How much to pay a micro influencer for a post (and what changes the price)

Updated 8 November 2026.

A micro influencer (roughly 10,000 to 100,000 followers) typically charges between $100 and a few hundred dollars for one Instagram Reel or TikTok on their own account in the US. Content made for your channels to post is often less. Pay per view is priced per thousand views, commonly $10–30 per thousand. These are ranges, not rules; the right number is what the post is worth to you.

What moves the price

• Engagement, not followers. A creator with 20,000 followers whose posts get 2,000 likes is worth more than one with 80,000 and 500.
• Deliverable. A Reel costs more than a story; a post on their account costs more than a file for your channels.
• Usage rights. Reposting on your own channels is usually included or cheap; using the content in paid ads is extra and should be agreed up front.
• Exclusivity and duration. Asking them not to work with competitors for a period, or to keep the post up for a long time, costs more.
• Niche. Skincare, finance and parenting creators command more than general lifestyle.

Flat fee or pay per view?

A flat fee is simple and right when you know the creator's posts perform. Pay per view is fairer when you don't: the creator confirms the views they expect, sends the count seven days after posting, and the amount follows the count, with a cap on overdelivery and a reduced rate for a big miss, agreed up front.

When to pay

After the post is live and you've checked it against what you agreed. Promptly after that. Paying before the post leaves you no say if it's wrong; paying late is the single thing creators complain about most.

How UpShout helps

UpShout shows the full cost before you commit (creator's fee, UpShout's 5% capped at $20, standard card processing charges), supports flat-fee and pay-per-view deals with the rules written into the terms, and charges your card only when you click Pay after your check. The creator receives the full amount. Create a brand account

Questions people ask

Do micro influencers charge per follower? Some quote a rule of thumb like $100 per 10,000 followers; treat it as a starting point, not a price list.

Is gifting the product enough? For a creator you'd actually want, no. Gifting is a favour, not a deal.

Who pays the platform fee? On UpShout, the brand. The creator receives the agreed amount in full.