How to Negotiate Wages: The 3-Number Framework Before Every Call
Mike Newton, influencer marketing strategist and Superfiliate Field Guide Mentor, breaks down the negotiation framework he uses when partnering with creators. Every negotiation, Newton argues, requires three numbers locked in before the conversation starts:
- an aspiration point (what you ideally want to pay),
- an investment point (the number that keeps you safe from overspending), and
- a walkaway point (the absolute ceiling you will not cross).
He is direct that breaking the budget is almost never worth it, even when temptation strikes, though he leaves a small flex for the rare exception. Beyond your own numbers, Newton says knowing how to negotiate wages effectively also means researching the creator's side: their engagement rate, median views, and past brand partnerships. If that information is not available before the call, he commits to asking for it during the conversation.
Watch to see exactly how Newton sequences those questions and why going in without the numbers on both sides is the single biggest mistake brands make.
