicated video / newsletter feature] showing [CONCRETE USE CASE] in my [UPCOMING VIDEO TOPIC] video, going live [MONTH].

Want me to send my media kit and two concept options?

[YOUR NAME]
[CHANNEL LINK] · [MEDIA KIT LINK]

Why it works: three proofs in three lines (who, how many, why them), one concrete idea, one yes/no ask.

Email 2 — Warm pitch (they know you: you've tagged them, used their product publicly, met them, or they follow you)

Subject: following up from [WHERE YOU INTERACTED] or that [Brand] post did well

Hi [FIRST NAME],

[WARM HOOK — pick one:]
- You replied to my [video/post] about [TOPIC] last [MONTH] — thanks for that.
- I mentioned [PRODUCT] (unpaid) in my [DATE] video and [RESULT: "it was the most-clicked link that week" / "23 people asked for the link"].
- We met at [EVENT] — I'm the one who [MEMORABLE DETAIL].

I'd like to do it properly this time: a paid [DELIVERABLE] built around [USE CASE], aimed at my [AUDIENCE] ([MEDIAN VIEWS] avg views, [ENGAGEMENT METRIC]).

I've put together two concepts and a rate card. Should I send them to you, or is there someone on your team who handles creator partnerships?

[YOUR NAME]
[CHANNEL LINK]

Why it works: proof that you already moved their metric for free is the strongest argument you have.

Email 3 — Follow-up #1 (3–4 business days after no reply)

Reply in the same thread. Add something new; never "just bumping this."

Subject: (same thread)

Hi [FIRST NAME],

Quick add to my note below: [NEW, SPECIFIC THING — pick one:]
- my [DATE] video on [TOPIC] just passed [NUMBER] views, and the top comment is asking about [PROBLEM THEIR PRODUCT SOLVES].
- here's a 20-second rough concept of how I'd show [PRODUCT]: [LINK].
- I have a slot open in my [DATE] upload, which is about [TOPIC] — a natural fit for [PRODUCT].

Worth a look?

[YOUR NAME]

Email 4 — Follow-up #2 / breakup (7 days after follow-up #1)

Short, polite, and closes the loop. It makes "no" or "later" easy to say, and a "later" is useful information.

Subject: (same thread)

Hi [FIRST NAME],

I'll stop filling your inbox after this one.

If creator partnerships aren't a priority this quarter, no worries — a one-word "later" helps me plan. If someone else on your team owns this, I'd be grateful for their name.

Either way, I'll keep recommending [PRODUCT] when it fits.

[YOUR NAME]

Then stop. Put a reminder in your tracker to try again in 90 days with a new angle (new video, new numbers, new product launch on their side).

Email 5 — Re-engage a past sponsor

Best time to send: 2–4 weeks after the original campaign's results are clear, or ahead of their known busy season (Q4, back-to-school, January, a launch).

Subject: [Brand] x [your channel] — round 2?

Hi [FIRST NAME],

Our [MONTH] [DELIVERABLE] is still pulling: [REAL RESULT — views now, clicks, code uses, comments, "people still ask about it"].

Since then my channel has [WHAT CHANGED: "grown from X to Y median views" / "added a newsletter with Z subscribers" / "launched Shorts averaging N views"].

Two options for [QUARTER / LAUNCH]:
1. Repeat: same format, [PRICE A].
2. Package: [3] [DELIVERABLES] over [3] months at [PRICE B] — [X]% less per piece than buying them one by one, and your audience sees [PRODUCT] more than once, which is usually when they buy.

Which one works better for your plan?

[YOUR NAME]

Why it works: a "which one" question is easier to answer than "are you interested." Offering a multi-month package is how one-off deals become retainers.

Email 6 — "I noticed you sponsored [OTHER CREATOR]"

The warmest cold email there is: they have budget, they've used it on someone like you, and they know how creator deals work.

Subject: saw your [Creator] integration

Hi [FIRST NAME],

I saw [PRODUCT] in [CREATOR]'s [VIDEO/POST TITLE] on [DATE] — [ONE SPECIFIC, HONEST COMPLIMENT: "the screen-share demo was the clearest I've seen"].

I make [FORMAT] for a very similar audience: [AUDIENCE], [MEDIAN VIEWS] avg views, [GEO/AGE]. The difference: [YOUR ANGLE — "my viewers are earlier-stage, so they're still choosing their tools" / "I focus on [SUB-NICHE] where you don't have coverage yet"].

If that campaign worked, I can run the same play to an audience that hasn't seen it. Want my media kit and a concept?

[YOUR NAME]
[CHANNEL LINK]

Don't trash the other creator. Don't claim "my audience is better." Say "similar audience, different angle."

DM versions (Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn)

DMs to brand accounts get read by social media managers, not decision-makers. The goal of a DM is almost always to get the right email address, not to close the deal in DMs. Exception: small brands where the founder runs the account.

DM 1 — Cold

Hi! I make [FORMAT] about [TOPIC] for [AUDIENCE] ([MEDIAN VIEWS] avg views). I already use [PRODUCT] and have a concrete idea for a paid collab. Who's the best person to email about creator partnerships?

DM 2 — Warm

Hey [NAME]! Thanks for the [like/reply/share] on my [TOPIC] post. I mentioned [PRODUCT] there and [RESULT]. Would love to do a proper paid collab — what's the best email for partnerships?

DM 3 — Follow-up (5 days later)

Quick follow-up — I have a [MONTH] video on [TOPIC] where [PRODUCT] would fit naturally. Happy to send a 1-page concept to whoever handles partnerships.

DM 4 — Past sponsor

Hey [NAME]! Our [MONTH] collab is still getting comments asking about [PRODUCT]. Planning my [QUARTER] content now — want me to send two options for round 2?

DM 5 — "I saw you sponsored X"

Saw your collab with [CREATOR] — great demo. I reach a similar audience ([AUDIENCE], [MEDIAN VIEWS] avg views) with a [DIFFERENT ANGLE]. Who should I send a concept to?

DM 6 — LinkedIn (to a person, not a brand page)

Hi [FIRST NAME] — I write about [TOPIC] for [AUDIENCE: "B2B founders and RevOps leads"], ~[IMPRESSIONS] impressions per post. I use [PRODUCT] for [USE CASE] and have an idea for a sponsored post series. Are you the right person, or is it someone on your team?

Personalization in 3 minutes per brand

Before sending, write down these three lines in your tracker. If you can't fill all three, the brand isn't qualified yet.

Their buyer: who their ads target (check their Meta Ad Library ads: the people in the ads and the words they use).
Their proof they pay creators: the link to one sponsored post / video / newsletter issue.
Your bridge: one sentence connecting your audience to their buyer, with one number.

Last verified: October 2026. Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

# Pitch emails + DM versions

Six emails and six DMs. Fill every [BRACKET]. Delete any line you can't make true.

**Rules that apply to all of them**

1. **One brand, one reason.** If you could send the same email to a different brand by swapping the name, it's not ready.
2. **Lead with their goal, not your follower count.** Brands sponsor creators to reach a specific buyer. Show them you have that buyer.
3. **Real numbers only.** Use median views of your last 10 posts, not your best post. A brand that checks and finds a gap won't reply.
4. **One ask.** "Open to a quick look at the media kit?" beats "Let me know your thoughts, budget, timeline, and if you'd like a call."
5. **Under 150 words** for cold emails. They read it on a phone between meetings.
6. **Subject lines in lowercase or sentence case.** They look like a person wrote them, not a newsletter.

**Who to send it to** (in this order): the person whose title has "influencer", "creator", "partnerships", or "affiliate" in it → the head of growth / marketing at small companies → the founder at very small companies (under ~20 people). For newsletters, look for "sponsorships" or "brand partnerships". The generic `partnerships@` inbox is a fallback, not plan A.

---

## Email 1 — Cold pitch (they've never heard of you)

**Subject options**
- `[your channel] x [Brand] — [their product] for [your audience]`
- `idea for [Brand]'s [product] launch`
- `[number] [audience type] who [do the thing their product helps with]`

```
Hi [FIRST NAME],

I make [FORMAT] about [TOPIC] for [SPECIFIC AUDIENCE, e.g. "solo developers shipping their first SaaS"] on [PLATFORM] — [MEDIAN VIEWS] views per video, [TOP GEO]% [COUNTRY], mostly [AGE RANGE].

I've used [PRODUCT] for [HOW LONG / WHAT FOR]. My audience asks me about [PROBLEM YOUR PRODUCT SOLVES] almost every week — [ONE REAL EXAMPLE: "my last video on X got 140 comments asking which tool I use for Y"].

Idea: a [60–90s integration / dedicated video / newsletter feature] showing [CONCRETE USE CASE] in my [UPCOMING VIDEO TOPIC] video, going live [MONTH].

Want me to send my media kit and two concept options?

[YOUR NAME]
[CHANNEL LINK] · [MEDIA KIT LINK]
```

Why it works: three proofs in three lines (who, how many, why them), one concrete idea, one yes/no ask.

---

## Email 2 — Warm pitch (they know you: you've tagged them, used their product publicly, met them, or they follow you)

**Subject:** `following up from [WHERE YOU INTERACTED]` or `that [Brand] post did well`

```
Hi [FIRST NAME],

[WARM HOOK — pick one:]
- You replied to my [video/post] about [TOPIC] last [MONTH] — thanks for that.
- I mentioned [PRODUCT] (unpaid) in my [DATE] video and [RESULT: "it was the most-clicked link that week" / "23 people asked for the link"].
- We met at [EVENT] — I'm the one who [MEMORABLE DETAIL].

I'd like to do it properly this time: a paid [DELIVERABLE] built around [USE CASE], aimed at my [AUDIENCE] ([MEDIAN VIEWS] avg views, [ENGAGEMENT METRIC]).

I've put together two concepts and a rate card. Should I send them to you, or is there someone on your team who handles creator partnerships?

[YOUR NAME]
[CHANNEL LINK]
```

Why it works: proof that you already moved their metric for free is the strongest argument you have.

---

## Email 3 — Follow-up #1 (3–4 business days after no reply)

Reply in the same thread. Add something new; never "just bumping this."

**Subject:** (same thread)

```
Hi [FIRST NAME],

Quick add to my note below: [NEW, SPECIFIC THING — pick one:]
- my [DATE] video on [TOPIC] just passed [NUMBER] views, and the top comment is asking about [PROBLEM THEIR PRODUCT SOLVES].
- here's a 20-second rough concept of how I'd show [PRODUCT]: [LINK].
- I have a slot open in my [DATE] upload, which is about [TOPIC] — a natural fit for [PRODUCT].

Worth a look?

[YOUR NAME]
```

---

## Email 4 — Follow-up #2 / breakup (7 days after follow-up #1)

Short, polite, and closes the loop. It makes "no" or "later" easy to say, and a "later" is useful information.

**Subject:** (same thread)

```
Hi [FIRST NAME],

I'll stop filling your inbox after this one.

If creator partnerships aren't a priority this quarter, no worries — a one-word "later" helps me plan. If someone else on your team owns this, I'd be grateful for their name.

Either way, I'll keep recommending [PRODUCT] when it fits.

[YOUR NAME]
```

Then stop. Put a reminder in your tracker to try again in 90 days with a new angle (new video, new numbers, new product launch on their side).

