The 5 Biggest Mistakes Creators Make When Negotiating with Brands
If you’ve ever opened an email from a brand and felt equal parts excited and wildly underqualified, this post is for you.
I’ve been working with brands for over a decade, and I still remember the first time I got pitched for a “sponsorship.” I was nervous. I didn’t want to come off as greedy. I didn’t even know what to ask for. So I said yes to what they offered, crossed my fingers, and hoped it would all just… work out.
Looking back? I left money, control, and credibility on the table.
Negotiating with brands is one of the most important skills you can develop as a creator. It’s also one of the most uncomfortable — because no one really teaches you how to do it well. You’re expected to just know how to talk money, ask for usage rights, or advocate for your own value when most of us are just trying to figure out how to stop our hands from shaking when we record a story.
So today, I want to break it down by talking real mistakes creators make when negotiating with brands — and how to fix them.
Mistake #1: Taking the First Offer Without Asking Questions
Let me say this as clearly as I can: a brand’s first offer is rarely their best offer.
Most creators see a flat rate and think, “Wow, they want to pay me? I better not mess this up.” But here’s the thing — if a brand is in your inbox, it’s because they already see value in your content. You’re not lucky to be there. You’re worthy of being paid fairly for the work you’re about to do.
Before you say yes to anything, slow down. Ask questions. Things like:
What’s the timeline?
Are there exclusivity clauses?
Will they want content usage rights?
What are the deliverables, exactly?
The more information you have, the more power you have to negotiate. You’re not being difficult. You’re being a professional. You are the content creator, the photographer, the filmographer, the editor, the talent, the strategist, and the distribution channel — all in one.
Brands aren’t just paying you to post. They’re paying you for the full production, the influence, and the trust you’ve built with your audience. That’s not small. That’s not casual. That’s valuable.
Mistake #2: Underestimating the Value of Your Audience
I hear this from beginners all the time: “I don’t have enough followers to charge more.”
Let me be honest with you. Follower count is a vanity metric. What matters to brands is your influence, not your audience size. If your followers trust you, engage with you, and actually act on your recommendations — you’re valuable.
Micro-influencers often have higher engagement rates than creators with massive followings. Why? Because the connection is more personal. The content feels more authentic. And brands love that.
So if you’re tempted to discount yourself just because your account doesn’t look like someone else’s — stop. Focus on what you bring to the table. You’re not charging for your reach. You’re charging for your influence.
Mistake #3: Not Charging for Usage and Licensing
If a brand wants to use your photo in a newsletter, on their website, or for paid ads — that’s a whole separate fee.
One of the biggest mistakes I see creators make is giving away usage rights for free. You might not realize this, but when a brand uses your content in their marketing, they’re essentially borrowing your face, voice, and credibility to sell their product. That’s worth something.
Here’s a quick way to think about it:
Organic post on your feed? Paid once.
Brand wants to use it in their ad campaign for 6 months? That’s licensing.
They also want exclusivity in your niche for 3 months? That’s additional value.
Every time a brand gets extra mileage out of your content, you should be compensated accordingly. And no, it’s not “rude” or “pushy” to ask for it. It’s just business.
Mistake #4: Not Having a Clear Media Kit or Rate Card
You don’t need a fancy deck with animations and music. But you do need something that communicates your professionalism.
A clean, well-organized media kit with your bio, audience stats, recent collaborations, and clear deliverables makes a world of difference. It tells the brand: “I take this seriously. You should too.”
Even if you’re just starting out, you can still present yourself like a pro. Keep it simple. Focus on clarity. And update it every few months as your audience and work evolve.
Not sure where to start? That’s one of the first things Victoria helps creators do during her 1:1 mentorship calls (more on that in a minute).
Mistake #5: Thinking You Have to Say Yes to Everything
This one’s personal.
When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to feel like you need to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way — just to prove you’re in the game. But not every deal is worth your time, energy, or platform.
I’ve said no to deals that didn’t align with my values. I’ve said no to offers that were way too low for the scope of work. And I’ve learned to say no to partnerships that feel forced — because the trust I have with my audience is worth protecting. You don't owe anyone access to you OR your community.
Saying no doesn’t close doors. It opens the right ones.
And if you’re not sure whether to walk away or ask for more? That’s where mentorship comes in.
Need Help Negotiating? We’ve Got You.
I get it. This stuff is confusing. And honestly, most creators have to learn it the hard way — by messing up a deal, getting underpaid, or realizing too late that they gave away rights they didn’t fully understand.
But you don’t have to figure this out alone.
For a limited time, we’re offering exclusive 1:1 mentorship calls with Victoria, CLJ’s Brand Manager and the person behind the scenes of every brand partnership we’ve ever done.
Victoria has spent the last several years negotiating real brand deals for creators across every niche. She knows how this works — and now, she’s sharing that playbook with you.
Each 45-minute session is completely personalized. Want to:
Pitch your dream brand?
Negotiate higher rates?
Refine your media kit?
Land long-term sponsorships?
You set the agenda. Victoria will guide you through it, step-by-step.
She’s not guessing. She’s done this. And she wants you to succeed.
You’re Closer Than You Think
You don’t have to wait until you hit 10K followers to be taken seriously. You don’t have to feel weird asking for more money. You don’t have to keep wondering if your rates are “too high” or “too low.”
You just need the right tools, support, and mindset to approach negotiations with clarity and confidence.
Because here’s the truth: brands need you just as much as you need them. They’re looking for real, relatable creators who know how to show up, tell a story, and move their audience.
That’s you. Let’s help you show up like the professional you already are.
This is your next step. You’ve got the talent. Let’s get you paid like it.
