Proposals & Pricing

Master the art of creating effective proposals, pricing collaborations fairly, and structuring deals that work for both your brand and creators.

Table of Contents

  1. Understanding the Proposal System
  2. Preset Packages vs Custom Deliverables
  3. Pricing Strategies
  4. Usage Rights & Licensing
  5. Deal Modifications

Understanding the Proposal System

Proposal Architecture

Proposals in Flexilocus are structured offers that define the complete scope of a collaboration. They serve as both negotiation tools and binding agreements once accepted.

Core Components:

  • Proposal Items: Individual deliverables
  • Pricing: Cost per item and total
  • Timeline: Delivery and publish dates
  • Terms: Usage rights, revisions, exclusivity
  • Requirements: Specifications and guidelines

Proposal Workflow

Complete Proposal Lifecycle:

  1. Draft: You create proposal
  2. Sent: Delivered to creator
  3. Under Review: Creator reviewing
  4. Countered: Creator sent counter-proposal
  5. Negotiating: Back-and-forth modifications
  6. Accepted: Agreement reached
  7. Active: Work in progress
  8. Fulfilled: Deliverables completed

Proposal Versions and History

Version Control:

  • Each modification creates new version
  • Version history maintained
  • Can reference previous versions
  • Track negotiation progress

Version Types:

  • V1: Your initial proposal
  • V2: Creator's counter
  • V3: Your modified proposal
  • V4: Final accepted version

Accessing History:

  1. Open collaboration
  2. Click "Proposals" tab
  3. View all versions
  4. Click any version to review
  5. See what changed between versions

Current vs Superseded Proposals

Current Proposal:

  • Latest active proposal
  • Under negotiation or accepted
  • Primary reference
  • Determines agreement

Superseded Proposals:

  • Previous versions
  • Historical reference
  • Shows negotiation path
  • Archived automatically

Why This Matters:

  • Clear record of negotiations
  • Dispute resolution
  • Learn from past deals
  • Track pricing evolution

Formal vs Informal Proposals

Formal Proposals (Recommended):

  • Structured format
  • All terms specified
  • Legally binding when accepted
  • Professional documentation
  • Platform-enforced

Benefits:

  • Clear expectations
  • Dispute protection
  • Professional appearance
  • Streamlined process
  • Automated tracking

Informal Negotiations:

  • Chat-based discussion
  • Flexible early-stage talks
  • Convert to formal later
  • Less binding initially

Best Practice:

  • Use informal for initial discussions
  • Create formal proposal before agreement
  • Never start work without formal proposal
  • Keep all formal proposals

Preset Packages vs Custom Deliverables

Understanding Preset Packages

What Are Preset Packages:

  • Creator's pre-built offerings
  • Listed on their storefront
  • Standard deliverables
  • Established pricing
  • Proven formats

Common Package Examples:

YouTube Packages:

  • "60-Second Integration" - $3,500
  • "Dedicated Review Video" - $5,000
  • "Product Mention + Description Link" - $1,500

Instagram Packages:

  • "1 Feed Post + 3 Stories" - $2,000
  • "Reel Package" - $2,500
  • "Story Takeover (10 stories)" - $1,000

Multi-Platform Package:

  • "Complete Campaign" - $8,000
    • YouTube video integration
    • Instagram Reel
    • 5 Instagram Stories
    • TikTok video

When to Use Preset Packages

Ideal Scenarios:

  • Creator has relevant package
  • Fits your campaign needs
  • Budget aligns
  • Standard collaboration
  • Quick turnaround needed

Advantages:

  • Faster negotiation
  • Clear expectations
  • Creator's recommended approach
  • Proven format
  • Less back-and-forth

How to Select:

  1. View creator's storefront
  2. Review available packages
  3. Click package in proposal builder
  4. Details auto-populate
  5. Can modify if needed

Creating Custom Deliverables

When Custom is Needed:

  • Unique campaign requirements
  • Specific content format
  • Budget constraints
  • Special timing
  • Niche product integration

Custom Deliverable Process:

  1. Select "Custom Package"
  2. Define deliverables
  3. Write detailed description
  4. Set specifications
  5. Propose pricing
  6. Include terms

Custom Package Example:

Custom Package: EcoBottle Integration

Deliverables:
- 90-second integration in main video
- Product featured in thumbnail
- Dedicated Instagram Story sequence (5 stories)
- Behind-the-scenes content for brand's channel
- Participation in launch event (virtual)