---

## Email 5 — Re-engage a past sponsor

Best time to send: 2–4 weeks after the original campaign's results are clear, or ahead of their known busy season (Q4, back-to-school, January, a launch).

**Subject:** `[Brand] x [your channel] — round 2?`

```
Hi [FIRST NAME],

Our [MONTH] [DELIVERABLE] is still pulling: [REAL RESULT — views now, clicks, code uses, comments, "people still ask about it"].

Since then my channel has [WHAT CHANGED: "grown from X to Y median views" / "added a newsletter with Z subscribers" / "launched Shorts averaging N views"].

Two options for [QUARTER / LAUNCH]:
1. Repeat: same format, [PRICE A].
2. Package: [3] [DELIVERABLES] over [3] months at [PRICE B] — [X]% less per piece than buying them one by one, and your audience sees [PRODUCT] more than once, which is usually when they buy.

Which one works better for your plan?

[YOUR NAME]
```

Why it works: a "which one" question is easier to answer than "are you interested." Offering a multi-month package is how one-off deals become retainers.

---

## Email 6 — "I noticed you sponsored [OTHER CREATOR]"

The warmest cold email there is: they have budget, they've used it on someone like you, and they know how creator deals work.

**Subject:** `saw your [Creator] integration`

```
Hi [FIRST NAME],

I saw [PRODUCT] in [CREATOR]'s [VIDEO/POST TITLE] on [DATE] — [ONE SPECIFIC, HONEST COMPLIMENT: "the screen-share demo was the clearest I've seen"].

I make [FORMAT] for a very similar audience: [AUDIENCE], [MEDIAN VIEWS] avg views, [GEO/AGE]. The difference: [YOUR ANGLE — "my viewers are earlier-stage, so they're still choosing their tools" / "I focus on [SUB-NICHE] where you don't have coverage yet"].

If that campaign worked, I can run the same play to an audience that hasn't seen it. Want my media kit and a concept?

[YOUR NAME]
[CHANNEL LINK]
```

Don't trash the other creator. Don't claim "my audience is better." Say "similar audience, different angle."

---

## DM versions (Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn)

DMs to brand accounts get read by social media managers, not decision-makers. The goal of a DM is almost always to **get the right email address**, not to close the deal in DMs. Exception: small brands where the founder runs the account.

**DM 1 — Cold**
```
Hi! I make [FORMAT] about [TOPIC] for [AUDIENCE] ([MEDIAN VIEWS] avg views). I already use [PRODUCT] and have a concrete idea for a paid collab. Who's the best person to email about creator partnerships?
```

**DM 2 — Warm**
```
Hey [NAME]! Thanks for the [like/reply/share] on my [TOPIC] post. I mentioned [PRODUCT] there and [RESULT]. Would love to do a proper paid collab — what's the best email for partnerships?
```

**DM 3 — Follow-up (5 days later)**
```
Quick follow-up — I have a [MONTH] video on [TOPIC] where [PRODUCT] would fit naturally. Happy to send a 1-page concept to whoever handles partnerships.
```

**DM 4 — Past sponsor**
```
Hey [NAME]! Our [MONTH] collab is still getting comments asking about [PRODUCT]. Planning my [QUARTER] content now — want me to send two options for round 2?
```

**DM 5 — "I saw you sponsored X"**
```
Saw your collab with [CREATOR] — great demo. I reach a similar audience ([AUDIENCE], [MEDIAN VIEWS] avg views) with a [DIFFERENT ANGLE]. Who should I send a concept to?
```

**DM 6 — LinkedIn (to a person, not a brand page)**
```
Hi [FIRST NAME] — I write about [TOPIC] for [AUDIENCE: "B2B founders and RevOps leads"], ~[IMPRESSIONS] impressions per post. I use [PRODUCT] for [USE CASE] and have an idea for a sponsored post series. Are you the right person, or is it someone on your team?
```

---

## Personalization in 3 minutes per brand

Before sending, write down these three lines in your tracker. If you can't fill all three, the brand isn't qualified yet.

1. **Their buyer:** who their ads target (check their Meta Ad Library ads: the people in the ads and the words they use).
2. **Their proof they pay creators:** the link to one sponsored post / video / newsletter issue.
3. **Your bridge:** one sentence connecting your audience to their buyer, with one number.

Last verified: October 2026. Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

Negotiation scripts: 10 pushbacks, word for word

How to use these:

Never negotiate against yourself. If they haven't named a number, don't drop yours.
Trade, don't discount. Every time the price goes down, the scope goes down too (fewer deliverables, no usage rights, no exclusivity, longer turnaround). Otherwise you just taught them your first number was fake.
Have your three numbers ready before you reply: your floor (the calculator's "low"), your target (fair), your anchor (the counteroffer). Run them in ../tools/sponsor-rate-calculator.html.
Reply in writing. Email keeps a record and gives you time to think.
"No" is a complete answer. A brand that won't pay your floor is not your sponsor. Your calendar slot is worth more empty than full at a loss.

1. "We don't have budget for this."

What it usually means: no budget at this price, for this quarter, or from this person.

Totally understand. Two questions so I can see if there's a version that works:

1. Is there a budget range you're working with for creator campaigns this quarter? If I know the number, I can tell you honestly what I can deliver for it.
2. If it's a timing thing, when does your next budget open up? I'm planning [MONTH] content now.

If they give you a number below your floor:

Thanks for sharing. At [THEIR NUMBER], the best I can do is a [SMALLER DELIVERABLE: story set / Short / secondary newsletter slot] with organic usage only. The full [DELIVERABLE] starts at [YOUR FLOOR]. Happy to go either way.

2. "We only do gifting / product seeding."

Thanks for thinking of me! I'm happy to receive [PRODUCT] and try it — no strings. If I end up loving it, I may mention it organically, but I can't promise coverage.

For guaranteed content (a dedicated [DELIVERABLE], your talking points, a link, a deadline), my rate starts at [RATE]. If paid partnerships open up later, I'd love to be on the list.

Note: in the US, UK and EU, a gifted product you post about still counts as a material connection / incentive and must be disclosed. See ../checklists/contract-and-payment-checklist.md.

3. "Can you do it for exposure? We'll share it with our audience."

I appreciate the offer. Exposure is real value, but it doesn't cover the [X] hours it takes to script, film and edit a sponsored piece that actually converts.

If sharing is part of your plan, I'd suggest: my standard rate of [RATE], and your repost counts toward a small discount — say [5–10]% off — if you can tell me roughly how many people it would reach.

4. "Your rate is too high."

Fair question. Here's how I got there: my last 10 [videos/posts] average [MEDIAN VIEWS] [views/opens], which puts this at about [$ PER 1,000] per 1,000 — in the normal range for [NICHE] creators.

If the total is the issue, I can bring it down by adjusting scope:
- Option A: [DELIVERABLE] without usage rights — [LOWER PRICE]
- Option B: [SHORTER FORMAT] — [LOWER PRICE]
- Option C: the full package as proposed — [ORIGINAL PRICE]

Which is closest to what you had in mind?

The "price per 1,000" line moves the conversation from "is this expensive?" to "is this a normal CPM?" That's a conversation you can win.

5. "Other creators your size charge less."

That might be true — rates vary a lot. What I can speak to is my numbers: [MEDIAN VIEWS] median views, [ENGAGEMENT METRIC], and an audience that's [X]% [TARGET GEO / ROLE / AGE]. [OPTIONAL PROOF: "My last integration drove [N] clicks / code uses."]

If you're comparing on reach alone, a cheaper creator might be the better buy. If you're paying for the right buyer, I think I'm the better one. Happy to send a case study from my last partnership.

6. "We can do it as affiliate / commission only."

I'm open to affiliate on top of a flat fee — it shows we both believe in it. Commission-only doesn't work for me, because the creative work and the audience's attention are spent whether or not they buy that week.

Proposal: [FLAT FEE] + [X]% commission (or [$] per sale) on a tracked link/code for [90] days.

If the flat fee must be lower: trade flat fee down for a higher commission rate and a longer attribution window. Ask for access to the tracking dashboard.

7. "We need full usage rights in perpetuity."

I can do that — perpetual, all-channel usage is a licensing fee on top of the content fee, because the content becomes a long-term ad asset for you.

For reference:
- [3] months organic reuse on your channels: included / +[X]%
- [12] months including paid ads: +[Y]%
- Perpetual, all channels: +[Z]%

Most brands I work with find [3–6] months is plenty for one campaign. Which fits your plan?

Push for: time limits, channel limits (organic social only vs paid ads vs TV/OOH), and a clause that they can't edit your face or voice into new claims you didn't make.

8. "We need exclusivity for 6 months."

Understood. Exclusivity means I turn down every [CATEGORY] brand for that time, so it's priced separately.

- 30 days, direct competitors only (list of up to [5] named brands): +[X]%
- 90 days, same: +[Y]%
- 6 months, whole category: +[Z]%

Could we name the specific competitors instead of the whole category? That usually keeps the cost down for you.

9. "Can you post it this week?" (rush)

I can make that work. Because it means moving another project, rush delivery (live within [72 hours / 7 days]) is +[X]%. If [STANDARD DATE] works instead, it's the standard rate.

10. "We'd like unlimited revisions" / "We'll need to approve the script, the edit, and the final"

I'm happy to share a script outline and a draft before publishing. My rate includes [one / two] round(s) of revisions on the draft, focused on accuracy and brand guidelines. Additional rounds are [$X] each, and changes after approval are billed as a re-edit.

That keeps the video in my voice, which is the reason it works on my audience.

When to walk away

Walk away (politely) if the brand:

Won't put the deal in writing.
Asks for content before signing or before the first payment, and you've never worked with them.
Wants perpetual, all-media usage at your base rate and won't move.
Wants you to make claims you can't back up (health, money, "guaranteed results").
Asks you to hide or minimize the disclosure.

Thanks for the conversation. It sounds like we're not aligned on [scope / terms] this time, and that's OK. If things change, I'd be glad to talk again.

Last verified: October 2026. Templates, not legal advice. Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

# Negotiation scripts: 10 pushbacks, word for word

How to use these:

- **Never negotiate against yourself.** If they haven't named a number, don't drop yours.
- **Trade, don't discount.** Every time the price goes down, the scope goes down too (fewer deliverables, no usage rights, no exclusivity, longer turnaround). Otherwise you just taught them your first number was fake.
- **Have your three numbers ready** before you reply: your **floor** (the calculator's "low"), your **target** (fair), your **anchor** (the counteroffer). Run them in `../tools/sponsor-rate-calculator.html`.
- **Reply in writing.** Email keeps a record and gives you time to think.
- **"No" is a complete answer.** A brand that won't pay your floor is not your sponsor. Your calendar slot is worth more empty than full at a loss.

