Tech Creator Sponsorship & Service Rates (2025)
- Rodney Nissen
- Apr 14
- 10 min read
Updated: May 6

Podcast Sponsorships
Tech-focused podcasts typically sell sponsorships on a per-episode basis, often calculated by CPM (cost per 1,000 downloads). Industry averages for host-read ads are about $18 CPM for a 30-second spot and $25 CPM for 60 seconds influencermarketinghub.com. In practice this means a podcast with ~10,000 downloads per episode might charge roughly $180-$250 for one ad slot at those average rates. Niche B2B or SaaS podcasts can command the higher end of the range (CPMs of $25-$40+ due to specialized audiences) Factors like ad length, audience size, and topic niche influence the price.
Per-Episode Flat Rates: Many podcasts set flat fees per episode aligned with their audience reach. For example, the Accidental Tech Podcast (~75k downloads/episode) charges about $5,500 per episode for sponsorship. In contrast, a smaller B2B show like B2B Growth has ad slots for only $150–$600 per episode. Larger tech networks bundle sponsorships: Leo Laporte’s The Tech Guy requires a $25,000 minimum buy per quarter of ads. These examples show how rates scale with audience size and prestige of the show.
Cost per 1,000 Downloads: A common guideline is $20–$30 per 1,000 downloads for standard ads, but highly targeted tech podcasts may justify CPMs of $40-$50+ for valuable audiences. (In one B2B influencer survey, tech podcasters reported about $2,500 per episode on average for sponsorship collaborations paperplaneco.com, which often reflects a bundled package including host promotion on other channels.) Major series sponsorships or branded podcast series can run $5,000-$10,000 per episode when the creator also promotes the show across their channels.
Key Takeaway: For a tech/B2B podcast, expect to pay a few hundred dollars for very small shows, into the low thousands per episode for mid-sized podcasts, and $5K+ per episode for top-tier or highly niche shows. The CPM model (typically ~$25) is a useful benchmark, but flat fees will vary with the show’s influence and sponsorship package extras (like social media shout-outs or multiple ad slots).
YouTube Sponsorships
YouTube sponsorships for tech creators are usually priced by video and often benchmarked to expected views (CPM or cost per view). Creators differentiate integrations (a segment in a regular video) versus dedicated sponsored videos (the entire video focused on the sponsor). Tech and SaaS channels often have smaller but highly engaged audiences, leading to higher CPMs but modest absolute views.
Typical Rates by Channel Size: Smaller tech YouTubers (1K–10K subscribers) might charge $50–$1,500 for a brief sponsored segment or $200–$2,500 for a full dedicated video sponsorship.so. Mid-sized channels (10K–100K subs) commonly range $500–$3,000 for integrations and $1,000–$5,000 for dedicated videos. For large channels (100K+ subs), rates jump significantly – often $1,000–$25,000+ for sponsor segments and $5,000 up to $50,000+ for dedicated videos with extensive production. (Exceptionally popular tech influencers with millions of subs can command even higher fees.)
CPM and View Metrics: Unlike automated YouTube ads, sponsorship deals often use higher CPMs due to the personal endorsement. Many tech creators set a minimum fee (around $1K) regardless of views to cover production effort adopter.media. As a rough guide, a channel averaging ~10K views/video might start around $1,000–$1,500 per sponsored integration (effective CPM ~$50–$100). Larger view counts bring the effective CPM down: e.g. a video with 50K views at a $25 CPM would be ~$1,250. Agencies note that $20–$70 CPM is a typical range for YouTube sponsorships across industries, with tech/B2B content often on the higher end due to niche audience value.
Integration vs. Dedicated Video: Integrated ads (e.g. a 60–90 second sponsor message in a tech tutorial) cost less than a full-length sponsored video. One YouTube creator guide suggests an integration might be priced at roughly 1× base CPM, whereas a dedicated sponsored video could be 5× or more of that rate descript.com. In practice, if a mid-sized tech YouTuber charges ~$600 for a short integration, they might charge ~$3,000+ for a fully dedicated review or walkthrough video. Dedicated videos require more work and may not get as many views as regular content, so creators charge a premium to offset that risk.
Key Takeaway: Mid-range tech YouTube channels often charge a few thousand dollars per sponsored video, and even small niche channels will have minimum fees around $500-$1,000. Expect CPMs roughly in the $20-$50 range for integrations (higher for very targeted B2B niches), and significantly higher total prices for dedicated content. Always consider the channel’s typical view count and engagement – a smaller channel with an exact-fit B2B audience might justify the same sponsorship price as a much larger general channel due to higher conversion potential.