Requirements:
- Show product in real-life scenarios
- Include key talking points (fact sheet provided)
- Natural integration (not scripted)
- High-quality cinematography
- Brand logo placement

Price: $6,500
Timeline: 4 weeks

Modified Preset Packages

Best of Both Worlds:

  • Start with preset package
  • Adjust specific elements
  • Modify pricing accordingly
  • Faster than full custom

Common Modifications:

Add Elements:

  • "Instagram Package" + add Reel
  • Original: $2,000 → Modified: $2,750

Remove Elements:

  • "Complete Package" - remove podcast
  • Original: $8,000 → Modified: $6,500

Extend Usage Rights:

  • "YouTube Integration" + perpetual ad rights
  • Original: $3,500 → Modified: $5,000

Rush Timeline:

  • "Standard Package" in half the time
  • Original: $2,000 → Modified: $2,500

How to Modify:

  1. Select preset package
  2. Click "Customize"
  3. Adjust deliverables
  4. Modify price fairly
  5. Explain changes in message

Pricing Strategies

Understanding Creator Pricing

What Influences Pricing:

1. Follower Count:

  • Nano (1K-10K): $100-500
  • Micro (10K-50K): $500-2,500
  • Mid-tier (50K-500K): $2,500-10,000
  • Macro (500K-1M): $10,000-50,000
  • Mega (1M+): $50,000+

2. Engagement Rate:

  • High engagement = premium pricing
  • Low engagement = discount pricing
  • Engagement often more valuable than followers

3. Platform:

  • YouTube: Highest (production value)
  • Instagram: Mid-range
  • TikTok: Lower (faster production)
  • LinkedIn: Premium (B2B)
  • Podcast: Mid-to-high
  • Newsletter: Varies widely

4. Content Complexity:

  • Simple mention: Lower
  • Dedicated video: Higher
  • Complex integration: Highest
  • Custom production: Premium

5. Usage Rights:

  • Standard (on their channel): Base price
  • Brand social sharing (6-12 months): +20-30%
  • Paid advertising: +50-100%
  • Perpetual rights: +100-200%
  • Exclusive (no competitors): +50-150%

6. Timeline:

  • Standard (3-4 weeks): Base price
  • Rush (1-2 weeks): +20-50%
  • Extended (flexible): Sometimes lower

Industry Benchmarks

YouTube Pricing (per 100K subscribers):

  • 60-second integration: $2,000-4,000
  • Dedicated review: $3,000-6,000
  • Channel takeover: $5,000-10,000

Instagram Pricing (per 100K followers):

  • Feed post: $1,000-2,000
  • Reel: $1,500-3,000
  • Stories (set of 5): $500-1,500

TikTok Pricing (per 100K followers):

  • Single video: $800-2,000
  • Video series: $2,000-5,000

LinkedIn Pricing (per 10K connections):

  • Post: $500-1,500
  • Article: $1,000-3,000
  • Video: $1,500-4,000

Newsletter Pricing (per 10K subscribers):

  • Mention: $500-1,500
  • Dedicated segment: $1,000-3,000
  • Exclusive newsletter: $2,000-5,000

Podcast Pricing (per 10K subscribers):

  • Mid-roll ad read (30 sec): $500-1,500
  • Interview episode: $2,000-5,000
  • Sponsored series: $10,000-30,000

Pricing Per Platform

Platform Hierarchy (High to Low):

  1. YouTube

    • Highest production value
    • Longest content lifespan
    • Best ROI often
    • Premium pricing justified

  2. LinkedIn

    • B2B premium
    • Professional audience
    • Higher income demographics
    • Lower reach but quality

  3. Podcast

    • Engaged listening
    • Long-form integration
    • Loyal audiences
    • Higher trust

  4. Instagram

    • Mix of formats
    • Mid-range pricing
    • High engagement possible
    • Shorter lifespan

  5. TikTok

    • Fast production
    • Viral potential
    • Young demographics
    • Lower cost per view

  6. X/Twitter

    • Quick content
    • Real-time engagement
    • Niche communities
    • Variable pricing

  7. Newsletter

    • Highly variable
    • Depends on engagement
    • Direct audience access
    • Niche can be premium

Pricing Per Follower Count

Calculation Method:

Base formula: (Followers / 1,000) × Platform Rate × Engagement Multiplier

Example Calculations:

