Commission-Only: A Tough Sell (and Why Product Gifting Ranks Higher)
In a commission-only model, creators are paid based on the actual sales or conversions they generate. While this approach might seem appealing to brands focused on performance, it’s a tougher sell for creators.
Only 9% of creators are very willing to join commission-only campaigns, with 41% of creators saying they’d avoid them altogether. Many creators see commission-only as high-risk and unpredictable.
Creator Perspective: “You can’t pay for advertisements on television with commission. Why would this pay structure make sense for a content creator?”
For brands, it’s worth considering that commission-only models may not bring in experienced creators with highly engaged followings.
Interestingly, product gifting, a widely used practice in influencer marketing, ranks higher in preference than commission-only. 19% of creators are highly willing to participate in gifting campaigns.
Although product gifting doesn’t offer direct income, it provides creators with tangible compensation with attributable value and is generally seen as less of a gamble compared to commission-only models.