In-Person Appearances (Panels, Live Events)
When tech influencers appear live – whether moderating a panel, doing a live podcast at a conference, or hosting interviews at a corporate event – their fees resemble speaking engagement rates, scaled by their audience and expertise. These engagements typically involve a flat appearance fee plus travel expenses.
Basic Event Appearance: Simply attending an event on behalf of a brand (meet-and-greet, being on a panel as a guest) might start around $1,000 for a micro-influencer in tech futuristsspeakers.com. This kind of fee often assumes the influencer will also post about the event on social media. High-profile industry figures or celebrities can get $5,000–$10,000 just to appear or mingle at an event, but most niche B2B creators fall in the lower end.
Panel Moderation / Hosting Duties: Actually hosting a panel or live session commands 2–3× higher rates than simple attendance. For example, a mid-tier SaaS influencer might charge $2,000–$3,000 to moderate a panel or conduct a live podcast recording at a conference (on top of travel costs). If the creator is more established (significant following or author/executive status), fees of $5,000+ per event are common contentmarketinginstitute.com. According to B2B marketing data, in-person influencer event engagements typically range from about $5K up to $15K+ depending on the size of the event and the influencer’s stature.
Keynotes and Major Speeches: While not every “Atlassian-adjacent” creator will be asked to keynote, those that do (or who lead half-day workshops at conferences) can charge a premium. Professional speakers in tech who have an established reputation often earn $5,000–$10,000 per talk as a starting point foundr.com. Well-known experts with large followings or authorship can command $10K, $20K or more for major keynotes. For a niche workflow/Atlassian expert, a realistic speaking fee might be in the $3,000–$7,000 range for a full session, whereas a casual panel participation might be free or just travel-covered if the exposure is mutually beneficial. Many influencers will adjust their fee if the event is highly relevant or offers other value (e.g. networking or sales opportunities).
Key Takeaway: In-person event fees for tech influencers vary widely. Plan on $2K–$5K for a skilled niche creator to host a panel or live podcast, more if they are providing significant content or prep. Smaller engagements might be ~$1K or done in exchange for exposure, while top-tier tech personalities charge five figures for conference appearances. Always clarify the role (panel vs. keynote), length, and who covers travel, as those factors impact the quote.
Custom Training Sessions (Virtual or In-Person)
Tech creators who offer custom training or workshops (e.g. an Atlassian expert teaching a team how to optimize Jira, or a productivity guru training employees on workflow best practices) typically charge on a consulting fee basis. The cost will depend on the session length and the creator’s level of expertise.
Daily Consulting/Training Rates: Many B2B influencers and consultants have a day rate for corporate engagements. A global study found consulting engagements average about $2,900 per day for B2B influencers paperplaneco.com. In practice, rates can span from a few hundred dollars for a short virtual session up to $10,000+ for multi-day on-site training for well-known experts. For example, a smaller Atlassian consultant might quote $2,000 for a half-day virtual workshop or $4,000 for a full-day in-person training, aligning with typical independent trainer fees (one experienced speaker noted $4K/day plus travel as a standard rate quora.com).
Webinars and Virtual Training: If the training is delivered as a webinar or live online class for a client, the fees still reflect preparation and the value of the content. B2B tech influencers report charging around $3,000–$12,000 for a webinar session that they host for a brand contentmarketinginstitute.com. A shorter bespoke virtual training (1-2 hours) might be on the lower end (a few thousand dollars), whereas a series of training sessions or a longer interactive workshop would price on the higher end of that range. These packages often include providing custom materials and Q&A support.
Atlassian-Specific Training: In the Atlassian ecosystem, authorized Solution Partners sometimes offer standardized training classes – independent creators will price similarly to consultants. It’s reasonable for an Atlassian-focused trainer with proven expertise to charge $3K-$6K for an on-site day of training for a team, or a similar amount for a multi-part virtual course, especially if the content is tailored to the organization’s workflows. If travel is involved, typically travel costs are billed in addition or a higher flat fee is set to cover it. Discounts might apply for non-profits or startups, or if the creator can leverage the content for their own channels as well.
Key Takeaway: Custom training sessions by tech creators are a premium service – think of them as hiring a consultant or corporate trainer. Expect on the order of a few thousand dollars for even a short virtual training, and $5K+ for a full-day engagement with a reputable expert. This often scales with the size of the audience and prep work required; creating new curriculum or materials will increase the cost. Always clarify the scope (length, content customization, number of sessions) when budgeting for training services.