Micro-Influencer (25K followers, Instagram Reel):

25,000 / 1,000 = 25
25 × $80 (base rate) = $2,000
Engagement rate 8% (high) = ×1.2
Final price: $2,400

Mid-Tier Creator (200K followers, YouTube Integration):

200,000 / 1,000 = 200
200 × $15 (base rate) = $3,000
Engagement rate 4% (good) = ×1.0
Final price: $3,000

Macro Creator (750K followers, Multi-Platform):

YouTube (60s): $7,500
Instagram Reel: $6,000
TikTok: $4,500
Total Package: $18,000

Negotiation Strategies

Your Opening Offer:

Start 15-20% Below Budget Max:

  • Budget: $5,000
  • Opening offer: $4,000-4,250
  • Room for negotiation
  • Meet in middle likely

Justify Your Offer:

  • Reference similar creators
  • Explain budget constraints
  • Show market research
  • Value the creator fairly

Package Example:

"Based on similar collaborations with creators in your size range,
we're proposing $4,000 for this package. We've budgeted up to $4,500
for the right fit, and we believe your audience aligns perfectly
with our target demographic."

When Creator Counters High:

Options:

  1. Meet in Middle: Split difference
  2. Hold Firm: Explain budget limit
  3. Reduce Scope: Fewer deliverables at their rate
  4. Add Value: Longer partnership, products, exposure
  5. Walk Away: If too far apart

Counter-Offer Strategy:

Creator wants: $6,000
You offered: $4,000
Budget max: $5,000

Counter at: $4,750 (slightly below max)
OR
Counter at: $4,500 with reduced deliverables
OR
Counter at: $5,000 as final offer

Budget Allocation

Campaign Budget Distribution:

Example: $50,000 Campaign Budget

Platform breakdown:
- YouTube (3 creators): $18,000 (36%)
- Instagram (5 creators): $15,000 (30%)
- TikTok (8 creators): $12,000 (24%)
- Contingency/revisions: $5,000 (10%)

Creator Size Distribution:

- 1 Macro (500K+): $15,000 (30%)
- 3 Mid-tier (100-500K): $21,000 (42%)
- 6 Micro (10-100K): $14,000 (28%)

Smart Allocation Tips:

  • Mix creator sizes
  • Diversify platforms
  • Keep 10-15% contingency
  • Test before scaling
  • Track ROI by segment

Usage Rights & Licensing

What Are Usage Rights?

Usage rights define how your brand can use the content creators produce beyond its original publication on the creator's channel.

Standard Rights (Included in Base Price):

  • Content lives on creator's channel permanently
  • Brand can share organically on brand's social channels
  • Limited duration (usually 6-12 months)
  • No paid advertising use
  • No editing or repurposing

Extended Rights (Additional Cost):

  • Use in paid advertising
  • Perpetual usage (no time limit)
  • Right to edit/repurpose
  • Multi-platform usage
  • Commercial applications

Types of Usage Rights

1. Organic Social Sharing:

  • Repost on brand's Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Post on brand's TikTok
  • Duration: 6-12 months typical
  • Cost: Usually included or +10-20%

2. Paid Advertising:

  • Instagram/Facebook ads
  • YouTube ads
  • TikTok ads
  • Google display ads
  • Duration: 3-6 months typical
  • Cost: +50-100% of base price

3. Website Usage:

  • Product pages
  • Homepage features
  • Landing pages
  • Blog posts
  • Duration: 12 months typical
  • Cost: +10-20%

4. Commercial Usage:

  • Point-of-sale displays
  • Product packaging
  • Trade shows
  • Presentations
  • Duration: Varies
  • Cost: +100-300%

5. Perpetual Rights:

  • Use indefinitely
  • All platforms
  • Any purpose
  • Forever
  • Cost: +200-500%

6. Exclusive/Buyout:

  • Creator can't post
  • Brand owns fully
  • All rights included
  • Rare and expensive
  • Cost: +500-1000%

Negotiating Usage Terms

Standard Template:

Usage Rights Agreement:

1. Creator Rights:
   - Content remains on creator's channel permanently
   - Creator retains ownership and copyright

2. Brand Rights:
   - Share on brand social channels (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook)
   - Post on brand website
   - Use in email marketing
   - Duration: 12 months from publish date
   
3. Restrictions:
   - No paid advertising without additional compensation
   - No editing without creator approval
   - Must credit creator when resharing
   - FTC disclosures must remain