---

## 1. "We don't have budget for this."

What it usually means: no budget *at this price*, *for this quarter*, or *from this person*.

```
Totally understand. Two questions so I can see if there's a version that works:

1. Is there a budget range you're working with for creator campaigns this quarter? If I know the number, I can tell you honestly what I can deliver for it.
2. If it's a timing thing, when does your next budget open up? I'm planning [MONTH] content now.
```

If they give you a number below your floor:

```
Thanks for sharing. At [THEIR NUMBER], the best I can do is a [SMALLER DELIVERABLE: story set / Short / secondary newsletter slot] with organic usage only. The full [DELIVERABLE] starts at [YOUR FLOOR]. Happy to go either way.
```

---

## 2. "We only do gifting / product seeding."

```
Thanks for thinking of me! I'm happy to receive [PRODUCT] and try it — no strings. If I end up loving it, I may mention it organically, but I can't promise coverage.

For guaranteed content (a dedicated [DELIVERABLE], your talking points, a link, a deadline), my rate starts at [RATE]. If paid partnerships open up later, I'd love to be on the list.
```

Note: in the US, UK and EU, a gifted product you post about still counts as a material connection / incentive and must be disclosed. See `../checklists/contract-and-payment-checklist.md`.

---

## 3. "Can you do it for exposure? We'll share it with our audience."

```
I appreciate the offer. Exposure is real value, but it doesn't cover the [X] hours it takes to script, film and edit a sponsored piece that actually converts.

If sharing is part of your plan, I'd suggest: my standard rate of [RATE], and your repost counts toward a small discount — say [5–10]% off — if you can tell me roughly how many people it would reach.
```

---

## 4. "Your rate is too high."

```
Fair question. Here's how I got there: my last 10 [videos/posts] average [MEDIAN VIEWS] [views/opens], which puts this at about [$ PER 1,000] per 1,000 — in the normal range for [NICHE] creators.

If the total is the issue, I can bring it down by adjusting scope:
- Option A: [DELIVERABLE] without usage rights — [LOWER PRICE]
- Option B: [SHORTER FORMAT] — [LOWER PRICE]
- Option C: the full package as proposed — [ORIGINAL PRICE]

Which is closest to what you had in mind?
```

The "price per 1,000" line moves the conversation from "is this expensive?" to "is this a normal CPM?" That's a conversation you can win.

---

## 5. "Other creators your size charge less."

```
That might be true — rates vary a lot. What I can speak to is my numbers: [MEDIAN VIEWS] median views, [ENGAGEMENT METRIC], and an audience that's [X]% [TARGET GEO / ROLE / AGE]. [OPTIONAL PROOF: "My last integration drove [N] clicks / code uses."]

If you're comparing on reach alone, a cheaper creator might be the better buy. If you're paying for the right buyer, I think I'm the better one. Happy to send a case study from my last partnership.
```

---

## 6. "We can do it as affiliate / commission only."

```
I'm open to affiliate on top of a flat fee — it shows we both believe in it. Commission-only doesn't work for me, because the creative work and the audience's attention are spent whether or not they buy that week.

Proposal: [FLAT FEE] + [X]% commission (or [$] per sale) on a tracked link/code for [90] days.
```

If the flat fee must be lower: trade flat fee down for a higher commission rate and a longer attribution window. Ask for access to the tracking dashboard.

---

## 7. "We need full usage rights in perpetuity."

```
I can do that — perpetual, all-channel usage is a licensing fee on top of the content fee, because the content becomes a long-term ad asset for you.

For reference:
- [3] months organic reuse on your channels: included / +[X]%
- [12] months including paid ads: +[Y]%
- Perpetual, all channels: +[Z]%

Most brands I work with find [3–6] months is plenty for one campaign. Which fits your plan?
```

Push for: time limits, channel limits (organic social only vs paid ads vs TV/OOH), and a clause that they can't edit your face or voice into new claims you didn't make.

---

## 8. "We need exclusivity for 6 months."

```
Understood. Exclusivity means I turn down every [CATEGORY] brand for that time, so it's priced separately.

- 30 days, direct competitors only (list of up to [5] named brands): +[X]%
- 90 days, same: +[Y]%
- 6 months, whole category: +[Z]%

Could we name the specific competitors instead of the whole category? That usually keeps the cost down for you.
```

---

## 9. "Can you post it this week?" (rush)

```
I can make that work. Because it means moving another project, rush delivery (live within [72 hours / 7 days]) is +[X]%. If [STANDARD DATE] works instead, it's the standard rate.
```

---

## 10. "We'd like unlimited revisions" / "We'll need to approve the script, the edit, and the final"

```
I'm happy to share a script outline and a draft before publishing. My rate includes [one / two] round(s) of revisions on the draft, focused on accuracy and brand guidelines. Additional rounds are [$X] each, and changes after approval are billed as a re-edit.

That keeps the video in my voice, which is the reason it works on my audience.
```

---

## When to walk away

Walk away (politely) if the brand:

- Won't put the deal in writing.
- Asks for content before signing or before the first payment, and you've never worked with them.
- Wants perpetual, all-media usage at your base rate and won't move.
- Wants you to make claims you can't back up (health, money, "guaranteed results").
- Asks you to hide or minimize the disclosure.

```
Thanks for the conversation. It sounds like we're not aligned on [scope / terms] this time, and that's OK. If things change, I'd be glad to talk again.
```

Last verified: October 2026. Templates, not legal advice. Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

Media kit template (one page)

A media kit has one job: let a busy marketer decide "yes, this creator reaches my buyer" in 30 seconds. One page. Real numbers. Screenshots available on request.

Want it designed? Open media-kit.html, click any text to edit it, then File → Print → Save as PDF. Below is the same content as plain text, for Notion, Google Docs or Canva.

[YOUR NAME / CHANNEL NAME]

[ONE-LINE POSITIONING: "I help [AUDIENCE] [GET RESULT] — through [FORMAT]."] Example: "I help first-time founders ship SaaS products with AI — through weekly build videos."

[PHOTO OR CHANNEL ART]

Audience at a glance

Metric	Number	Period
[Primary platform] followers / subscribers	[NUMBER]	as of [DATE]
Median views per [video/Reel/post]	[NUMBER]	last 10 posts
Newsletter subscribers / open rate	[NUMBER] / [X]%	last 30 days
Monthly views (all platforms)	[NUMBER]	last 30 days
Engagement rate	[X]%	(likes + comments + saves) ÷ views, last 10 posts

Use medians, not averages (one viral post distorts an average). Always add the date and the period. Brands trust numbers that come with a time window.

Who watches

Top countries: [US X%], [UK X%], [CA X%]
Age: [X]% are [25–34]
Gender split: [X% / X%] (only if relevant to the brand)
Who they are: [ROLE / LIFE STAGE / INTEREST — "indie developers and early-stage founders", "new moms in their first year", "home cooks who meal-prep"]
What they buy: [CATEGORIES — "dev tools, hosting, AI subscriptions, courses"]

Why my audience listens

[PROOF 1 — "My [TOPIC] series gets [N] comments per video on average"]
[PROOF 2 — "Readers reply to 1 in [N] newsletter issues"]
[PROOF 3 — a community, a course, a real result viewers got]

Past partners (or "Tools I use and recommend")

[LOGO] [LOGO] [LOGO] No paid partners yet? List products you actually use and have featured unpaid, with a header like "Tools I've featured". Don't present them as sponsors.

Results from past partnerships

[BRAND]: [DELIVERABLE] → [VIEWS], [CLICKS / CODE USES / SIGNUPS] in [X] days
[BRAND]: [DELIVERABLE] → [RESULT]
Short quote from the partner, with their permission: "[QUOTE]" — [NAME, ROLE]

Ways to work together

Package	What's included	Starting at
[Integrated segment]	60–90s mid-roll, link + code in description, pinned comment	$[RATE]
[Dedicated video]	Full video about your product, 1 round of revisions	$[RATE]
[Short-form]	1 Short / Reel / TikTok, 30–60s	$[RATE]
[Newsletter]	Primary sponsor slot, ~100 words + link	$[RATE]
[Bundle]	[3] pieces across [platforms] over [X] weeks	$[RATE]

Add-ons: usage rights, whitelisting/paid ads, exclusivity, rush delivery. Quoted per project.

Contact

[EMAIL] · [BOOKING LINK, optional] · [MAIN CHANNEL LINK] Usually replies within [24–48 hours]. Booking [MONTHS] now.

Checklist before you send it

Every number has a date or time window.
Median views, not average and not "up to".
Audience section matches what the brand sells (rewrite "Who they are" per category if needed).
"Starting at" prices, so there's room to quote higher for add-ons.
PDF under ~2 MB (attachments over that annoy people), or a link.
File name: [YourName]-MediaKit-[Month][Year].pdf.
Re-check numbers every 30 days.

Last verified: October 2026. Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

# Media kit template (one page)

A media kit has one job: let a busy marketer decide "yes, this creator reaches my buyer" in 30 seconds. One page. Real numbers. Screenshots available on request.

Want it designed? Open `media-kit.html`, click any text to edit it, then **File → Print → Save as PDF**. Below is the same content as plain text, for Notion, Google Docs or Canva.

---

## [YOUR NAME / CHANNEL NAME]
**[ONE-LINE POSITIONING: "I help [AUDIENCE] [GET RESULT] — through [FORMAT]."]**
Example: "I help first-time founders ship SaaS products with AI — through weekly build videos."

[PHOTO OR CHANNEL ART]

### Audience at a glance
| Metric | Number | Period |
|---|---|---|
| [Primary platform] followers / subscribers | [NUMBER] | as of [DATE] |
| Median views per [video/Reel/post] | [NUMBER] | last 10 posts |
| Newsletter subscribers / open rate | [NUMBER] / [X]% | last 30 days |
| Monthly views (all platforms) | [NUMBER] | last 30 days |
| Engagement rate | [X]% | (likes + comments + saves) ÷ views, last 10 posts |

> Use medians, not averages (one viral post distorts an average). Always add the date and the period. Brands trust numbers that come with a time window.

### Who watches
- **Top countries:** [US X%], [UK X%], [CA X%]
- **Age:** [X]% are [25–34]
- **Gender split:** [X% / X%] (only if relevant to the brand)
- **Who they are:** [ROLE / LIFE STAGE / INTEREST — "indie developers and early-stage founders", "new moms in their first year", "home cooks who meal-prep"]
- **What they buy:** [CATEGORIES — "dev tools, hosting, AI subscriptions, courses"]

### Why my audience listens
- [PROOF 1 — "My [TOPIC] series gets [N] comments per video on average"]
- [PROOF 2 — "Readers reply to 1 in [N] newsletter issues"]
- [PROOF 3 — a community, a course, a real result viewers got]

### Past partners (or "Tools I use and recommend")
[LOGO] [LOGO] [LOGO]
No paid partners yet? List products you actually use and have featured unpaid, with a header like "Tools I've featured". Don't present them as sponsors.