Branded Content Creation (Demos, Interviews)
Tech-focused creators frequently partner with SaaS companies to create branded content – for example, a sponsored product walkthrough video, an app demo, or an interview with a partner/executive posted on social media. The pricing for this type of content depends on the format and how it’s used (on the creator’s channel vs the brand’s, one-off or series, etc.), but generally it’s priced per project or per piece of content and often aligns with the effort required.
Sponsored Videos and Demos: Having a creator produce a product demo or walkthrough video is usually comparable to a dedicated YouTube sponsorship in cost. B2B creators report an average of about $3,500 for a single video creation in sponsored collaborations. A simple 5-minute tool walkthrough might be a bit less (around a couple thousand dollars), whereas a more involved tutorial or case study video could be more. If the video is published on the creator’s own YouTube channel as a sponsored piece, consider the earlier YouTube rates (e.g. mid-tier tech YouTuber charging ~$3K–$5K for a dedicated sponsored video). If the video is for the brand’s use (the creator is essentially a host/producer for hire), the fee might also factor in usage rights and exclusivity (potentially increasing the cost if the brand will use the content in ads or on their site for a long time).
Written Content (Blogs/Articles): Tech influencers might create written content like blog posts or case studies for a B2B brand. Typical rates in this space range roughly $1,200–$3,000 per blog post for a quality piece on a business topiccontentmarketinginstitute.com. Some charge by length; one benchmark is around $1 per word (≈$1,000 per 1,000 words) for thought leadership content in the tech domainpaperplaneco.com. So, a 1,500-word article about how to leverage a software tool could run ~$1.5K (more if the creator also promotes it on their channels). Highly experienced writers or pieces requiring research (e.g. white papers) may cost more, but note that B2B influencers sometimes accept lower fees if there are other benefits to the partnership.
Interviews, Webinars, and Social Media Content: If a brand asks a creator to host a live interview or webinar (for example, interviewing a customer on LinkedIn Live, or appearing as a guest in a company’s podcast or webinar series), there is usually a one-time fee. One guide cites $1,000–$2,000 for a podcast guest appearance by an industry influencer. Live video appearances on business social platforms command more – about $2,500–$7,000 for a guest spot on a LinkedIn Live or webinar panel. These fees generally include the person’s time to appear and often their promotion of the event to their followers. For a more involved series of content (say an influencer hosts a monthly interview for a brand), packages might be negotiated at a discount. Additionally, short-form social media content (e.g. a series of LinkedIn posts or tweets about the brand) might be part of a bundle; while individual post rates vary, B2B creators sometimes roll these into a larger content package.
Key Takeaway: Branded content creation by tech influencers typically costs on the order of a few thousand dollars per content piece. A good rule of thumb: a blog or social post campaign may be $1K-$3K, a produced video or webinar is often $3K-$5K, and multi-part projects or high-effort videos can run higher. Always clarify usage rights (can the brand reuse the video externally?), as extended usage or white-labeling a creator’s content can increase the price. These collaborations often include the influencer’s own promotion of the content as added value, which is factored into the pricing.
Summary of Pricing Guidelines
In summary, tech-focused creators and Atlassian/B2B SaaS influencers charge rates that reflect their niche audience value and the work involved. Smaller creators might start in the low hundreds for minor engagements, while top influencers command five or six figures for large projects. The following guidelines can help set expectations:
Podcasts: ~$20–$30 CPM is standard (about $200-$300 per 10k downloads). Actual per-episode sponsor fees range from a few hundred dollars for niche micro-podcasts to $5K+ for popular tech shows.
YouTube: Expect to pay at least ~$1K for any integration on a serious channel. Mid-sized tech YouTubers charge a few thousand per sponsored video, scaling up to tens of thousands for big channels. Dedicated videos cost more than brief mentions.
Live Appearances: For event participation, budget a couple thousand dollars for a knowledgeable micro-influencer to moderate or speak, and more for high-profile speakers. Many will ask for travel expenses on top of a $1K-$5K+ appearance fee depending on the event.
Training/Workshops: Treat these like consulting – often $3K-$5K+ per day of custom training is reasonable for an experienced tech instructor. Short virtual sessions might be a bit less, but even an hour of specialized training can be in the low thousands due to prep time.
Branded Content: A one-off sponsored blog or video typically runs $1K-$5K in the B2B tech space, depending on length and format. More complex content or a series will cost more (sometimes offered in discounted bundles).
These figures are ballparks – actual rates will vary. Influencer pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all, and creators adjust based on deliverables, exclusivity, and your exact needs. The important thing is to approach discussions with a clear idea of the scope and an understanding of these market ranges. This transparency helps both the brand and the creator find a fair price that compensates the creator’s effort and expertise while delivering value for the sponsor. By referencing known benchmarks and being upfront about goals, you can arrive at a win-win.

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