Guide
InstagramCollab PostsRatesIndiaInstagram Collab Post Rates in India (2026): Pricing & Strategy Guide
Instagram's collab post feature lets you co-author posts with brands, giving both parties shared visibility. This guide covers what to charge, how to negotiate, and strategies to maximize collab post income for Indian creators.
Last updated: February 25, 2026
Step-by-Step Guide
Build your collab post portfolio
Create 3-5 sample collab-style posts featuring brands you like (even without payment). These demonstrate your collab post capability to potential brand partners.
Identify 20 target brands
Find brands in your niche that already do collab posts with creators. Study what works and prepare specific content ideas for each brand.
Send personalized pitches
Email or DM each brand with a specific collab idea, your portfolio, and your rate card. Personalize every pitch — generic messages get ignored.
Deliver and document results
For every collab, capture analytics (reach, engagement, saves, shares) and create a results one-pager. This data justifies your rates for future deals.
Pitch retainers after successful one-offs
After 2-3 successful collaborations, propose a monthly retainer package. Offer a slight discount for commitment and frame it as a win-win.
Instagram collab post rates by follower count
Collab posts appear on both your and the brand's feed, giving the brand access to your audience. This justifies premium pricing:
| Followers | Collab Feed Post (₹) | Collab Reel (₹) | Collab Post + Stories Bundle (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K-10K | ₹3,000-₹10,000 | ₹5,000-₹15,000 | ₹7,000-₹20,000 |
| 10K-25K | ₹8,000-₹20,000 | ₹12,000-₹30,000 | ₹18,000-₹45,000 |
| 25K-50K | ₹15,000-₹40,000 | ₹25,000-₹60,000 | ₹35,000-₹80,000 |
| 50K-100K | ₹30,000-₹80,000 | ₹45,000-₹1,25,000 | ₹65,000-₹1,75,000 |
| 100K-250K | ₹60,000-₹1,50,000 | ₹90,000-₹2,50,000 | ₹1,25,000-₹3,50,000 |
| 250K+ | ₹1,00,000-₹3,00,000+ | ₹1,50,000-₹5,00,000+ | ₹2,50,000-₹7,00,000+ |
Why collab posts can command premium rates:
- Content appears on the brand's feed permanently
- Brand gets your audience engagement on their page
- Higher visibility than tagged posts
- More authentic than traditional sponsored posts
How to pitch and negotiate collab posts
Pitching to brands:
1. Identify target brands: Look for brands that already do collab posts with creators your size
2. Craft your pitch: "I'd love to create a collab Reel showcasing [product]. My audience of [X]K [niche] followers would be a great fit for [brand] because [reason]."
3. Include your media kit with past collab post performance data
4. Propose specific content ideas — brands prefer creators with creative vision
Negotiation framework:
- Start 25-30% above your minimum rate
- If brand counters low, negotiate on deliverables: "For that budget, I can do a feed post instead of a Reel"
- Ask about content usage rights separately (additional 30-50%)
- Offer bundle discounts: "Collab Reel + 3 Stories for 15% less than individually"
Payment terms to negotiate:
- 50% upfront, 50% on content delivery
- Net 30 days maximum for payment
- Revision policy: 1-2 rounds of edits included
- Content approval process with clear timelines
Red flags:
- Brand wants unlimited revisions (cap at 2-3)
- Payment only after results (performance-based without base fee)
- No contract or written agreement
- Brand wants to own your content without additional compensation
Maximizing collab post performance
Better-performing collab posts lead to repeat deals and higher rates:
Content tips for high-performing collab posts:
1. Start with an engaging hook — First 1-2 seconds decide if people watch
2. Make it feel organic — The best collab posts look like regular content, not ads
3. Show genuine product use — Demonstrate the product in a real context
4. Include a clear CTA — "Check out [brand] for [product]" with tagged mention
5. Optimize caption — Tell a story, share a personal experience with the product
Technical best practices:
- Shoot in 9:16 ratio for Reels (full-screen engagement)
- Use good lighting (natural light or ring light)
- Clear audio (use a lapel mic for voiceover)
- Subtitles for accessibility (Instagram's auto-caption works)
After posting:
- Engage with comments for the first 30 minutes (boosts algorithm)
- Share to Stories with additional thoughts
- Monitor performance and share analytics with the brand
- Use positive results to negotiate higher rates for future collaborations
Building long-term collab partnerships
One-off collab posts are good. Recurring partnerships are better:
From one-off to retainer:
1. Deliver exceptional first collaboration (over-deliver on quality)
2. Share detailed analytics within 48 hours of posting
3. Wait 1-2 weeks, then pitch: "The collab performed well. Would you be interested in a monthly collaboration package?"
4. Offer a monthly package at 10-15% discount vs one-off rates
5. Example: 2 collab Reels + 4 Stories per month for ₹1,00,000 (vs ₹1,30,000 individually)
Benefits of retainer collab deals:
- Stable, predictable monthly income
- Deeper brand relationship = better creative freedom
- Less time pitching new brands
- Portfolio of consistent, high-quality brand work
- Potential for exclusivity premium (1.5-2x rate)
How many collab partnerships to maintain:
- 2-3 monthly retainer brands maximum
- Plus 2-3 one-off deals per month
- Never have more than 1 brand per niche (exclusivity concerns)
- Keep 60-70% of content organic (audience trust)
Pro Tips
- Collab posts reach 2x more people than regular tagged posts because they appear on both feeds and both Explore pages
- Always send performance analytics to the brand within 48 hours — this builds trust and opens the door for repeat deals
- Propose collab Reels over collab feed posts — Reels get 3-5x more reach and justify higher pricing
- Include a 'brand exclusivity' option in your rate card — brands pay 1.5-2x premium for you not to work with competitors
- Negotiate content usage rights separately — if a brand wants to boost your collab post as a paid ad, charge an additional 30-50%