Free Product vs Paid Deals
Know when to accept product vs cash — and how to make either work for you.
When you're starting out, brands will often offer free product instead of cash. That's not always a bad deal — but it's important to know your worth and when to push for payment. Here's how to think about it.
When to accept free product
- You genuinely love the brand and would use it anyway
- The product has real monetary value (e.g. $100+ item)
- You're building your portfolio and need diverse content
- The brand has strong social proof that boosts your credibility
- It opens a door to a paid relationship down the line
When to request payment
- You have a proven, engaged audience (even if small)
- The brand is asking for multiple deliverables (posts, stories, reels)
- They want usage rights or exclusivity
- You've already done free collabs with similar brands
- The product value doesn't justify your time and effort
The Hiya Value Perspective
If a brand offers a product valued at $60, that alone can nearly cover a full year of your Hiya membership. One collab can pay for your entire access to the platform — so even free product deals have real, measurable value when you're on Hiya.
Key Insight
Free product collabs aren't inherently bad — they're a starting point, not a destination. Use them strategically early on, then transition to paid as your engagement data builds. A rate card with real numbers is the fastest way to signal you're ready for paid work.