### Results from past partnerships
- **[BRAND]:** [DELIVERABLE] → [VIEWS], [CLICKS / CODE USES / SIGNUPS] in [X] days
- **[BRAND]:** [DELIVERABLE] → [RESULT]
- Short quote from the partner, with their permission: "[QUOTE]" — [NAME, ROLE]

### Ways to work together
| Package | What's included | Starting at |
|---|---|---|
| [Integrated segment] | 60–90s mid-roll, link + code in description, pinned comment | $[RATE] |
| [Dedicated video] | Full video about your product, 1 round of revisions | $[RATE] |
| [Short-form] | 1 Short / Reel / TikTok, 30–60s | $[RATE] |
| [Newsletter] | Primary sponsor slot, ~100 words + link | $[RATE] |
| [Bundle] | [3] pieces across [platforms] over [X] weeks | $[RATE] |

Add-ons: usage rights, whitelisting/paid ads, exclusivity, rush delivery. Quoted per project.

### Contact
[EMAIL] · [BOOKING LINK, optional] · [MAIN CHANNEL LINK]
Usually replies within [24–48 hours]. Booking [MONTHS] now.

---

## Checklist before you send it
- [ ] Every number has a date or time window.
- [ ] Median views, not average and not "up to".
- [ ] Audience section matches what the brand sells (rewrite "Who they are" per category if needed).
- [ ] "Starting at" prices, so there's room to quote higher for add-ons.
- [ ] PDF under ~2 MB (attachments over that annoy people), or a link.
- [ ] File name: `[YourName]-MediaKit-[Month][Year].pdf`.
- [ ] Re-check numbers every 30 days.

Last verified: October 2026. Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

Rate card template

Your rate card is the price list you send after a brand says "what are your rates?" Your media kit says who you reach; your rate card says what it costs.

How to fill it in, in 10 minutes

Open ../tools/sponsor-rate-calculator.html.
For each deliverable you offer, enter your real median views and niche. Copy the fair number.
Put the fair number in the "Starting at" column. You quote premium or fair+add-ons depending on the brief.
Fill in the add-on percentages below (the calculator's defaults are a fine starting point).
Update every 60–90 days, or when your median views move more than ~20%.

[CHANNEL NAME] — Rates, [MONTH YEAR]

Audience: [MEDIAN VIEWS] median views per [video/post] · [SUBSCRIBERS] subscribers · [X]% [TOP COUNTRY] · [AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION]

Core deliverables

Deliverable	What you get	Starting at
YouTube integration	60–90s segment in a regular video, link + code in description and pinned comment, live for the life of the video	$[RATE]
YouTube dedicated video	Full video focused on your product, script outline approval, 1 revision round	$[RATE]
YouTube Short / Reel / TikTok	30–60s vertical video, link in bio or comment for [X] days	$[RATE]
Instagram story set	3 frames, link sticker, 24h	$[RATE]
Newsletter: primary slot	Top placement, ~100 words + image + link, to [SUBSCRIBERS] subscribers	$[RATE]
Newsletter: dedicated send	Entire email about your product	$[RATE]
LinkedIn / X post	One post written in my voice, link in first comment or post	$[RATE]

Packages (most brands pick one of these)

Package	Includes	Price	Saving
Launch	1 integration + 1 Short + newsletter mention	$[RATE]	[X]% vs à la carte
Quarter	3 integrations, one per month	$[RATE]	[X]% vs à la carte
Always-on	1 integration/month for 6 months + affiliate link	$[RATE]/mo	[X]% vs à la carte

A 10–20% bundle discount is a reasonable starting point (my working convention, not a published benchmark); it trades a lower price per piece for guaranteed, repeat income. Keep the discount on the bundle, never on a single piece.

Add-ons (percent of the content fee)

Add-on	Price
Usage rights: brand reposts on its own organic channels	+[15]% per month
Whitelisting / paid ads through my handle (Spark Ads, Partnership Ads)	+[30]% for 30 days, +[50]% for 60, +[75]% for 90
Exclusivity: named competitors	+[15]% for 30 days, +[35]% for 90
Rush: live within 7 days	+[15]%
Rush: live within 72 hours	+[35]%
Extra revision round	$[X] each
Raw footage	+[X]%

Terms

1 round of revisions included. Brand provides a brief before production.
Payment: 50% on signing, 50% on publish. Or full payment net-15 from publish. Invoices unpaid after [30] days incur a late fee of [1.5]% per month (check what's allowed where you live).
Cancellation: [50]% of the fee if cancelled after production starts; 100% after the draft is delivered.
All sponsored content is clearly disclosed as an ad / paid partnership.
I only promote products I've tried and would recommend.

Contact: [EMAIL]

Notes for you (delete before sending)

Add-on percentages above match the calculator's defaults, which are based on public ranges (e.g. usage ~15% per 30 days, whitelisting +20–50% for 30 days, exclusivity +10–50%). These are estimates and conventions, not industry standards. Adjust.
"Starting at" protects you: big briefs, multiple talking points or extra shoot days cost more.
Don't publish your rate card publicly unless you want every brand to start at your lowest price.

Last verified: October 2026. Not financial or legal advice. Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

# Rate card template

Your rate card is the price list you send *after* a brand says "what are your rates?" Your media kit says *who* you reach; your rate card says *what it costs*.

**How to fill it in, in 10 minutes**

1. Open `../tools/sponsor-rate-calculator.html`.
2. For each deliverable you offer, enter your real median views and niche. Copy the **fair** number.
3. Put the fair number in the "Starting at" column. You quote premium or fair+add-ons depending on the brief.
4. Fill in the add-on percentages below (the calculator's defaults are a fine starting point).
5. Update every 60–90 days, or when your median views move more than ~20%.

---

## [CHANNEL NAME] — Rates, [MONTH YEAR]

**Audience:** [MEDIAN VIEWS] median views per [video/post] · [SUBSCRIBERS] subscribers · [X]% [TOP COUNTRY] · [AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION]

### Core deliverables

| Deliverable | What you get | Starting at |
|---|---|---|
| **YouTube integration** | 60–90s segment in a regular video, link + code in description and pinned comment, live for the life of the video | $[RATE] |
| **YouTube dedicated video** | Full video focused on your product, script outline approval, 1 revision round | $[RATE] |
| **YouTube Short / Reel / TikTok** | 30–60s vertical video, link in bio or comment for [X] days | $[RATE] |
| **Instagram story set** | 3 frames, link sticker, 24h | $[RATE] |
| **Newsletter: primary slot** | Top placement, ~100 words + image + link, to [SUBSCRIBERS] subscribers | $[RATE] |
| **Newsletter: dedicated send** | Entire email about your product | $[RATE] |
| **LinkedIn / X post** | One post written in my voice, link in first comment or post | $[RATE] |

### Packages (most brands pick one of these)

| Package | Includes | Price | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Launch** | 1 integration + 1 Short + newsletter mention | $[RATE] | [X]% vs à la carte |
| **Quarter** | 3 integrations, one per month | $[RATE] | [X]% vs à la carte |
| **Always-on** | 1 integration/month for 6 months + affiliate link | $[RATE]/mo | [X]% vs à la carte |

### Add-ons (percent of the content fee)

| Add-on | Price |
|---|---|
| Usage rights: brand reposts on its own organic channels | +[15]% per month |
| Whitelisting / paid ads through my handle (Spark Ads, Partnership Ads) | +[30]% for 30 days, +[50]% for 60, +[75]% for 90 |
| Exclusivity: named competitors | +[15]% for 30 days, +[35]% for 90 |
| Rush: live within 7 days | +[15]% |
| Rush: live within 72 hours | +[35]% |
| Extra revision round | $[X] each |
| Raw footage | +[X]% |

### Terms

- 1 round of revisions included. Brand provides a brief before production.
- **Payment:** 50% on signing, 50% on publish. Or full payment net-15 from publish. Invoices unpaid after [30] days incur a late fee of [1.5]% per month (check what's allowed where you live).
- **Cancellation:** [50]% of the fee if cancelled after production starts; 100% after the draft is delivered.
- All sponsored content is clearly disclosed as an ad / paid partnership.
- I only promote products I've tried and would recommend.

**Contact:** [EMAIL]

---

### Notes for you (delete before sending)

- Add-on percentages above match the calculator's defaults, which are based on public ranges (e.g. usage ~15% per 30 days, whitelisting +20–50% for 30 days, exclusivity +10–50%). These are estimates and conventions, not industry standards. Adjust.
- "Starting at" protects you: big briefs, multiple talking points or extra shoot days cost more.
- Don't publish your rate card publicly unless you want every brand to start at your lowest price.

Last verified: October 2026. Not financial or legal advice. Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

Contract, payment and disclosure checklist

Not legal advice. This is a checklist of things to look for and ask about, built from public guidance. Laws differ by country and change. For big deals, long exclusivity, or anything involving health, finance or kids, get a lawyer to read the contract. Last verified: October 2026.

Why this matters: late and messy payments are the norm, not the exception. In payment-platform surveys, more than half of creators report being paid late (Lumanu/Collectively and Tipalti surveys; one figure cited is "up to 87%" having had late or problematic payments). Campaign (campaignlive.com) has reported on the same problem. Most of it is avoidable with five lines in the contract.

Part 1: The contract (or "agreement", "SOW", "insertion order")

Rule zero: no work before a signed agreement. An email thread where both sides clearly agree to deliverables, price and dates is better than nothing. A signed one-page agreement is better than that.

Deliverables

Exact format: "one 60–90 second integrated segment in a YouTube video" (not "a YouTube video").
Number of pieces, platforms, and the publish window (a date range, not a single day).
What's included: link in description, pinned comment, link sticker, code, link-in-bio for X days.
How long the content stays up (e.g. "minimum 12 months" or "the life of the video"). Avoid "forever"; you may need to remove it if the brand changes or does something you disagree with.
Talking points: the brand provides them in writing before you script.
Claims: you don't say anything you can't back up. The brand is responsible for supplying substantiation for their product claims.

Approvals and revisions

What the brand approves: script outline? Draft cut? Both?
Number of revision rounds included (one is common, two at most). Extra rounds billed.
Brand feedback deadline (e.g. "within 3 business days, otherwise the draft is deemed approved"). Without this, a slow approver delays your payment.
Revisions are about accuracy and brand guidelines, not reshooting for taste.

Usage rights (who can use your content, where, and for how long)

Organic usage: the brand can repost on its own channels — for how many months?
Paid usage / whitelisting: the brand can run ads with your content or through your handle (Meta Partnership Ads, TikTok Spark Ads). Separate line, separate fee, specific dates.
Media: social only? Website? Email? TV, out-of-home, retail? Each one widens the license.
Edits: can they cut your content into new ads? Can they add claims? You want approval over anything that puts new words in your mouth.
No "in perpetuity, all media, worldwide" at your base rate. If they want it, it's a licensing fee (see ../templates/negotiation-scripts.md, script 7).
You keep ownership of your content; you grant them a license. Look for "creator grants a license" rather than "brand owns all rights / work made for hire".

Exclusivity

Scope: named competitors (better) vs. "the category" (wider, costs more).
Duration: starts and ends on specific dates (e.g. 30 days from publish).
Fee: priced separately.
Doesn't block you from mentioning products you already use, or from existing deals (list them).

