How to Price UGC Services for Long-Term Deals
User-Generated Content
Jun 15, 2025
Jun 15, 2025
Learn effective strategies to price UGC services for long-term deals, ensuring profitability while building lasting brand partnerships.
Want to secure long-term UGC deals? Start with the right pricing strategy. Here's what you need to know:
Understand Market Rates: Average UGC rates are $150–$212 per video. Experienced creators can charge $500+ depending on quality and complexity.
Factor in Usage Rights: Add 20–150% of your base rate for paid ad rights or exclusivity. Example: A $200 video with six-month ad rights could cost $250–$280.
Offer Bundles and Discounts: Brands expect discounts for bulk content. For instance, a five-video bundle might cost $600–$800, saving brands 19% on individual rates.
Upsell Services: Include extras like raw footage (+30–50%), hook variations ($50 each), or rush orders (+25–50%).
Use Retainers: Secure steady income with monthly retainers starting at $1,500+.
Pro Tip: Always get a written contract detailing deliverables, usage rights, and payment terms to protect your work and ensure clear expectations.
Want more? Keep reading for detailed strategies to price, negotiate, and build lasting brand relationships.
How much to charge as a UGC Content Creator (Pricing, Invoicing, and Contracts for UGC videos)
Factors That Affect UGC Pricing
If you're looking to set competitive rates for user-generated content (UGC) while ensuring profitability, understanding key pricing factors is crucial. These elements not only justify your rates but also help you build lasting partnerships with brands.
Creator Experience and Content Quality
Your experience and the quality of your work are two of the most important factors in determining your rates. For example, beginner creators often charge between $50–$100 per video, while those with more experience can earn anywhere from $150–$500 per video. Seasoned professionals with a proven track record can command $500 or more per video.
Brands are willing to pay more for creators who consistently deliver high-quality content with minimal need for revisions. If your portfolio shows a history of driving engagement and conversions, it becomes easier to justify higher rates.
The complexity of your content also plays a role. Simple videos, like testimonials, are less time-intensive, while more elaborate projects - those requiring scripting, props, or extensive editing - demand higher fees. Specialized creators with niche expertise can set even higher rates, as their skills are harder to find.
Usage Rights and Exclusivity
Another major factor in pricing is how brands plan to use your content. Usage rights determine where and for how long a brand can use your work, and these rights can significantly boost your earnings. Organic rights, which allow unlimited use on social media, are often included in your base rate. However, when brands want to use your content for paid advertising, additional fees apply:
3-Month Paid Ads Rights: Add 20–30%
6-Month Paid Ads Rights: Add 25–40%
1-Year Paid Ads Rights: Add 30–50%
In-Perpetuity Rights: Add 100–150% of your base rate
For instance, if your base rate is $200 per video and the brand requests six-month paid ad rights, you could charge an extra $50–$80, bringing the total to $250–$280.
Exclusivity is another factor that can increase your rates. If a brand requires exclusivity - meaning you can't work with their competitors - you should charge more to compensate for the potential loss of other opportunities.
Paula Uccelli, Project Manager at VeraContent, offers a practical perspective:
"Paid ad campaigns need new content every two months, so it's unlikely it'll be used for longer than that."
Project Size and Deliverables
The scope of a project and the number of deliverables also play a big role in pricing. Simpler projects with a single deliverable, like one video, are typically priced with a flat rate. However, larger campaigns often involve multiple pieces of content, which opens the door to different pricing models.
Flat Fee Packages: These work well for campaigns requiring multiple deliverables. For example, a brand might request an unboxing video, a testimonial, and a product demonstration as part of a monthly campaign. Bundling these together provides value for the brand while allowing you to secure larger contracts.
Per Deliverable Pricing: This approach is ideal when projects include varied content types, each with different production requirements. Pricing each piece individually ensures fair compensation for your time and effort.
A case study from inBeat Agency highlights the potential of larger projects. For example, creators working with the haircare brand Prose generated 50 unique content assets each month, demonstrating how substantial project sizes can lead to steady, profitable partnerships.
