Flat fee vs CPM vs affiliate

You agree a fixed amount for the deliverable regardless of how the video performs. This is the most common structure and the most predictable for you — you are paid for the work, not the outcome. It favours the creator when a video underperforms and the brand when it overperforms. Most established creators prefer flat fees for exactly this reason.

The fee is tied to views, usually with a guaranteed minimum plus a top-up if the video exceeds a view threshold. It shares performance risk: the brand pays more when they get more reach. This can be fair, but insist on a solid guaranteed minimum so a slow-starting video does not leave you underpaid for real production work.

You earn a share of sales you drive, via a tracked link or code, often with little or no upfront fee. Upside is uncapped if your audience converts well, but you carry all the risk — no sale, no pay. Affiliate works best as a bonus on top of a flat fee, or for products you would recommend anyway. Pure-affiliate-only offers from brands that can afford to pay are a caution sign.

If you want certainty, push for a flat fee. If the brand wants to share risk, accept CPM with a strong floor. Take pure affiliate only when the product fit is excellent or it tops up a guaranteed fee. Many strong deals combine a flat fee with an affiliate code so you get paid for the work and share in the upside.