Money

Total fee, currency, and whether it's before or after tax / VAT.
Payment schedule: 50% on signing + 50% on publish is the creator-friendly default. Next best: 100% net-15 or net-30 from publish (net-30 = paid within 30 days of the invoice).
Watch for net-60 / net-90 and "payment after the brand's client pays the agency." Ask for net-30 or a deposit.
Invoice trigger: you can invoice on publish (not "after campaign report" or "after the end of the quarter").
Late fee: e.g. "invoices unpaid after 30 days accrue interest at 1.5% per month" — check what's allowed where you live. In the UK, business-to-business late payments can carry statutory interest of 8% above the Bank of England base rate plus fixed compensation of £40 / £70 / £100 depending on invoice size. In the EU, the Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU) sets statutory interest of at least the ECB reference rate + 8 percentage points and a minimum €40 recovery cost. In the US it depends on the state and your contract.
Kill fee: if the brand cancels for reasons that aren't your fault. There's no legal standard; a commonly cited range is 25–50% of the fee, scaled up as work progresses. A simple version: 50% after production starts, 100% after the draft is delivered.
Expenses: products, travel, props, paid music — who pays?
Affiliate component (if any): commission %, cookie window, tracking access, payout schedule.

Protection

Termination: either side can end it; what happens to fees already earned.
Morals clause: fine if it's mutual (they can exit if you do something awful; you can exit if they do).
Indemnity: the brand covers claims about its own product; you cover claims about content you created independently. Avoid one-sided indemnities where you cover everything.
Disclosure: the contract requires clear disclosure (good sign). If it asks you to hide or soften the disclosure, walk away.
Performance guarantees: don't promise views, clicks or sales. Promise delivery of the content.
Agency deals: who pays you — the agency or the brand? Get the paying entity's legal name and billing email.

Before you hit publish

Final approval in writing (email is fine).
Links and codes tested.
Disclosure in place in every required spot (below).
Platform disclosure tool switched on.
Screenshot of the live post + date for your records.
Invoice sent the same day.

After publish

Day 7: send a short results recap (views, clicks if you have them, best comments). It's the start of your re-engage pitch.
Day 30 / due date: payment received? If not, polite reminder citing the contract clause.
Day 31+: second reminder with the late fee line. Then escalate to finance / accounts payable directly.

Payment reminder (copy-paste):

Hi [NAME], quick note — invoice #[NUMBER] for [AMOUNT] ([DELIVERABLE], published [DATE]) was due on [DUE DATE]. Could you confirm when it's scheduled for payment? Happy to resend it or send it directly to your accounts payable team if that's faster.

Part 2: Disclosure basics (US, UK, EU)

The short version for all three: if a brand paid you, gave you something free, or you earn a commission, say so — clearly, at the start, in the post itself, every time. Platform tools help but don't replace saying it.

United States — FTC

The FTC's Endorsement Guides (16 CFR Part 255, updated June 2023) require disclosure of any "material connection" (payment, free product, family/employment ties, affiliate commission).
The disclosure must be "clear and conspicuous": in the 2023 update, that means difficult to miss and easily understandable by ordinary consumers. On social media, "unavoidable."
The FTC says platform disclosure tools alone may not be enough.
In video, the FTC's "Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers" guidance says to disclose in the video itself (said out loud and shown on screen), not only in the description.
Simple, accepted wording: "Ad", "Sponsored", "Paid partnership with [Brand]", "[Brand] sent me this for free". Avoid vague tags like #sp, #collab, #thanks on their own.
Separately, the FTC's Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule (16 CFR Part 465, effective October 21, 2024) bans fake reviews and buying fake followers or views for commercial purposes; violations can bring civil penalties (over $50,000 per violation, adjusted annually for inflation).
Read it yourself: ftc.gov → "Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers".

United Kingdom — ASA and CMA

Guidance from the ASA (advertising content) and CMA (consumer law) says paid partnerships, gifts, affiliate links, discount codes and even promoting your own products must be clearly identified as advertising.
Recommended label: "Ad" or "#ad", placed up front. If you want to explain the relationship, put "Ad" first: "Ad – gifted", "Ad – affiliate".
Labels like "gifted", "PR trip" or "affiliate" on their own are not enough.
Disclose on every piece of content in the campaign; a note in your bio doesn't count.
The ASA can publicly name non-compliant influencers; the CMA has new direct fining powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
Read it yourself: asa.org.uk → "Influencers' guide to making clear that ads are ads".

European Union

The European Commission treats influencers who promote products for payment or benefit as "traders" under EU consumer law, including the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. Undisclosed advertising can be a misleading practice.
The Commission's guidance suggests clear labels such as "advertising" / "advertisement" in the language of the post or video.
A 2024 Commission sweep of influencer posts found only about 1 in 5 influencers systematically disclosed ads.
National rules add more. Examples: France's 2023 influencer law (later amended in 2024) requires clear commercial labels and bans some product categories (e.g. cosmetic surgery, certain financial products); Italy's AGCOM guidelines (2024) add obligations for large influencers (1M+ followers and other thresholds). Check your country's consumer authority.
Free official training: the European Commission's Influencer Legal Hub (commission.europa.eu/influencer-legal-hub_en).

Platform tools (switch them on, then also say it)

YouTube: tick "includes paid promotion" when uploading; YouTube shows a disclosure label at the start of the video.
Instagram / Facebook: the "Paid partnership" label (branded content tool), with the brand tagged as partner.
TikTok: the content disclosure / branded content toggle, which adds a "Paid partnership" label.
X: offers a paid partnership label for creators.
Newsletters: label the section "Sponsored by [Brand]" or "Ad" in the heading.

A disclosure that works almost everywhere

Video (first 5–10 seconds, said and on screen): "This video is sponsored by [Brand]." / "Ad: [Brand] paid me to make this."
Caption (first line, before "more"): "Ad | Paid partnership with @[brand]"
Gifted: "Ad – gifted by @[brand]. I wasn't paid, but they sent me this for free."
Affiliate: "Ad – affiliate link. I earn a commission if you buy."

Sources (checked October 2026)

FTC, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (2023 update) and "Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers" — ftc.gov. Summaries: Fenwick, Davis Wright Tremaine, Frost Brown Todd (2023).
FTC, Trade Regulation Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials, 16 CFR Part 465 (effective Oct 21, 2024). Summary: Barclay Damon.
ASA/CMA influencer guidance — asa.org.uk; summaries by RPC (Winter 2025) and Lewis Silkin (May 2025).
European Commission, Influencer Legal Hub — commission.europa.eu/influencer-legal-hub_en; 2024 sweep reported by Greenberg Traurig (April 2025).
France Act no. 2023-451 and 2024 ordinance — Kolsquare, Mondaq. Italy AGCOM guidelines (Jan 2024) — Gala Law/Mondaq.
EU Late Payment Directive 2011/7/EU; UK Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 — summaries by Xero UK, Zoho UK.
Kill fees: Revision Legal; Make Influence academy.
Late payments: Lumanu "Insights from 500 influencers on their payment experience"; Tipalti 2023 brand–creator report; Campaign (campaignlive.com).

Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

# Contract, payment and disclosure checklist

> **Not legal advice.** This is a checklist of things to look for and ask about, built from public guidance. Laws differ by country and change. For big deals, long exclusivity, or anything involving health, finance or kids, get a lawyer to read the contract. Last verified: October 2026.

---

## Part 1: The contract (or "agreement", "SOW", "insertion order")

Rule zero: **no work before a signed agreement.** An email thread where both sides clearly agree to deliverables, price and dates is better than nothing. A signed one-page agreement is better than that.

### Deliverables
- [ ] Exact format: "one 60–90 second integrated segment in a YouTube video" (not "a YouTube video").
- [ ] Number of pieces, platforms, and the **publish window** (a date range, not a single day).
- [ ] What's included: link in description, pinned comment, link sticker, code, link-in-bio for X days.
- [ ] How long the content stays up (e.g. "minimum 12 months" or "the life of the video"). Avoid "forever"; you may need to remove it if the brand changes or does something you disagree with.
- [ ] Talking points: the brand provides them in writing *before* you script.
- [ ] Claims: you don't say anything you can't back up. The brand is responsible for supplying substantiation for their product claims.

### Approvals and revisions
- [ ] What the brand approves: script outline? Draft cut? Both?
- [ ] **Number of revision rounds included** (one is common, two at most). Extra rounds billed.
- [ ] Brand feedback deadline (e.g. "within 3 business days, otherwise the draft is deemed approved"). Without this, a slow approver delays your payment.
- [ ] Revisions are about accuracy and brand guidelines, not reshooting for taste.

### Usage rights (who can use your content, where, and for how long)
- [ ] **Organic usage:** the brand can repost on its own channels — for how many months?
- [ ] **Paid usage / whitelisting:** the brand can run ads with your content or through your handle (Meta Partnership Ads, TikTok Spark Ads). Separate line, separate fee, specific dates.
- [ ] **Media:** social only? Website? Email? TV, out-of-home, retail? Each one widens the license.
- [ ] **Edits:** can they cut your content into new ads? Can they add claims? You want approval over anything that puts new words in your mouth.
- [ ] **No "in perpetuity, all media, worldwide"** at your base rate. If they want it, it's a licensing fee (see `../templates/negotiation-scripts.md`, script 7).
- [ ] You keep ownership of your content; you grant them a license. Look for "creator grants a license" rather than "brand owns all rights / work made for hire".

### Exclusivity
- [ ] **Scope:** named competitors (better) vs. "the category" (wider, costs more).
- [ ] **Duration:** starts and ends on specific dates (e.g. 30 days from publish).
- [ ] **Fee:** priced separately.
- [ ] Doesn't block you from mentioning products you already use, or from existing deals (list them).

### Money
- [ ] **Total fee**, currency, and whether it's before or after tax / VAT.
- [ ] **Payment schedule:** 50% on signing + 50% on publish is the creator-friendly default. Next best: 100% net-15 or net-30 from publish (net-30 = paid within 30 days of the invoice).
- [ ] **Watch for net-60 / net-90** and "payment after the brand's client pays the agency." Ask for net-30 or a deposit.
- [ ] **Invoice trigger:** you can invoice on publish (not "after campaign report" or "after the end of the quarter").
- [ ] **Late fee:** e.g. "invoices unpaid after 30 days accrue interest at 1.5% per month" — check what's allowed where you live. In the UK, business-to-business late payments can carry statutory interest of 8% above the Bank of England base rate plus fixed compensation of £40 / £70 / £100 depending on invoice size. In the EU, the Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU) sets statutory interest of at least the ECB reference rate + 8 percentage points and a minimum €40 recovery cost. In the US it depends on the state and your contract.
- [ ] **Kill fee:** if the brand cancels for reasons that aren't your fault. There's no legal standard; a commonly cited range is 25–50% of the fee, scaled up as work progresses. A simple version: 50% after production starts, 100% after the draft is delivered.
- [ ] **Expenses:** products, travel, props, paid music — who pays?
- [ ] **Affiliate component (if any):** commission %, cookie window, tracking access, payout schedule.

