Brands in India rarely tell you their budget first. Here's a simple, defensible way to price your reels, stories and YouTube integrations, so you can quote confidently and negotiate from strength.
Step 1: Start from views, not followers
Followers are a vanity number. What a brand buys is people who actually see the content. Use the average views of your last 10 reels or videos (ignore one-off viral outliers).
Step 2: Multiply by a rate per 1,000 views
Indian brands typically pay a rate per 1,000 views for sponsored content. Reels sit lower than YouTube integrations, which hold attention longer.
Price ≈ average views ÷ 1,000 × rate per 1,000 views
Step 3: Adjust for niche and engagement
- Niche: finance, tech and real-estate audiences are worth more to brands than broad entertainment.
- Engagement: above your niche's typical engagement rate? Price up. Below? Price down.
- Language: English content often commands a premium; regional content can be cheaper per view but reaches audiences brands can't reach elsewhere.
Step 4: Price each deliverable
| Deliverable | Typical share of your main price |
|---|---|
| Reel / integration | 100% |
| Set of 3 stories | about a third |
| Static post or carousel | about 60% |
| Dedicated YouTube video | 2–3× an integration |
Step 5: Add the extras
- Usage rights / whitelisting (brand runs your content as ads): add 20–50%.
- Exclusivity (no competitor brands for a period): charge for the period.
- Rush delivery or extra revisions: price them in advance.
Tax on brand deals
Barter is income too: products you keep are taxable at fair value, and above ₹20,000 a year the brand must handle 10% TDS.
Free toolTDS on Brand Deals CalculatorTDS on fees (194J) and on gifted products (194R), with thresholds.If you're registered for GST, add 18% on your invoice. Quote rates "exclusive of GST".