Guide
Gifted vs paid brand deal rates
Figures and workflows here are illustrations, not financial, tax, or accounting advice. Talk to a tax or finance specialist in your jurisdiction before you invoice, set payment terms, or treat a number as a rate you should charge.
Refuse / accept table
| They ask for | Gift only OK? | Your move |
|---|---|---|
| Optional unbox, no date, no ads | Maybe | Take the product if you want it; no promise to post |
| Reel by Friday + caption points | No | Send paid Reel SKU |
| Stories + link sticker | No | Paid Stories + sticker lines |
| “Tag us + we may whitelist” | No | Paid post + whitelist/Spark fee |
| 90-day exclusivity for product | No | Paid post + exclusivity % |
| Seed box, post if you love it | Yes (optional) | No SOW, no usage grant |
If a courier tracking number arrives with a brief PDF, it is a job — invoice it.
Worked reply: $80 gift vs $150 floor
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Product MSRP (their claim) | $80 |
| Your nano Reel floor (organic) | $150 |
| Paid usage 30d (if they want ads) | +$60 |
| Invoice if they need a dated Reel | $150–$210 |
| Gift-only outcome | $0 cash — only if you post optionally |
Do not “net” $70 because 150−80. The product does not pay your editor hours.
What gifted deals are not
- Not cash — but HMRC may still tax promotional gifts as income; US barter at FMV is often taxable too. Ask a tax specialist.
- Not a licence for them to run ads.
- Not a substitute for FTC/ASA disclosure — use clear #ad language; “gifted” and platform labels alone may not satisfy regulators.
- Not exposure that replaces a rate card.
Nano trap
Brands target nanos with gifting because refusal rates are low. Your view-band floor still applies — see nano rates.
Upgrade path
“Happy to post if you have a paid budget — here’s the card.” Then stop typing.
Related guides
Rate cards & media kits
Gifted vs paid deal questions
+Is gifted product a fair payment for a Reel?
Almost never if they want a date, usage, or exclusivity. Product is not payroll. Accept gift-only when you already wanted the item and they ask for optional, unpaid content with no ads rights.
+What if the product retail is “worth” my rate?
Retail ≠ cash. You cannot pay rent with a serum. Quote your paid floor; they may gift on top. Do not subtract MSRP from your fee unless you choose to.
+Can I do a discounted rate for a first gift collaboration?
Optional — never below your hours floor. Example: $150 nano Reel floor stays; gift is bonus, not a $0 invoice.
+Does gifting include paid usage or whitelisting?
No. Gifted seeding is organic courtesy content if you post at all. Ads, whitelist, and Spark need a paid deal.
+How do I refuse politely?
“I only take paid briefs; happy to send rates if you have budget this quarter.” No essay about why gifting exploits creators.
+Do I owe tax or disclosure on gifted product?
Often yes on both fronts. HMRC treats promotional gifts as taxable income; US practitioners commonly treat barter at fair market value. FTC/ASA expect clear #ad-style disclosure — platform “paid partnership” alone may not be enough, and #gifted alone is ambiguous when you were asked to promote.
Send a paid card, not a thank-you note
BlueRateCard packages make the paid floor obvious so “gifted collab” DMs hit a price list. Free for creators.