### Protection
- [ ] **Termination:** either side can end it; what happens to fees already earned.
- [ ] **Morals clause:** fine if it's mutual (they can exit if you do something awful; you can exit if they do).
- [ ] **Indemnity:** the brand covers claims about its own product; you cover claims about content you created independently. Avoid one-sided indemnities where you cover everything.
- [ ] **Disclosure:** the contract requires clear disclosure (good sign). If it asks you to hide or soften the disclosure, walk away.
- [ ] **Performance guarantees:** don't promise views, clicks or sales. Promise delivery of the content.
- [ ] **Agency deals:** who pays you — the agency or the brand? Get the paying entity's legal name and billing email.

### Before you hit publish
- [ ] Final approval in writing (email is fine).
- [ ] Links and codes tested.
- [ ] Disclosure in place in every required spot (below).
- [ ] Platform disclosure tool switched on.
- [ ] Screenshot of the live post + date for your records.
- [ ] Invoice sent the same day.

### After publish
- [ ] Day 7: send a short results recap (views, clicks if you have them, best comments). It's the start of your re-engage pitch.
- [ ] Day 30 / due date: payment received? If not, polite reminder citing the contract clause.
- [ ] Day 31+: second reminder with the late fee line. Then escalate to finance / accounts payable directly.

**Payment reminder (copy-paste):**
```
Hi [NAME], quick note — invoice #[NUMBER] for [AMOUNT] ([DELIVERABLE], published [DATE]) was due on [DUE DATE]. Could you confirm when it's scheduled for payment? Happy to resend it or send it directly to your accounts payable team if that's faster.
```

---

## Part 2: Disclosure basics (US, UK, EU)

The short version for all three: **if a brand paid you, gave you something free, or you earn a commission, say so — clearly, at the start, in the post itself, every time.** Platform tools help but don't replace saying it.

### United States — FTC
- The FTC's **Endorsement Guides** (16 CFR Part 255, updated June 2023) require disclosure of any "material connection" (payment, free product, family/employment ties, affiliate commission).
- The disclosure must be **"clear and conspicuous"**: in the 2023 update, that means difficult to miss and easily understandable by ordinary consumers. On social media, "unavoidable."
- The FTC says **platform disclosure tools alone may not be enough.**
- In video, the FTC's "Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers" guidance says to disclose in the video itself (said out loud and shown on screen), not only in the description.
- Simple, accepted wording: "Ad", "Sponsored", "Paid partnership with [Brand]", "[Brand] sent me this for free". Avoid vague tags like #sp, #collab, #thanks on their own.
- Separately, the FTC's **Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule** (16 CFR Part 465, effective October 21, 2024) bans fake reviews and buying fake followers or views for commercial purposes; violations can bring civil penalties (over $50,000 per violation, adjusted annually for inflation).
- Read it yourself: ftc.gov → "Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers".

### United Kingdom — ASA and CMA
- Guidance from the **ASA** (advertising content) and **CMA** (consumer law) says paid partnerships, gifts, affiliate links, discount codes and even promoting your own products must be clearly identified as advertising.
- Recommended label: **"Ad" or "#ad"**, placed up front. If you want to explain the relationship, put "Ad" first: "Ad – gifted", "Ad – affiliate".
- Labels like "gifted", "PR trip" or "affiliate" **on their own are not enough.**
- Disclose on **every** piece of content in the campaign; a note in your bio doesn't count.
- The ASA can publicly name non-compliant influencers; the CMA has new direct fining powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
- Read it yourself: asa.org.uk → "Influencers' guide to making clear that ads are ads".

### European Union
- The European Commission treats influencers who promote products for payment or benefit as **"traders"** under EU consumer law, including the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. Undisclosed advertising can be a misleading practice.
- The Commission's guidance suggests clear labels such as "advertising" / "advertisement" in the language of the post or video.
- A 2024 Commission sweep of influencer posts found only about 1 in 5 influencers systematically disclosed ads.
- **National rules add more.** Examples: France's 2023 influencer law (later amended in 2024) requires clear commercial labels and bans some product categories (e.g. cosmetic surgery, certain financial products); Italy's AGCOM guidelines (2024) add obligations for large influencers (1M+ followers and other thresholds). Check your country's consumer authority.
- Free official training: the European Commission's **Influencer Legal Hub** (commission.europa.eu/influencer-legal-hub_en).

### Platform tools (switch them on, then also say it)
- **YouTube:** tick "includes paid promotion" when uploading; YouTube shows a disclosure label at the start of the video.
- **Instagram / Facebook:** the "Paid partnership" label (branded content tool), with the brand tagged as partner.
- **TikTok:** the content disclosure / branded content toggle, which adds a "Paid partnership" label.
- **X:** offers a paid partnership label for creators.
- **Newsletters:** label the section "Sponsored by [Brand]" or "Ad" in the heading.

### A disclosure that works almost everywhere
- **Video (first 5–10 seconds, said and on screen):** "This video is sponsored by [Brand]." / "Ad: [Brand] paid me to make this."
- **Caption (first line, before "more"):** "Ad | Paid partnership with @[brand]"
- **Gifted:** "Ad – gifted by @[brand]. I wasn't paid, but they sent me this for free."
- **Affiliate:** "Ad – affiliate link. I earn a commission if you buy."

---

## Sources (checked October 2026)

- FTC, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (2023 update) and "Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers" — ftc.gov. Summaries: Fenwick, Davis Wright Tremaine, Frost Brown Todd (2023).
- FTC, Trade Regulation Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials, 16 CFR Part 465 (effective Oct 21, 2024). Summary: Barclay Damon.
- ASA/CMA influencer guidance — asa.org.uk; summaries by RPC (Winter 2025) and Lewis Silkin (May 2025).
- European Commission, Influencer Legal Hub — commission.europa.eu/influencer-legal-hub_en; 2024 sweep reported by Greenberg Traurig (April 2025).
- France Act no. 2023-451 and 2024 ordinance — Kolsquare, Mondaq. Italy AGCOM guidelines (Jan 2024) — Gala Law/Mondaq.
- EU Late Payment Directive 2011/7/EU; UK Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 — summaries by Xero UK, Zoho UK.
- Kill fees: Revision Legal; Make Influence academy.
- Late payments: Lumanu "Insights from 500 influencers on their payment experience"; Tipalti 2023 brand–creator report; Campaign (campaignlive.com).

Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

4 AI prompts for sponsor outreach

Paste into Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini. Fill the [BRACKETS]. Each prompt tells the AI not to invent numbers, because a made-up stat in a pitch is the fastest way to lose a brand's trust.

Prompt 1 — Personalize a pitch in 60 seconds

You are helping me write a short sponsorship pitch email to a brand.

ABOUT ME
- Platform(s): [PLATFORM]
- Topic / niche: [NICHE]
- Audience: [WHO THEY ARE, TOP COUNTRY %, AGE RANGE]
- Median views per post (last 10): [NUMBER]
- One proof my audience trusts me: [E.G. "180 comments per video asking about tools"]
- How I've used their product: [HOW LONG / WHAT FOR — or "haven't used it yet"]

ABOUT THE BRAND
- Brand + product: [BRAND, PRODUCT]
- Evidence they sponsor creators: [LINK OR DESCRIPTION OF A SPONSORED POST]
- Who their ads target (from their Meta Ad Library / TikTok ads): [DESCRIPTION]
- Contact: [NAME, ROLE]

TASK
Write 3 versions of a cold pitch email, each under 120 words:
1. Leads with their buyer and my audience overlap.
2. Leads with a specific content idea (title + how the product appears).
3. Leads with the creator they already sponsored ("I saw your collab with ...").

Rules:
- Use ONLY the numbers I gave you. Never invent stats, results or past partners. If something is missing, write [MISSING: ...].
- One ask at the end, a yes/no question.
- Plain, confident, friendly. No hype words ("amazing", "game-changer", "synergy").
- Give 3 subject lines per version, under 7 words, sentence case.

Prompt 2 — Turn my analytics into a media kit

I'll paste my analytics below. Turn them into a one-page media kit using this structure:
1. One-line positioning: "I help [AUDIENCE] [RESULT] through [FORMAT]."
2. Audience at a glance: 4 numbers with time windows.
3. Who watches: countries, age, and a 3-bullet description of who they are and what they buy.
4. Why they listen: 3 proofs drawn only from the data.
5. Ways to work together: [MY DELIVERABLES AND STARTING PRICES].
6. Contact line.

Rules:
- Use medians where I give them. Label every number with its period.
- Do not invent any number, brand or result. Mark gaps as [ADD: ...].
- Under 300 words total.

MY ANALYTICS:
[PASTE: subscriber/follower count, last 10 post views, top countries, age split, engagement, newsletter stats, any past sponsor results]

Prompt 3 — Reply to a lowball offer

A brand sent me this message:
"""
[PASTE THEIR EMAIL]
"""

My numbers from the Sponsor Rate Calculator:
- Low (walk-away): $[LOW]
- Fair: $[FAIR]
- Premium: $[PREMIUM]
- Counteroffer to send: $[COUNTER]
- Deliverable they want: [DELIVERABLE]
- Usage / whitelisting / exclusivity they asked for: [DETAILS]

Write a reply that:
1. Thanks them and shows I want the deal.
2. Counters at $[COUNTER], with a one-line reason based on my views and price per 1,000 views.
3. Offers a smaller-scope option at no less than $[LOW] if budget is fixed (trade scope, never discount the same scope).
4. Proposes payment terms: 50% on signing, 50% on publish.
5. Ends with one clear question.
Under 150 words. Warm, direct, no apologizing.

Prompt 4 — Review a sponsorship contract (red-flag scan)

You are not my lawyer and this is not legal advice. Act as a careful reviewer who flags clauses a small creator should ask about.

Read the contract below and produce a table with: Clause | What it says in plain English | Risk (low/medium/high) | Question to ask the brand | Suggested wording.

Check specifically:
- Deliverables, deadlines, how long content must stay live
- Revision rounds and approval deadlines
- Usage rights: duration, channels, paid ads, editing my content, perpetuity
- Exclusivity: scope and duration
- Payment amount, schedule, net terms, invoice trigger, late fees
- Kill fee / cancellation
- Ownership vs license
- Indemnity and liability (is it one-sided?)
- Morals clause (is it mutual?)
- Disclosure requirements
- Any performance guarantees (views, sales)

Then list the 3 changes I should ask for first.

CONTRACT:
"""
[PASTE CONTRACT TEXT]
"""

Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

# 4 AI prompts for sponsor outreach

Paste into Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini. Fill the [BRACKETS]. Each prompt tells the AI not to invent numbers, because a made-up stat in a pitch is the fastest way to lose a brand's trust.