Brands often expect discounts for bulk content. For instance, bundles of five or more videos typically receive a 19% discount. You can also upsell additional services, such as variations for hooks or calls-to-action (approximately $50 each), extended usage rights (30–50% of the base rate), or raw footage delivery (30–50% of the base rate).
Platform-specific requirements and the complexity of a brand's brief also impact pricing. For example, creating content for TikTok might involve different specs and editing styles compared to Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. Similarly, a simple brief allows for quicker execution, while detailed instructions with strict guidelines can increase production time - and your rates.
When working with brands on long-term deals, consider how project sizes might grow over time. A brand might start with five videos per month but expand as their campaigns evolve. Scalable pricing models that reward larger commitments can help you grow alongside your clients.
Tools like Vidpop can help you present your pricing options and deliverables clearly. A well-organized portfolio showcasing your ability to handle projects of varying sizes and complexities can give brands confidence in your skills and justify your rates.
How to Set Rates for Long-Term Deals
Setting rates for long-term partnerships requires careful planning. You need to strike the right balance between offering competitive pricing and ensuring your work remains profitable. Start by understanding your market position, offering clear service packages, and exploring upsells to increase revenue.
Research Market Rates and Standards
Before you decide on your pricing, take a good look at where you stand in the market. Your skill level and portfolio quality will play a big role here. For reference, the average price for a single UGC video is $212, while the median rate is $150.
Different platforms have different pay scales, so research your niche thoroughly. For example:
TikTok UGC: $25–$250+
Instagram UGC: $50–$500+
YouTube UGC: $100–$1,000+
Keep all production costs and time commitments in mind, and establish a minimum rate that you're comfortable with as your negotiation baseline. As your experience and demand grow, consider raising your rates by 10–20% every 6 to 12 months.
Once you've set your baseline, you can craft service packages specifically for long-term clients.
Create Service Packages for Long-Term Clients
Service packages are a great way to showcase value clearly and appeal to different client budgets. Instead of pricing each video individually, group your offerings into bundles that cater to various brand needs.
For example:
Single Video: $150–$200 for organic content, $200+ for paid-ready videos.
Five-Video Bundle: $600–$800.
Ad Tester Package: $500 for multiple videos with varying hooks and calls-to-action, perfect for brands testing A/B campaigns.
Retainers are another smart option for long-term partnerships. These monthly agreements often start at $1,500+ and provide steady income while building stronger relationships with brands. To make your pricing clear and professional, create a rate card showcasing your packages and pricing. Tools like Vidpop’s portfolio features can help you display these alongside your work samples, giving potential clients confidence in your skills and rates.
Once your packages are in place, think about including upsells to maximize your earnings.
Add Upsells and Extra Services
Upsells are a simple way to increase revenue without significantly adding to your workload. For instance, you could offer extra variations of hooks or calls-to-action for $50 each.
Usage rights can also be a valuable upsell. Consider charging an additional 30–50% of your base rate for extended usage rights. Similarly, raw, unedited footage can be offered for 30–50% of your base rate. Other potential upsells include:
Whitelisting or Spark Ads: Typically charged at 30% of your base rate per month.
Rush Orders: 25–50% of your base rate.
B-Roll Footage: 50–80% of your base rate.
You might also offer strategic services like script rewrites, content strategy consultations, or social media audits. However, it’s essential to deliver your initial work flawlessly before pitching these extras - brands need to trust your ability to deliver results before investing further. Use case studies or statistics to back up your recommendations, showing clients the potential value of these add-ons. Incorporating upsells into your pricing strategy can help you create more value for clients while ensuring steady, long-term income.
Negotiation Tips for Long-Term Contracts
Nailing down a solid negotiation strategy is key to securing long-term deals that work for both you and the brands you collaborate with. It’s all about balancing the value you bring with the brand’s expectations while ensuring clear agreements that protect both parties.
Show Your Worth to Brands
The first step in any negotiation is proving your value. Brands want to see what you can deliver, not just hear about it. A strong portfolio of diverse UGC (User-Generated Content) can go a long way in showing your capabilities. High-quality work often justifies rates of $500 or more per video.
