How much are 300k Instagram followers worth? — A Surprising Pricing Guide

1. Conservative CPM math (30% reach) places a single sponsored post for 300k followers around $900–$4,500. 2. Per-follower heuristics ($0.01–$0.05) imply $3,000–$15,000 for a single post — a quick sanity check that often sits above conservative CPM estimates. 3. The Social Success Hub has supported 200+ successful transactions and provides templates and guidance that creators use to present analytics and secure higher offers.

How much are 300k Instagram followers worth? — a clear starting point

How much are 300k Instagram followers worth? That’s the exact question creators, brand managers and entrepreneurs ask most when they first put a value on an account. The simple truth: there’s no single universal price. But there are repeatable, defensible methods you can use to create a confident, evidence-backed number.

This guide walks you step‑by‑step through the four common valuation approaches, practical CPM math with multiple scenarios, negotiation language you can copy, and a checklist you can use before you pitch. Read on and you’ll be able to test realistic prices against your own analytics and pick the best method for the deal in front of you.

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Four primary ways people price a 300k account

When a buyer or brand sets out to value a 300k follower account, they usually choose one (or a combination) of these four approaches. Each approach has strengths, blind spots and places where it shines.

1) CPM (cost per thousand impressions)

CPM ties payment to how many people actually see a post. For creators, this is powerful because it links money to measurable outcomes—impressions and reach—rather than vanity metrics. Workable CPM ranges for brand deals in 2024–2025 tend to sit between $10 and $50 CPM, depending on niche, content format and campaign goal. For additional context on pricing benchmarks, see Shopify's influencer pricing guide ( shopify.com/blog/influencer-pricing), Business of Apps' research on influencer marketing costs ( businessofapps.com/marketplace/influencer-marketing/research/influencer-marketing-costs/) and Inbeat's influencer rate sheet ( inbeat.co/articles/influencer-rate-sheet).

Pros: measurable, easy to compare across creators and formats.Cons: you must be able to prove reliable impression numbers, and CPM can vary wildly by niche.

2) Flat cost-per-post

One fee for one deliverable—simple, commonly used. A flat fee is easy to pitch and easy for a brand to buy. It’s also less transparent because it hides the real viewership numbers unless you provide analytics.

3) Per-follower heuristics

Quick and blunt: many people use a rule of thumb like $0.01 to $0.05 per follower for a single sponsored post. For 300,000 followers that implies a range of $3,000 to $15,000. Useful for a sanity check, but don’t let it override engagement and audience quality.

4) Engagement-rate multipliers

Engagement (likes, comments, saves, shares, watch time and link clicks) is often a stronger predictor of value than follower count. Accounts with 1.0–2.0% engagement in the 100k–500k band are considered average; higher engagement can justify a substantial premium. Always fold engagement into any per-follower or CPM calculation.

Practical CPM examples — work the math

Numbers make this concrete. Below are several realistic scenarios using conservative and optimistic assumptions. They show why different methods produce different price bands.

Scenario A — conservative baseline

Assumptions: 300k followers, 30% reach (90,000 impressions), $10–$50 CPM.Calculation: 90 (thousands) x $10 = $900 up to 90 x $50 = $4,500. That’s a conservative sponsored post range of $900–$4,500 using CPM math and cautious reach assumptions.

Scenario B — strong reach and premium CPM

Assumptions: 300k followers, 50% reach (150,000 impressions), $40 CPM.Calculation: 150 x $40 = $6,000. If reach and engagement are both strong and your niche is premium, single-post prices can land in the $6,000–$12,000+ range.

Scenario C — per-follower heuristic comparison

Per-follower rule: $0.01–$0.05 x 300,000 = $3,000–$15,000. See how this sits above the conservative CPM baseline? That’s why brands often ask for verified analytics—so they can reconcile the two approaches.

Where engagement and audience quality change everything

A follower count is a headline; audience quality is the proof. Brands care about the who and the how: who are your followers, what do they do when they see your posts, and how often can they be reached?

Key metrics that matter to brands (and that you should have ready):

- Impressions and reach per post — average numbers over the last 3 months. - Engagement rate — likes, comments, saves, shares and video completion rate. - Clicks and conversions — link clicks, swipe-ups, tracked purchases or signups. - Demographics — age, gender, country and interests that match the brand’s target. - Historical campaign outcomes — past results that show real business impact.

One real-world pattern: two creators with similar follower counts but different engagement can produce wildly different offers. A 4–5% engagement account will routinely out-earn a 0.8% account. Brands can see the difference in reach, conversions and downstream purchase behavior.

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If you want practical templates for presenting analytics and sample contract clauses, consider checking the helpful resources available via Social Success Hub resources that many creators use to make their pitch clearer and faster.