4. Extended Rights:
   - Paid advertising: +$1,500 (6 months)
   - Commercial usage: Negotiable
   - Perpetual rights: Negotiable

Negotiation Tips:

  • Be specific about intended use
  • Disclose ad spend plans
  • Offer fair compensation for extensions
  • Consider creator's concerns
  • Document everything clearly

Licensing Content for Ads

Ad Rights Pricing:

Formula:

Ad Rights Cost = Base Content Cost × Ad Multiplier × Duration Factor

Ad Multipliers:

  • Small budget (<$10K ad spend): 0.5-0.75×
  • Medium budget ($10-50K): 0.75-1.0×
  • Large budget ($50-100K): 1.0-1.5×
  • Huge budget ($100K+): 1.5-2.0×+

Example:

Base content: $3,000
Ad spend plan: $50,000
Duration: 6 months

Ad rights: $3,000 × 1.0 × 1.0 = $3,000
Total: $6,000 ($3,000 content + $3,000 ad rights)

Ad Rights Proposal:

Proposal Item 1: Instagram Reel
Base content creation: $3,000
Organic sharing rights (12 months): Included

Proposal Item 2: Ad Rights for Reel (Optional)
Paid advertising usage (6 months): $3,000
Estimated ad spend: $50,000
Platforms: Instagram, Facebook

Total: $6,000

Perpetual vs Time-Limited Rights

Time-Limited Rights:

  • Specific duration (6, 12, 24 months)
  • Rights expire after period
  • Must stop using content
  • More affordable
  • Standard approach

Pros:

  • Lower cost
  • Creator comfort
  • Content stays fresh
  • Encourages new content

Cons:

  • Must track expiration
  • Remove content when expires
  • Renegotiate if want to extend

Perpetual Rights:

  • Use forever
  • No expiration
  • Keep using indefinitely
  • Much higher cost

Pros:

  • No expiration tracking
  • Long-term asset
  • Maximum flexibility
  • Simplicity

Cons:

  • Significantly more expensive
  • Content may age poorly
  • Creator less comfortable
  • Harder to negotiate

When to Choose Each:

Time-Limited for:

  • Campaign-specific content
  • Budget constraints
  • Testing creators
  • Seasonal content
  • Product launches

Perpetual for:

  • Evergreen content
  • Core brand assets
  • Testimonials
  • High-value content
  • Long-term campaigns

Pricing for Usage Rights

Usage Rights Pricing Guide:

Basic Organic Sharing (6-12 months):

  • Usually included in base price
  • Or +10-20% of content cost

Extended Organic (12-24 months):

  • +20-30% of content cost

Paid Ads (3-6 months):

  • +50-100% of content cost
  • Scales with ad budget

Paid Ads (12 months):

  • +100-150% of content cost

Website/Marketing Materials (12 months):

  • +15-25% of content cost

Commercial Usage:

  • +100-300% of content cost
  • Highly negotiable

Perpetual Non-Commercial:

  • +200-300% of content cost

Perpetual All Rights:

  • +400-600% of content cost

Full Buyout (exclusive + perpetual):

  • +800-1500% of content cost
  • Very rare

Example Pricing Tiers:

Base Content: $4,000 Instagram Reel

Tier 1 - Standard:
$4,000 (12-month organic sharing)

Tier 2 - Extended Organic:
$5,000 (+$1,000 for 24-month organic)

Tier 3 - Ad Rights (6 months):
$7,000 (+$3,000 for paid ads)

Tier 4 - Extended Ad Rights (12 months):
$9,000 (+$5,000 for 12-month ads)

Tier 5 - Perpetual Non-Commercial:
$12,000 (+$8,000 for perpetual organic)

Tier 6 - Perpetual All Rights:
$20,000 (+$16,000 for all perpetual rights)

Deal Modifications

When to Modify a Deal

Valid Reasons:

  • Scope change needed
  • Timeline adjustment required
  • Budget reallocation
  • Additional deliverables wanted
  • Usage rights extension
  • Campaign pivot

Invalid Reasons:

  • Trying to reduce agreed price unfairly
  • Adding work without compensation
  • Unreasonable demands

Creating Deal Modification Proposals

How to Modify Active Deal:

  1. Open collaboration
  2. Click "Create Modification Proposal"
  3. Explain reason for modification
  4. Add/remove/adjust items
  5. Fair pricing adjustment
  6. Send for creator approval