---

## Prompt 1 — Personalize a pitch in 60 seconds

```
You are helping me write a short sponsorship pitch email to a brand.

---

## Prompt 2 — Turn my analytics into a media kit

Rules:
- Use medians where I give them. Label every number with its period.
- Do not invent any number, brand or result. Mark gaps as [ADD: ...].
- Under 300 words total.

MY ANALYTICS:
[PASTE: subscriber/follower count, last 10 post views, top countries, age split, engagement, newsletter stats, any past sponsor results]
```

---

## Prompt 3 — Reply to a lowball offer

```
A brand sent me this message:
"""
[PASTE THEIR EMAIL]
"""

---

## Prompt 4 — Review a sponsorship contract (red-flag scan)

```
You are not my lawyer and this is not legal advice. Act as a careful reviewer who flags clauses a small creator should ask about.

Read the contract below and produce a table with: Clause | What it says in plain English | Risk (low/medium/high) | Question to ask the brand | Suggested wording.

Then list the 3 changes I should ask for first.

CONTRACT:
"""
[PASTE CONTRACT TEXT]
"""
```

Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped

From zero to your first sponsor deal

About 60–90 minutes a day for a week. Your progress is saved on this device.

Know your number
Median views of your last 10 posts (newsletter: subscribers + open rate). Run the calculator for every deliverable you'd offer. Write down Low, Fair and the counteroffer.List 10 neighbor creators
Creators in your niche who are 1–5× your size, not 100×. Whoever paid them is likely to pay you.Run the sponsor finder twice
Import the tracker into Google Sheets. Log every brand with a proof link. Target: 30 brands.Score and find a person
Fit score 1–5, keep the 4s and 5s. Find a named contact for each on LinkedIn, their website or Hunter — not the info@ inbox.Fill your media kit and rate card
Real numbers, each with a date. Fair prices as “starting at”. Ask one friend in your niche if they'd sponsor you based on that page.Send your first 10 pitches
Email 1, 2 or 6 to your top-scored brands. Draft with Prompt 1, rewrite in your voice, check every number. Log the follow-up date.Send 5–10 more and follow up
DM brands with no email to ask for the right contact. Send Follow-up #1 after 3–4 business days of silence — add something new.When a brand replies
Send media kit + rate card, wait for the brief, counter with your calculator number. Run the contract checklist and ask for 50% upfront.

The 10-minute sponsor finder

The best sponsor is a brand that already pays creators like you. They have a budget, a process, and a person whose job is to say yes. You're not convincing them that creator marketing works. You're convincing them you're the next good creator.

Set a timer for 10 minutes. Open templates/sponsor-tracker.csv in Google Sheets. Every brand you find goes in a row with a proof link (the sponsored post). Goal: 15 brands in 10 minutes. 50 by the end of the week.

Step 0 (1 minute): list your "neighbors"

Write down 10 creators in your niche who are 1–5× your size (not 100×; big creators get big-brand deals you can't get yet). Use the search bar on your platform, the "related channels" on YouTube, or the people your audience also follows. Social Blade (free) shows their size if you need it.

These 10 creators are your sponsor map. Whoever paid them is likely to pay you.

Step 1 (3 minutes): mine their sponsors

YouTube — open each neighbor's last 10–20 videos and scan the description and the first minutes. Then search YouTube and Google directly:

"sponsored by" [your niche]
"use code" [your niche]
"thanks to [sponsor]" [your niche]
"link in description" "[niche keyword]" discount

Google indexes YouTube descriptions, so these also work:

site:youtube.com "sponsored by" "[niche keyword]"
site:youtube.com "use code" "[niche keyword]"
site:youtube.com "this video is sponsored by" [niche keyword]

Tip: YouTube flags sponsored videos with an "includes paid promotion" label at the start of the video. When you see it, check the description for the brand.

Instagram and TikTok

Open each neighbor's profile and look for the "Paid partnership with [brand]" label under their name on posts and Reels.
On Instagram, search your niche keyword and scan Reels for the "Paid partnership" label.
On TikTok, search #ad [niche keyword] and [niche keyword] sponsored, and look for the "Paid partnership" label on videos.
Google:

site:instagram.com "#ad" "[niche keyword]"
site:instagram.com "paid partnership" "[niche keyword]"
site:tiktok.com "#ad" "[niche keyword]"

"#ad" [niche keyword] min_faves:20
"sponsored by" [niche keyword]
"partnered with" [niche keyword]

LinkedIn — search posts for "in partnership with" [niche], #sponsored [niche], "thanks to [brand] for sponsoring". B2B brands that sponsor LinkedIn creators often sponsor newsletters and podcasts too.

Newsletters — open the last 5 issues of 10 newsletters in your niche. The sponsor is almost always at the top ("Presented by", "Sponsored by", "Together with"). Google:

site:beehiiv.com "sponsored by" "[niche keyword]"
site:substack.com "sponsored by" "[niche keyword]"
"together with" "[niche keyword]" newsletter

Step 2 (3 minutes): use the free ad databases

These show you which brands are spending money on ads right now — and who they're targeting.

Meta Ad Library — facebook.com/ads/library. Choose your country and "All ads", type a niche keyword (e.g. "meal prep", "budget app", "AI writing"). You'll see every active Facebook/Instagram ad containing it. Ads that look like creator content and show "[creator] with [brand]" are Partnership Ads: that brand pays creators. Meta also added a branded content search to the Ad Library for posts with the "Paid partnership" label; at launch its date range was limited, so results may vary.
TikTok Creative Center — ads.tiktok.com/business/creativecenter. Free. Go to Inspiration → Top Ads, filter by your region and industry, and look for ads shot by creators. Logging in unlocks more of the database.
What to write down: brand name, the type of person in the ad, the words the ad uses. That's your "their buyer" line for the pitch.

Rule of thumb: a brand that runs creator-style ads on Meta or TikTok has both a budget and a reason to buy usage rights and whitelisting from you. Price those add-ons.

Step 3 (2 minutes): check the creator marketplaces and sponsor directories

Newsletter marketplaces: Paved (claims 3,000+ newsletters), beehiiv's Ad Network (beehiiv acquired Swapstack), Passionfroot (a storefront where brands book your slots; free plan takes a fee per invoice). Listing yourself costs nothing on most of them and brands come to you.
Sponsor directories: SponsorGap (brands post open sponsorships; you can track which brands sponsor which newsletters) and Who Sponsors Stuff (tracks sponsors across 250+ newsletters, with a paid Pro tier for contacts).
Platform marketplaces: TikTok One (formerly TikTok Creator Marketplace), Instagram's creator marketplace, and YouTube's brand-partnership program (BrandConnect, reported renamed to Creator Partnerships in 2026). Eligibility depends on country, age and follower thresholds and changes often — check inside each app. Sign up anyway: it's a free inbound channel.

Step 4 (1 minute): score each brand

In the tracker, give each brand a fit score from 1 to 5:

+1 They sponsored at least one creator in your niche in the last 90 days
+1 They sponsored a creator your size or smaller
+1 You use or would honestly use the product
+1 Their buyer matches your audience (country, age, role)
+1 They're running ads right now (Meta Ad Library / TikTok Top Ads)

Pitch 4s and 5s first. Skip 1s.

Finding the right person (not the info@ inbox)

LinkedIn: search [brand] influencer, [brand] creator partnerships, [brand] partnerships manager, [brand] affiliate. At small companies: head of growth, head of marketing, or the founder.
Their website: look for /creators, /ambassadors, /affiliates, /partners, /press. Google: "[brand]" "creator program" OR "ambassador program" OR "affiliate program".
Email finders: Hunter's free plan includes 50 credits a month (as of 2026). Most companies use a pattern like first@company.com; Hunter shows you which.
Ask the creator they sponsored. A short, friendly DM to a creator 1–2× your size: "Loved your [brand] video — would you mind sharing who you worked with there? Happy to return the favor." Many will help.
Agency involved? If the sponsored post tags an agency, pitch the agency. They run campaigns for multiple brands.

The tracking sheet

templates/sponsor-tracker.csv has these columns, grouped:

Discovery: Brand, Website, Category, Where I found them, Proof they pay creators (link), Creator they sponsored, That creator's size, Their target buyer, My bridge, Fit score
Contact: Contact name, Role, Email, Contact source, Channel (email/DM/form)
Outreach: Pitch template used, Date pitched, Follow-up 1 date, Follow-up 2 date, Status
Deal: Their offer, My counter, Agreed rate, Deliverable, Usage rights, Exclusivity, Payment terms
Money: Invoice sent, Paid date
Next: Next touch date, Notes

Suggested statuses: To research → Qualified → Pitched → Follow-up 1 → Follow-up 2 → Replied → Negotiating → Signed → Published → Invoiced → Paid → Re-engage (date).

Two rows of example data are included so you see how to fill it. Delete them.

Bonuses

Because one kit should feel like ten.

$150BONUS #1

10 negotiation scripts

“We only do gifting.” “Your rate is too high.” “Exposure?” The exact reply to each — trade scope, never discount the same scope.

See it ↓

$200BONUS #2

Contract, payment & disclosure checklist

43 checks before you sign: usage rights, kill fee, net terms, late fees. Disclosure basics for the US, UK and EU, plus a copy-paste payment reminder.

See it ↓

$29BONUS #3

Lowball reply + contract red-flag prompts

Paste the brand's email or contract. Get a counteroffer built on your numbers, or a table of risky clauses and what to ask for.

See it ↓

8 more kitsBONUS #4

The Shipyard vault

Every other free kit I've made: the Money-Back Kit, Claude OS, First 100 Customers, Viral Script System and more.

Open the vault ↓

THE SHIPYARD VAULT

8 more free kits

Every kit I've made, free. Same quality, different problems.

MONEY · worth $444The Money-Back Agent CLAUDE · worth $1,650Claude OS PAID · worth $696The Freelancer Money Kit FIRST · worth $1,650The First 100 Customers Machine HUMAN · worth $2,099Stop Sounding Like AI SHIP · worth $894The AI Radar Kit VIRAL · worth $644The Viral Script System STRIPE · worth $1,500The Stripe Survival Kit

The full playbook

The deep dives, when you want them.

Why you're undercharging (and the formula that fixes it)read

Brands don't buy followers. They buy attention from a specific buyer, and they compare every creator to every other ad they could run. The common unit is CPM: cost per 1,000 views (or opens, or impressions).

Content fee = (median views ÷ 1,000) × CPM × deliverable factor
Total fee   = content fee + add-ons (usage rights, paid ads, exclusivity, rush)

That's the whole system. Every negotiation is an argument about one of those inputs.

The CPM ranges (estimates, with sources)

There is no official price list for creator sponsorships. These are public ranges published by agencies, creator tools and media sellers, rounded. Use them as a starting point, then replace them with your own deal history as soon as you have some.

Platform	Typical sponsor CPM (per 1,000)	Source
YouTube long-form integration (60–90s)	~$20–$50 per 1,000 views; dedicated video ~2.5–3× an integration; Shorts ~0.3–0.5×	Social Video Plaza YouTube sponsorship guide; Descript ("$30–$70, $50 a good point to push for")
YouTube, by channel size	~$50–$100 at 5k–15k views; $30–$50 at 15k–50k; ~$25 at 50k–250k; $10–$15 at 250k–750k	Adopter Media (a sponsorship agency)
Instagram Reels	~$15–$35 per 1,000 views	iqfluence.io, influencerfee.com CPM explainers (2026)
TikTok	~$15–$40 integrated, ~$25–$60 dedicated	Same as above