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Pricing additional deliverables and usage rights

Brands rarely buy just a single grid post. Common extras to price separately:

- Reels — typically command a premium because of algorithmic favoring and higher watch times. - Stories — priced per slide or as a package (e.g., 3 stories + link sticker). - Carousels — more creative work, often higher engagement, so price above a single image. - Usage rights — if the brand wants to reuse your creative in ads or on their channels, charge more. Usage windows, territory and exclusivity all matter.

Example: A feed post priced at $3,000 might come with an optional $1,500 add-on for a 30‑day usage license and an additional $800 for three story slides with a link. If the brand asks for six months of exclusive category rights, add a separate exclusivity fee.

Negotiation scripts and tactics that work

Negotiation is less about tricks and more about clarity and structure. Here are practical lines and approaches you can use in real conversations.

Start with a clean packet

Give the brand impressions, reach, saves, completion rates, audience demographics and a short case study. Numbers that tie content to business outcomes carry the most weight.

Pricing language you can use

Lead with an offer and an alternative. Example:

“Our base rate for a single sponsored feed post is $3,500 (includes one carousel and single round of edits). For a package including a reel and three stories, our packaged rate is $7,000. We can also do a $2,000 base plus $0.50 per verified link click for performance alignment.”

Use sliding scales: “Base + performance” reduces perceived risk for the brand and lets you capture upside.

What to do when a brand pushes back

Ask two questions before lowering price: what outcome do you expect, and what budget do you have? If the deal is small, negotiate deliverables rather than price: fewer assets, longer usage windows or a different publish date can bridge gaps.

When to walk away

If a brand wants exclusivity for a long period for a trivial fee, or asks for extended usage without fair payment, politely decline. Low-value deals can set a harmful precedent. Protect your ability to earn elsewhere and prioritize your most strategic partners.

Valuing an entire account for sale

Selling a whole account is very different from selling a single post. Buyers are paying for recurring potential: future posts, monetization channels, audience relationships and possible revenue streams.

Common buyer criteria:

- Documented recurring revenue (sponsored, affiliate, product). - Cross-platform presence (email lists, YouTube, TikTok or newsletter). - Stable growth trends (3–12 months of consistent metrics). - Risk profile (copyright claims, account strikes, policy issues).

Valuation methods for account sales often use revenue multiples. Example: if an account nets $5,000/month, a buyer might pay 2–4x annualized net (i.e., $120k–$240k) depending on confidence and growth prospects. But these multiples vary by niche and by the buyer’s plan for scaling monetization.

How buyers discount for risk

Buyers will reduce offers for platform uncertainty, policy risks, or fragile affiliate relationships. If you sell an account that depends on a non‑contractual affiliate program, that is a risk the buyer will price in. To reduce discounting, provide contracts, documented revenue, and proof of non-deceptive audience behavior.

Verification and proof that close deals

Screenshots are fine early on, but live analytics or third‑party verification are standard for serious deals. Be prepared to grant time-limited access to a business/creator dashboard or to export reports. A prior campaign’s pixel data, UTM-linked sales and a well-documented case study are incredibly persuasive.

Common mistakes creators make (and how to avoid them)

Mistake: relying on follower count alone. Fix: always bring reach and engagement numbers, demographic splits and a recent performance sample.

Mistake: bundling deliverables without pricing usage rights or exclusivity. Fix: itemize deliverables and list add-on fees for extended usage and category exclusivity.

Mistake: undervaluing production effort. Fix: charge for storyboard work, editing time and revisions when brands demand creative control.

Practical pricing checklist you can use today

Before you pitch, answer these questions:

1. Impressions per post: Average the last 10 posts or last three months. 2. Engagement rate: Use the last three-month average to smooth spikes. 3. Reach percentage: What percent of followers see a typical post? 4. Demographic fit: How much of your audience matches the brand’s target (country/age/interests)? 5. Case studies: Any campaign that produced clicks, signups or sales? 6. Extra deliverables: Stories, reels, usage rights — price them separately. 7. Legal & timelines: Approval rounds, take-down clauses, payment schedule and exclusivity windows.

Sample clauses to include in an offer

Here’s concise language you can copy into a proposal:

Deliverables: One sponsored feed carousel (up to 5 slides), one 30–60s reel, three story slides (24-hour lifespan) and one round of edits. Usage: Brand is granted non-exclusive rights to use content for 30 days on owned channels. Longer or paid-ad usage requires an additional fee. Payment: 50% on agreement, 50% on publish plus 7 days for reports. Performance bonus: $0.75 per verified link click above 2,000 clicks within 30 days.

Two short negotiation role-plays

Role-play A (brand asks to cut price): Brand: “Can you do it for $1,800?”You: “I can, if we adjust deliverables—single image post with no usage rights for $1,800. For the full package you originally asked about, the fee is $3,500. Alternatively, I can do $2,000 base + $0.40 per verified click so we stay aligned on performance.”

