How Much Do Korean YouTubers Charge For Sponsored Collaborations?
Korean YouTube influencers are currently among the most in demand in the world.
If you’re looking to raise awareness of your brand or promote your product in Korea, then you need to know what the current Korean YouTube marketing rates are.
The following guide details the average rates Korean influencers charge for sponsored collaborations on YouTube.
##🤷♂️ How Much Do Korean Influencers Charge?
In 2022, the average Korean social media influencer charged between 600,000 KRW to 2,300,000 KRW ($500 to $1800 USD) for a sponsored post.
The average rate Korean influencers charged per platform was as follows:
- YouTube: 800,000 KRW to 3,000,000 KRW ($680 to $2500 USD)
- Instagram: 500,000 KRW to 1,500,000 KRW ($425 to $1260 USD)
- Facebook: 300,000 KRW to 1,000,000 KRW ($255 to $850 USD)
- TikTok: 500,000 KRW to 1,500,000 KRW ($425 to $1260 USD)
The above figures have been extrapolated from a comprehensive report detailing the average rates Korean influencers charged in 2022, according to a 2023 study published by Hoobin Star.
🤔 K-YouTube Marketing Trends
Despite the broader consensus that TikTok is the preferred social media application for Generation Z, the data shows Korean influencers are still charging more to promote brands on YouTube than TikTok, as previously shown.
Furthermore, 64% of YouTube users in Korea are aged 18 to 24 and actively engage with content on YouTube and social media, with 56% spending three hours or more on the platform daily.
This puts young YouTube influencers at a distinct advantage in the growing market, as they are more relevant and relatable to the demographic that brands wish to target.
₩160.41 Million USD generated by Korean Influencers through YouTube Marketing
In 2022, Korean influencers garnered ₩215 billion KRW ($160.41 million USD) in revenue through YouTube marketing in Korea.
While Korean influencers primarily conduct brand promotions in Korea, many are also featured in campaigns for international brands, such as Sony, Gucci, Dior, Samsung, Fendi, Prada and even Beats by Dre.
According to a report published by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), YouTube is the most important channel for influencers marketing in Korea.
Ninety-two percent of marketers in Korea regard YouTube as the most important platform for influencer marketing, with 85% rating it as effective, according to a 2022 survey conducted by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).
In fact, the Korean influencer marketing industry is expected to maintain a compound annual growth rate of 27.6% between 2022 and 2026.
This growth is attributed to YouTube’s continued popularity over other social media platforms, despite the meteoric rise of TikTok in the West.
The increased growth of the Korean influencer marketing industry is indicative of the growing power and influence influencers yield over their audiences in Korea.
K-Influencer Pricing Models
Korean social media influencers utilize a range of pricing models when charging brands for promotions.
While most Korean influencers will prefer to charge brands a flat rate for sponsored collaborations, some influencers will negotiate commission based payment models.
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the most common pricing models currently utilized in Kinfluence:
1. Flat Rate Sponsored Collaboration
The most common method Korean influencers charge brands for sponsored collaborations is through a flat rate fee.
A flat rate fee is charged regardless of sales generated. This pricing model is particularly popular with larger influencers who have a devoted following that will engage with their promotions, regardless of the influencer’s affiliate status.
2. Commission Based Pricing Model
For Korean influencers who have smaller followings, it is common to agree on commission based pricing models when working with brands.
In a commission based pricing model, the influencer usually charges a nominal flat rate fee for their services, in addition to receiving a percentage of sales generated through their marketing efforts.
The nominal fee could typically range between 50,000 KRW to 300,000 KRW ($43 to $255 USD) depending on the influencer’s follower count and engagement.
The commission percentage will vary by influencer, but it usually ranges from 5% to 20%, with the standard being around 10-15%, depending on the influencer’s niche.
3. Pay per Click Pricing Model
While less common than the flat rate and commission based pricing models, some Korean YouTube influencers will charge brands a nominal fee based on the number of clicks generated through their promotions.
For example, an influencer may charge a brand $1 USD per click, with a minimum charge of $300 USD for 300 clicks if the influencer fails to generate that many clicks.
This pricing model can be especially beneficial for bloggers or influencers whose primary influence comes from their ability to drive traffic to a particular site.
4. Pay per Action Pricing Model
In addition to charging based on clicks, Korean influencers will sometimes charge brands a nominal fee based on a particular action taken by a user or viewer in response to the influencer’s advertisement.