Newsletter	~$20–$100+ per 1,000 opens; median ~$32 per 1,000 subscribers; SaaS/AI ~$92, finance ~$85, marketing ~$48, lifestyle ~$22 per 1,000 subscribers	Dupple (sells newsletter ads)
LinkedIn	~$10–$20 general, $20–$40 marketing/HR, $40–$60 finance, $60–$120 tech/AI/SaaS; most sponsored B2B posts $200–$2,000	Favikon B2B pricing guide 2026; ContentGrip 2026
X	No reliable public benchmark found. Treat any number as a guess and use your own deal history.	—

Three things these numbers tell you:

Small audiences get a higher CPM, not a lower one. A focused 10k-view channel is often priced at a higher rate per view than a 500k-view channel. Brands pay for fit and trust. Don't apologize for your size; price it.
Niche moves the price more than size. Finance, B2B software and AI audiences can be worth several times more per view than entertainment or gaming. On YouTube ads, finance CPMs are commonly reported around $15–$45 vs. gaming around $3–$6 (vidIQ, OutlierKit niche data). Sponsors follow similar logic.
Everything beyond "post it on my channel" is extra. Usage rights, paid ads, exclusivity and rush delivery are separate products. Many creators give them away because nobody told them they had a price.

The add-ons most creators give away for free

Add-on	What it means	Public ranges (estimates)
Usage rights	The brand reposts your content on its own channels	~15% of your fee per 30 days (Justin Moore / Creator Wizard via Lumanu)
Whitelisting / paid ads	The brand runs ads through your handle (Meta Partnership Ads, TikTok Spark Ads) or with your content	+20–50% for 30 days; a 90-day exclusive whitelist can run 2–3× the post fee (TopGrowth Marketing, Elev8or). In one Lumanu/Collectively survey, 51% of influencers said they charge extra for it.
Exclusivity	You turn down competitors for a period	~+10% (Creator Wizard) up to +25–50% for broad or long lock-outs
Rush	Live in days, not weeks	No published benchmark; the calculator uses +15% (7 days) and +35% (72 hours) as a working convention

Your floor: never work below cost

Under ~10k views, the CPM math can produce a number like $90. If a sponsored video takes you 5 hours to script, film, edit and revise, $90 is $18/hour. The calculator has a production floor (hours × your hourly rate). If your audience-based price falls below it, the floor wins. Then you grow the deal with bundles and add-ons, not by working for less.

The counteroffer rule

The calculator's counteroffer sits halfway between fair and premium. Brands almost always counter. If they meet you in the middle, you land at or above fair. If you open at fair and they meet you in the middle, you land below it.

Worked example. A YouTube creator in consumer tech with 12,000 median views (the calculator's first sample):

Fair CPM: $30 base × 1.3 niche = $39. Small-channel factor ×1.5 → ~$58 effective CPM.
Content fee: 12 × $58 ≈ $700 (fair). Low ≈ $470. Premium ≈ $1,050.
Brand offered $500. Counteroffer: $875.
If they add 30 days of whitelisting: +30% → fair ~$925. That's an extra ~$225 for a clause most creators sign without reading.

The pitchread

Full templates: templates/pitch-emails.md. Here's the logic behind them, so you can write your own.

The 3-line test

Every pitch must answer three questions in the first three lines, or it gets archived:

Who do you reach? Not "my audience". "Solo developers shipping their first SaaS, 60% US."
How many, really? "14,200 median views over my last 10 videos."
Why us? "I've used your product for 8 months, and my audience asks what tool I use for X every week."

Then one concrete idea and one yes/no question. Under 150 words.

The six emails (pick the one that matches the situation)

Situation	Template	The move
They've never heard of you	Email 1 — Cold	Lead with their buyer, show the overlap, offer one idea
You've interacted, used their product publicly, or met	Email 2 — Warm	Proof you already moved their numbers for free
No reply after 3–4 business days	Email 3 — Follow-up #1	Add something new: a fresh number, a concept, an open slot
No reply after another 7 days	Email 4 — Follow-up #2 (breakup)	Make "no" or "later" easy to say
They sponsored you before	Email 5 — Re-engage	Results recap + two options (repeat or package)
They sponsored someone like you	Email 6 — "I noticed you sponsored X"	Same play, similar audience, different angle

DM versions of all six are in the same file. Use DMs to get the right email address, not to close a deal. The person reading brand DMs is usually a social media manager, not the person with the budget.

Send volume that works

10 personalized pitches beat 100 copy-pasted ones. Spend 3 minutes per brand on the "their buyer / proof / bridge" lines in the tracker.
Expect most pitches to get no reply. That's normal for cold outreach and says nothing about your worth. The follow-ups often produce more replies than the first email.
Send Tuesday to Thursday, morning in the brand's time zone. Mondays are full inboxes; Fridays get pushed to Monday. (This is a working habit, not a law.)

What to do when they reply "send your rates"

Don't paste a price into the email body. Send:

Your media kit (one page: who you reach, numbers with dates, proof).
Your rate card with "starting at" prices.
One line: "For your goals I'd suggest [package] — happy to tailor it once I see the brief."

Then wait for their brief before quoting a final number. The brief tells you which add-ons to price.

Media kit and rate cardread

Media kit (`templates/media-kit.html`)

Double-click it. Click any text and type over it. Click the square to add your photo. Hit Save as PDF and print to PDF. It fits on one A4/Letter page. Your edits are saved in your browser automatically. A light version is the default because it prints cleanly; a dark version is one click away.

What goes on it, in order:

One-line positioning: "I help [audience] [result] through [format]."
Four numbers with a date: median views, followers/subscribers, newsletter subs + open rate, engagement rate. Medians, last 10 posts.
Who watches: top countries, age, and three bullets on who they are and what they buy.
Why they listen: three proofs (comments per video, replies, a real outcome).
Partners and results: only brands that actually paid you. No paid partners yet? Rename it "Tools I've featured".
Ways to work together: packages with "starting at" prices.
Contact: email, reply time, booking window.

The plain-text version (templates/media-kit.md) works for Notion, Google Docs or Canva.

Rate card (`templates/rate-card.md`)

Fill the "starting at" column with the calculator's fair number for each deliverable. Add three packages (launch, quarter, always-on). Keep add-ons as percentages. Update every 60–90 days or when your median views move by ~20%.

Don't publish your rate card on your website unless you want every brand to start at your lowest price.

Negotiationread

Full scripts: templates/negotiation-scripts.md. Ten pushbacks, word for word:

"We don't have budget for this."
"We only do gifting."
"Can you do it for exposure?"
"Your rate is too high."
"Other creators your size charge less."
"Commission / affiliate only."
"We need usage rights in perpetuity."
"We need 6 months of exclusivity."
"Can you post it this week?"
"We need unlimited revisions."

The three principles behind all ten:

Trade, don't discount. When the price goes down, the scope goes down with it. Fewer deliverables, shorter usage, no exclusivity, longer turnaround. Same scope for less money teaches the brand your first number was fake.
Turn price into CPM. "That's about $58 per 1,000 views, in the normal range for tech creators" moves the conversation from "is this expensive?" to "is this a normal rate?"
Know your walk-away number before you reply. That's the calculator's Low. Below it, you offer a smaller deliverable or a polite no.

Contract, payment and disclosureread

Full checklist: checklists/contract-and-payment-checklist.md (not legal advice).

The five lines that prevent most problems

Deliverables in detail: format, length, platform, publish window, how long it stays live.
Revision rounds: one or two included, plus a feedback deadline ("approved if no feedback within 3 business days").
Usage rights: organic vs paid, which channels, how many months. No "perpetuity, all media" at your base rate.
Payment: 50% on signing + 50% on publish, or net-15/net-30 from publish. Invoice on publish. A late fee clause.
Kill fee: if they cancel after you've started. There's no legal standard; 25–50% is a commonly cited range, rising as work progresses.

Why it matters: in payment-platform surveys (Lumanu/Collectively, Tipalti), more than half of creators report being paid late, and net-60 to net-90 terms are a common complaint.

Disclosure in one paragraph

If a brand paid you, gave you something for free, or you earn a commission, say so clearly, up front, in the post itself, every time. In the US, the FTC's Endorsement Guides (updated 2023) require disclosure that is "clear and conspicuous" — hard to miss — and the FTC says platform tools alone may not be enough; in video, say it and show it on screen. In the UK, the ASA and CMA recommend "Ad" or "#ad" up front; "gifted" or "affiliate" alone isn't enough. In the EU, the European Commission treats influencers who advertise as "traders" under consumer law and suggests labels like "advertising"; some countries (e.g. France, Italy) add their own rules. Then also switch on the platform's paid partnership tool. Details and sources in the checklist.

Going furtherread

Build a "proof loop." After every sponsored post, send the brand a 3-line recap on day 7 (views, clicks or code uses if you have them, best comments). Save every recap. In 3 deals you have a results section for your media kit; in 5 you have leverage.

Turn one-offs into retainers. The re-engage email offers a 3-month package. Repeat exposure is usually when audiences act, and recurring income is what makes sponsorship a business instead of a lottery.

Price per-platform bundles. A YouTube integration + a Short cut from it + a newsletter mention is three placements from one shoot. Price it at ~10–20% below the sum, still well above one piece.

Ask for affiliate on top. A flat fee plus a tracked commission aligns you with the brand and pays you when content keeps converting months later.

Track your own CPM. After 5 deals, divide each fee by (views ÷ 1,000). That's your real market rate. Put it in the calculator's "Your own CPM" field and stop relying on benchmarks.

Raise prices on a schedule. Every 60–90 days, re-run the calculator with your new median. My rule of thumb: if almost every brand you quote says yes without pushing back, you're too cheap.

Get paid faster. Ask for 50% upfront on every first deal. Brands with healthy creator programs say yes more often than you'd expect; the ones that refuse tell you something.

Limits (read this)read

Every rate here is an estimate. Public benchmarks come from agencies, tools and ad sellers, each with their own bias and audience. Real deals vary a lot by country, audience quality, season (Q4 budgets are usually bigger), and how much a brand wants you. The calculator gives you a defensible starting point, not a guarantee.
The X preset is a guess. I couldn't find a reliable public benchmark for sponsored X posts. Use your own numbers.
Some multipliers are my conventions, not published standards: the rush fee, the story-set factor, the niche factors, and how usage rights taper over 12 months. They're labeled in the calculator.
This won't make a brand say yes. Fit, timing and budget cycles matter. Most cold pitches get no reply — that's the math of outreach, not a verdict on you.
Search operators and tools change. Meta, TikTok and YouTube update their libraries and labels regularly. If a filter is gone, the principle (find proof they already pay creators) still works.
Not legal, tax or financial advice. Disclosure rules and contract law differ by country. For big contracts, get a lawyer.
Benchmarks are in USD. If you work in EUR or GBP, treat them as a rough guide, not a conversion.

Read the whole guide as one page →

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