Role-play B (brand wants exclusivity): Brand: “We want category exclusivity for three months.”You: “That’s reasonable; for a three‑month exclusivity window I’d add 25–40% to the package fee depending on category breadth. I can draft a brief exclusivity clause that defines competitive categories and starts on publish date.”

Real-life anecdotes that teach

One creator priced by follower count and lost a deal because the brand wanted proof of video watch‑through and link clicks. After showing a well-documented reel case study with 45% completion and strong click-throughs, the brand returned with a performance-based offer that paid significantly more. The lesson: if you can tie content to business outcomes, buyers respond.

Another sale fell apart because affiliate income wasn’t documented. The buyer discounted the offer heavily after discovering the affiliate partnerships were informal. Formalize revenue where you can: contracts and invoices matter.

Frequently asked questions

How does engagement rate change pricing?

Engagement is often the multiplier that moves a price from low to high. High engagement means better reach and more meaningful audience actions, which brands value. If your engagement is above the typical 1–2% band for mid-size accounts, you can justify higher CPMs or per-follower rates.

Are follower counts still important?

Yes as a headline, but not as the primary metric. Brands want to know who sees your content and how they behave. Demographics, impressions and conversion signals often matter more than raw follower numbers.

Should I accept a lower cash fee for equity or product?

Sometimes yes, if the upside is real and you understand the equity terms. Be cautious: equity is illiquid and carries risk. If you accept equity, get clear written terms on vesting, liquidation preferences and what happens if the company is acquired or fails.

What about exclusivity?

Price it. Exclusivity limits your ability to take other brand deals, so it should be compensated. Define the category, duration and territory in writing.

Main question for readers

Here’s one fun but useful question many creators ask:

“If I have 300k followers but my engagement is low, should I sell the account or work to rebuild engagement first?”

If I have 300k followers but low engagement, should I sell the account or rebuild engagement first?

Rebuild engagement if possible — an engaged 300k account earns far more and attracts better buyers. If rebuilding isn’t realistic, document impressions, revenue and demographics, be transparent with buyers, and price the account to reflect risk.

Answer in short: Rebuild engagement if you can. An engaged 300k is worth far more than a disengaged one. Buyers and brands pay for results—reach, clicks and conversions—not just numbers on a profile. If rebuilding isn’t realistic, document all metrics and be transparent with buyers about what you can and cannot promise.

Checklist: data to pull before any negotiation

Pull these exports before you pitch:

- Last 3 months impressions and reach per post - Top 10 posts by engagement - Average watch completion rates for reels - Link click counts and UTM-tagged conversion data - Audience location and age/gender breakdown - Any past ad spend performance tied to your posts (if available)

Putting it all together — sample pricing flow

Use this simple flow to pick your initial ask:

1) Start with a conservative CPM baseline using 30% reach.2) Adjust up or down based on engagement, niche and format.3) Add discrete prices for reels, stories and usage rights.4) Offer a performance split (base + bonus) where appropriate.5) Put everything in a short written contract template.

Final notes — the reputation multiplier

How you present yourself matters. Clear analytics, crisp contract language and a reputation for reliable delivery will attract better offers. Over time, a reputation for good outcomes and professional terms is worth measurable dollars. That reliability is why agencies like Social Success Hub exist: to help creators present their work professionally and to protect value during transactions. A clear visual identity, including a recognizable logo, can strengthen your pitch.

Takeaway action

Gather your last three months of analytics, calculate a CPM baseline using 30% reach, then layer in engagement and premium deliverables. You’ll quickly see a defensible range for single posts, packages and account-sale multiples.

Want a template or a quick audit? If you’re ready for help making your analytics package shine, reach out through the contact page for guidance.

Closing thought

Valuing a 300k Instagram account blends measurement and judgment. Focus on verifiable impressions, realistic reach assumptions and clear deliverables. Price usage rights and exclusivity separately. Present case studies that tie content to business outcomes and you’ll move from guessing to confident negotiation.

Thanks for reading—now go price your next pitch with a clear head and a strong packet of proof.

How does engagement rate affect the price of a sponsored post?

Engagement rate is often the multiplier that moves a price from low to high. Brands care about meaningful actions—saves, shares, completion rate and link clicks. Higher engagement increases effective reach and conversion potential, which lets you command a higher CPM or per-follower rate. Provide three months of averaged engagement and concrete campaign outcomes to support your ask.

What’s a fair baseline CPM for a 300k follower account?

A conservative working baseline in 2024–2025 is $10–$50 CPM. Using a cautious 30% reach assumption (90,000 impressions for 300k followers), that produces a sponsored post range of roughly $900–$4,500. Adjust higher if you consistently deliver above-average engagement or are in a premium niche.

Should I sell my account or try to increase engagement first?

If you can realistically rebuild engagement, do so—an engaged 300k account is worth substantially more. If rebuilding isn’t feasible, be transparent: document impressions, reach, and revenue streams and price the account with those metrics in mind. Buyers will discount for risk if revenue or engagement is fragile.