Make it easy for brands to see your value by including a clear rate sheet alongside your portfolio. Tools like Vidpop can help you present this information in a professional and organized way, giving potential partners confidence in your abilities. Support your rates with compelling industry stats: 79% of consumers say UGC significantly influences their buying decisions, and UGC is viewed as 9.8 times more impactful than traditional influencer content. These figures, combined with success stories from past clients, can help you highlight the potential ROI your content can deliver. Remember, your rates should reflect your deliverables and expertise - not your follower count.
This sets the stage for productive pricing discussions.
Offer Flexible Pricing and Terms
When negotiating, flexibility can make all the difference. Instead of simply lowering your prices to fit a brand’s budget, consider adjusting the scope of work. For instance, you can propose different pricing models, such as flat fees for one-off projects, per-deliverable rates for ongoing work, or performance-based pricing tied to campaign results. Offering bundle discounts is another effective approach. Many creators provide around a 19% discount for packages of five or more videos, which can be particularly appealing for long-term partnerships.
You can also add value through extras like hook/CTA variations (around $50 each) or extended usage rights, typically priced at 30–50% of your base rate. The key is to communicate your pricing structure clearly. Transparency builds trust and helps establish agreements that benefit both sides.
Once terms are agreed upon, it’s crucial to formalize them.
Get Written Agreements
A written contract is your safety net in any long-term collaboration. It ensures that both you and the brand are on the same page about deliverables, timelines, and expectations. Be specific - detail the type of content, its complexity, and any additional services included. Clearly outline usage rights, payment schedules, deadlines, and renewal terms to avoid misunderstandings or scope creep.
If your pricing is tied to performance, include metrics and success criteria in the agreement. For example, define how success will be measured and when payments will be triggered. Additionally, outline procedures for handling unexpected changes, whether they involve extra requests, timeline shifts, or budget adjustments.
UGC expert Mattie James offers a valuable reminder:
"If you stated a rate and they agree automatically, you didn't ask for enough."
This advice underscores the importance of pricing with confidence and being prepared to back up your rates with a clear value proposition. A well-drafted contract doesn’t just protect you - it also sets the tone for a strong, lasting relationship with the brand.
Build Long-Term Brand Relationships
Creating lasting partnerships with brands is about more than just delivering content - it's about building mutual value. Brands prefer collaborators they can trust over one-time content providers.
Maintain Clear Communication and Delivery
Consistent communication is the backbone of any successful long-term partnership. It helps establish trust, which is essential for smooth negotiations and collaboration. Brands want to feel confident in their partners, so keeping them updated, addressing questions promptly, and showing appreciation can go a long way.
Meeting deadlines is equally important. When brands know they can count on you to deliver quality content on time, they’re more likely to renew contracts and allocate larger budgets. To stay on track, use a system to manage deliverables and notify brands immediately if any delays are anticipated.
Building genuine connections - even through quick check-ins - can turn a working relationship into a true partnership. These personal touches foster mutual respect and help maintain a strong collaboration over time. Simplifying processes like payment and contract management can further strengthen these bonds.
Use Tools to Handle Payments and Finances
To maintain long-term partnerships, managing your finances efficiently is just as important as clear communication. Dedicated platforms can help streamline payment processes, contracts, and other administrative tasks, showing brands that you operate a professional and organized business.
For example, platforms like Vidpop handle contracts, payments, and legal compliance all in one place, reducing your workload. This allows you to focus on creating exceptional content while ensuring secure transactions and clear financial tracking.
"They help manage payments, contracts, and legal compliance" – Influee
When juggling multiple brand deals, having organized financial systems is crucial. Tools that offer real-time analytics and automatic tax form handling are especially useful when brands request financial documentation or during tax season. A well-managed financial system builds confidence in your professionalism, encouraging brands to extend partnerships and increase budgets.
Adjust to Changing Brand Needs
Long-term partnerships thrive on adaptability. Brands often shift their strategies, launch new products, or update their messaging to respond to market changes. Being flexible and evolving your approach while maintaining your value is essential for staying relevant.
