Stop Asking “What’s Your Budget?” and Do This Instead.
There’s a moment early in almost every brand–creator exchange when everything is still a little fragile. A rep reaches out. A brand expresses interest. Maybe they say “we love your content” or “we’re putting together a campaign that might be a fit.”
This is the part where things either take shape or slowly fall apart.
And yet, one of the most common replies we see from creators is:
“Cool! What’s your budget?”
It’s innocent. It’s honest. It kind of makes sense.
But it also kills momentum.
Here’s why that question is so dangerous and what you should say instead if you want to actually land the deal.
The Hidden Message Behind “What’s Your Budget?”
When a creator leads with “what’s your budget,” they think they’re being efficient. They want to cut to the chase. But from the brand’s perspective, it lands differently. It signals:
I don’t have a rate structure
I’ll take whatever you offer
I’m treating this like a quick cash grab
This question often forces the brand to do the heavy lifting and it gives them a golden opportunity to anchor low. Once a number is on the table, it’s hard to move meaningfully higher. Even if the scope expands. Even if usage is included. Even if the creator ends up making more than they thought.
Most brands don’t start with a fixed budget anyway. They’re waiting for you to throw out a number so they can decide if you’re in range. If you’re too cheap, they’ll question your value. If you’re too expensive, they’ll either push back or move on. The only way to navigate that dance is with confidence and clarity, and asking “what’s your budget” shows neither.
A Better Opening Move
Instead, try something like:
“Sounds great. Could you send over a bit more info on the campaign; deliverables, timeline, usage, that sort of thing? Once I know the scope, I can get back to you with pricing.”
This reply does three things really well:
It sets a professional tone. You’re not just someone with a following — you’re someone who runs a business.
It invites detail. That’s where the real pricing power lives. Boosting, licensing, deadlines, which all change the rate.
It buys you time. You don’t have to respond in the heat of the moment. You can pause, consult your team (or manager), and price it properly.
Why Brands Actually Respect This Approach
We’ve seen it happen hundreds of times. When a creator slows the pace and asks for context before discussing money, the brand’s respect level goes up.
Instead of thinking “they’re just trying to get paid,” the brand thinks “they’re taking this seriously.”
They assume you’ve done campaigns before. They assume you know your worth. And more importantly, they know you won’t just say yes to anything.
We’ve had brands come back and say, “She asked such smart questions. She actually made us rethink part of the brief.”
That’s the position you want to be in. You want to be the person that improves the campaign, not just appears in it.
Let’s Talk Numbers — Just Not Yet
This isn’t to say you should never talk budget. You absolutely should.
There’s nothing wrong with asking about it once you’ve seen the scope, or if you’re on the third email with no clear direction. Budget matters. We price differently if it's a startup with $5k or a global brand spending seven figures.
But the key is to build leverage first. Understand the project. Understand what they need from you. Then anchor your rate from a position of strength.
Here’s a better flow:
Brand reaches out
You ask for campaign info
You review scope
Then you provide pricing or ask about budget, depending on the situation
It’s a small shift. But it makes a massive difference.
What We Tell Our Creators
We prep our roster to handle this exact moment.
We tell them: your pricing isn’t a menu. It’s a reflection of strategy, value, and the work ahead.
If you treat your content like a product, not a post, you’ll attract better campaigns. You’ll close better deals. And you’ll stop feeling like you’re guessing every time a new email lands.
So please, stop asking, “what’s your budget?” before anything else. It’s not rude. It’s not wrong. But it’s rarely helpful.
Ask better questions. Set the tone. And watch what happens next.
