As an influencer navigating the world of social media, it's not uncommon to encounter brands that express their inability to pay for influencer marketing.

While understanding their budget constraints is essential, it's equally important to recognise the value of your work and request appropriate compensation.

It’s clear brands can identify a creators worth and what they bring to the table for a brand- hence why they’re reaching out. Creators should consider the same!

The Basics

Influencer marketing is not just about creating content; it's about creating content that resonates with your engaged and niche audience.

You invest time, effort, creativity and expertise in producing content that promotes a brand's products or services effectively, while staying true to your preferences. Creators connect with consumers in a way most brands fail to abysmally.

Acknowledging the value of your work is the first step in advocating for fair compensation.

Content Creation Experts

As an creator, you possess a unique set of skills that extend beyond simply taking photos or recording videos. You understand lighting, camera work, product styling, and the intricacies of photo and video editing.

These skills contribute to the quality of your content and its ability to capture the brand's essence. Following a detailed multi-page brief takes time, planning and energy. Not to mention many creators are working full time and have to take time out from their free time.

You’re Saving Them Money

By requesting payment for your work, you demonstrate that you are a cost-effective solution for brands.

Instead of investing time and resources in learning the nuances of content creation, brands can leverage your existing skills and expertise.

It's often more efficient and financially sound for them to hire creators freelance who already possess these capabilities.

Cost Effective

Traditional advertising channels come at a significant cost.

For instance, advertising in magazines can require payment of $150 per 1,000 impressions (CPM) for only the cost of the slot alone- not including the model, photographer, set rent out, creative director and the entire marketing team’s time to produce the advertisement to appear in the magazine.

These traditional methods often lack the personalised engagement and authenticity that influencers offer. Your influencer platform provides access to a highly targeted and engaged audience, making your content more valuable- and a fraction of the price.

A model alone may charge $2000 for one entire shoot day. A studio location can be $1000s per day.

Some brands opt for an Airbnb location which can still cost hundreds, and requires extra lighting equipment. A photography team often costs in the $1000s for the day.

Those Who See The Value, Find It.

Impressions matter, but what matters more is the quality of those impressions.

A thousand impressions from your dedicated and niche audience are far more valuable than a thousand random impressions from individuals who may not be interested in the brand's offerings.

You can highlight this distinction when discussing payment with brands.

If your engagement rate is high, and your audience is engaged, this contributes strongly to a negotiation.

Still Feel Awkward?

As an influencer, understanding your worth and advocating for fair compensation is not only reasonable but also essential.

Your expertise, skills, and ability to engage a niche audience are valuable.

While budget constraints may exist, it's essential to communicate that your work is a cost-effective and highly targeted way to reach an audience with a shared love of beauty (or your specific niche).

By recognising your value and confidently requesting payment for your influencer work, you contribute to the sustainability of influencer marketing and ensure that both you and the brands you collaborate with can benefit mutually from these partnerships.