For instance, adapting your content style or offering new formats based on brand feedback shows your willingness to grow with their needs. A great example is Social Savannah’s collaboration with Outer, a direct-to-consumer furniture company. Savannah Sanchez implemented a full-funnel marketing strategy with creative testing and optimization on Facebook, helping Outer achieve a 659% quarter-over-quarter revenue growth and a 17X increase in site traffic.
Tracking performance metrics and analyzing audience engagement are also vital. These insights not only help brands adjust their strategies but also give you the data to justify rate increases during contract renewals.
As Kiah Zellner-Smith from IES Abroad explained regarding their pivot to TikTok:
"We shifted our focus to TikTok just because when advertisements started on that platform, it was a lot more affordable to advertise there than Instagram, which was pretty heavily saturated with ads at this time."
Conclusion: Pricing for Long-Term Success
Setting the right price for your UGC services is about finding the sweet spot between staying competitive and recognizing your true worth. It’s not just about picking a number - it’s about crafting a strategy that aligns with the market while highlighting the value you bring to the table.
Here’s an eye-opener: a mere 1% price increase can lead to an 8.7% boost in operating profits, according to research. Yet, 30% of companies admit their pricing decisions aren't hitting the mark. For creators, this presents a chance to stand out by adopting a thoughtful and strategic approach to pricing.
At the core of effective pricing is understanding your value. What makes your content stand out? How much time and effort do you invest? What unique problems do you solve for brands? Answering these questions gives you the foundation to set rates that reflect your expertise while staying competitive in the marketplace.
Flexibility is key, too. Testing different pricing models and being open to adjusting based on market feedback keeps you agile and ensures your relevance in a dynamic industry.
As you secure more long-term partnerships, managing these relationships efficiently becomes crucial. Tools like Vidpop can simplify the backend of your business. From handling contracts and secure payments to tracking financials and performance metrics, these platforms save time and enhance your professionalism. Brands notice this kind of organization, which can lead to stronger relationships and bigger budgets.
FAQs
How do I set the right price for my UGC services based on my experience and content quality?
Setting the right price for your UGC services involves balancing your experience, content quality, and the value you offer to brands. If you're just starting out, you can expect to charge $50 to $100 per piece. As you gain experience, mid-level creators typically earn between $150 and $500 per piece, while seasoned creators producing top-notch content often earn $300 or more per video.
When determining your rates, think about the time and effort involved, the complexity of the project, and feedback from clients. Tools like Vidpop can be a game-changer, helping you showcase your portfolio and manage collaborations. This not only makes it easier to connect with brands but also allows you to adjust your pricing as your skills and reputation grow.
What are the best tips for negotiating long-term UGC partnerships with brands?
To effectively secure long-term UGC partnerships, start by clearly showcasing the value you bring to the table. Emphasize your unique expertise, past results, and the impact you can deliver for the brand. Be upfront about what you’ll provide, the timeline for deliverables, and any expectations, ensuring everyone is on the same page from the beginning.
When it comes to negotiating terms, focus on creating win-win scenarios. Stay open to collaboration while confidently standing your ground on fair compensation that matches your skills and experience. Make sure to formalize agreements with detailed contracts that cover payment terms, usage rights, and deliverables, so both sides are protected.
Preparation is your best ally. Go into negotiations with a clear plan, including counteroffers, and structure your pricing to reflect not only the work involved but also the long-term benefits for the brand. By staying professional and communicating clearly, you can lay the foundation for strong, enduring partnerships.
How can I use service packages and upsells to increase my income from UGC collaborations?
To increase your income from UGC collaborations, try offering tiered service packages that provide extra value for brands. For instance, you could include perks like extended usage rights, raw footage, or multiple content variations. These extras can be priced 30–50% higher than your base rate, making them appealing to brands seeking more comprehensive options.
Another way to boost earnings is by upselling additional services such as captions, voiceovers, or exclusive content rights. Packaging these extras into clear, well-organized bundles not only simplifies the decision-making process for brands but also opens up more revenue opportunities for you. By presenting flexible, value-rich options, you position yourself as a go-to professional for ongoing partnerships.
Platforms like Vidpop can help you showcase your offerings, handle payments, and keep track of your finances, allowing you to focus on building strong, lasting relationships with brands.