Modification Types:

Add Packages:

  • Original deal + new deliverables
  • Additional budget
  • Extend timeline
  • Requires creator agreement

Remove Packages:

  • Reduce scope
  • Reduce budget proportionally
  • Fair to creator
  • Rare mid-collaboration

Adjust Terms:

  • Timeline changes
  • Deliverable specifications
  • Usage rights modifications
  • Pricing adjustments

Adding Packages to Existing Collaborations

Process:

  1. Discuss with creator
  2. Create modification proposal
  3. Add new proposal items
  4. Price fairly
  5. Adjust timeline
  6. Creator accepts

Example:

Original Deal:
- Instagram Reel: $3,000
- Timeline: 3 weeks

Modification:
- Keep Instagram Reel: $3,000
- Add YouTube Integration: $5,000
- New total: $8,000
- Extended timeline: 5 weeks

Reason: Campaign performing well, want to expand reach

Removing Packages

When Appropriate:

  • Budget cuts (before work started)
  • Strategy change
  • Product unavailability
  • Mutual agreement

How to Handle:

  1. Discuss immediately
  2. Explain situation
  3. Propose fair modification
  4. Reduce price proportionally
  5. Compensate for time invested

Never:

  • Remove after creator started work
  • Without fair compensation
  • Unilaterally
  • As negotiation tactic

Budget Adjustments

Increasing Budget:

  • Add deliverables
  • Extend usage rights
  • Rush timeline
  • Improve quality
  • Easy to negotiate

Decreasing Budget:

  • Reduce scope
  • Shorter usage rights
  • Longer timeline
  • Before work starts only
  • Creator must agree

Creator Approval Process

Modification Workflow:

  1. You send modification proposal
  2. Creator reviews
  3. Creator can:
    • Accept
    • Counter
    • Decline
  4. Negotiate if needed
  5. Finalize modification
  6. Work continues

Respect Creator's Decision:

  • They can decline modifications
  • Original deal still stands
  • Negotiate fairly
  • Don't pressure

Best Practices

Proposal Best Practices

Do:

  • ✓ Be specific and detailed
  • ✓ Price fairly based on market
  • ✓ Allow room for negotiation
  • ✓ Clearly define deliverables
  • ✓ Set realistic timelines
  • ✓ Include all terms upfront
  • ✓ Be professional and respectful

Don't:

  • ✗ Lowball creators
  • ✗ Hide usage rights needs
  • ✗ Be vague about requirements
  • ✗ Rush timeline unreasonably
  • ✗ Add work without compensation
  • ✗ Change terms after agreement

Pricing Best Practices

Research First:

  • Check similar creator rates
  • Understand platform norms
  • Know your budget limits
  • Calculate ROI potential

Be Fair:

  • Price based on value delivered
  • Consider creator's audience quality
  • Factor in production effort
  • Don't exploit smaller creators

Build Relationships:

  • Fair pricing = repeat collaborations
  • Long-term partnerships valuable
  • Creator advocacy worth premium
  • Reputation matters

Negotiation Best Practices

Effective Negotiation:

  • Start reasonable
  • Be flexible where possible
  • Stand firm on must-haves
  • Respond promptly
  • Keep it professional
  • Find win-win solutions

Red Flags:

  • Endless negotiation rounds
  • Unreasonable demands
  • Disrespectful communication
  • Major value misalignment
  • Budget far apart

When to Walk Away:

  • Can't reach fair agreement
  • Creator demands unreasonable
  • Budget incompatible
  • Better options available
  • Uncomfortable with terms

Troubleshooting

Creator's Price Too High

Steps:

  1. Understand their justification
  2. Compare to similar creators
  3. Counter with research
  4. Reduce scope if needed
  5. Consider long-term deal
  6. Walk away if necessary

Can't Agree on Usage Rights

Solutions:

  • Start with basic rights
  • Option to extend later
  • Tiered proposal (multiple options)
  • Separate content and rights costs
  • Find middle ground duration

Proposal Keeps Getting Countered

When to Stop:

  • After 3-4 rounds
  • Gap isn't closing
  • Becoming contentious
  • Better options available

Final Offer Strategy:

  • State it's final offer
  • Give deadline
  • Be prepared to walk away
  • Professional regardless

Next Steps

Fair proposals and transparent pricing build lasting creator relationships. Invest time in getting it right!