For instance, an influencer may charge a brand $3 USD for every user that signs up for a newsletter through the influencer’s advertisement.
Like the pay per click pricing model, this arrangement can be especially lucrative for bloggers and influencers whose primary strength is driving traffic and action.
📊 Korean YouTube Influencers by Follower Count
Korean influencers are available across multiple spaces and niches.
While beauty and social commentary currently dominate the landscape, many other genres, including gaming, travel, technology, mukbang, fashion, and even more are represented.
Here is a breakdown of the current prices charged by average YouTube influencers in Korea by their follower count:
Tier of Influence Influencers Follower Count Price Range
Nano Influencer 1,000 – 10,000 KRW 500,000 to 700,000 ($425 to $595 USD) Micro Influencer 10,001 – 100,000 KRW 900,000 to 1,800,000 ($765 to $1,530 USD) Mid Tier Influencer 100,001 – 1,000,000 KRW 1,500,000 to 2,400,000 ($1,270 to $2045 USD) Macro Influencer 1,000,001 – 5,000,000 KRW 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 ($1,700 to $2,550 USD) Mega Influencer 5,000,000+ KRW 2,500,000 to 3,500,000 ($2,100 to $2,977 USD)
🤷♀️ How to Find Korean YouTube Influencers
If you want to work with Korean YouTubers to promote your brand or product in Korea or abroad, you can search for suitable candidates through influencer marketing platforms.
Influencer marketing platforms are dedicated tools that allow brands to find influencers that meet their influence and marketing requirements.
Some popular influencer marketing platforms that cater to the Korean influencer marketing space include:
- Korean Brand Ambassador
Korean Brand Ambassador is a dedicated influencer marketing platform in Korea. The platform connects Korean influencers with brands looking to promote their products to Korean audiences.
Korean Brand Ambassador has managed campaigns for leading global brands including Mac, Coca Cola, and Puma.
- Hype Auditor
Hype Auditor is a well-known influencer marketing platform with a dedicated section that caters to the Korean influencer marketing space.
Hype Auditor has a comprehensive database of influencers available to brands looking to promote products in Korea.
Brands can also access comprehensive analysis and auditing tools that allow them to analyze followers, engagement rates, demographics, and much more.
- Scoop
Scoop is a dedicated influencer marketing platform that connects Korean influencers with brands.
Scoop has previously worked with leading brands like Antec, Innisfree, and Chicken Republic.
- Magicstep
Magicstep is another popular influencer marketing platform catering to the Korean influencer marketing space.
Magicstep boasts a comprehensive database of influencers across multiple niches.
The platform has managed influencer marketing campaigns for leading brands including Samsung, Hyundai, and Libero.
- Medialens
Medialens is another influencer marketing platform available to brands looking to connect with Korean influencers.
Medialens offers a comprehensive database of influencers along with detailed audience insights and analytics.
❗ Beware of Korean Fraud Services!
While there a number of reputable influencer marketing platforms available to brands looking to connect with Korean influencers, there are also a number of services that engage in fraud.
For example, earlier in 2023, a brand called The London Colony was found to be promoting fake influencer marketing platforms that were allegedly operating out of South Korea.
The platforms that were fake included Empress, Aura, Siren, and Queenly.
The fake influencer marketing platforms falsely promised to connect brands with influencers for a fee ranging between $5,000 to $35,000, only to disappear once the payment was made.
The fraudulent services have been reported to the South Korean authorities for investigation.
🚀 How to Work with Korean Influencers
If you are looking to fund a Korean influencer for your next marketing campaign, ensure that you follow these guidelines to onboard the right influencers.
- Align yourself with the right influencers
While there may be many influencers interested in working with your brand, not all of them are right for you.
Ensure that you do your research and only engage those influencers that align themselves with your brand’s values and mission.
- Set measurable objectives
Establish measurable KPIs before the launch of a campaign to ensure you can track the performance of your influencer marketing campaign.
- Respect Korean culture
Korean culture is unique and different from that of the West. Ensure that you account for this difference in your marketing campaign to avoid unintentional offense.
📅 Conclusion
If you’re looking to promote your product in Korea, you can attract a lot of attention by collaborating with Korean influencers on YouTube.
You can start by contacting influencers directly, or by signing up for an influencer marketing platform that specializes in connecting brands with influencers in Korea.