A customer asks for a ten-minute custom video. You agree on a price, record it, send it, and move on.
Easy money, right?
Not necessarily.
What about the time you spent discussing the request? Getting ready? Setting up your camera? Recording several takes because something didn't work? Editing the video afterward?
Suddenly, those ten minutes have taken up a significant part of your afternoon.
If you're selling custom content, learning how to price your work properly is just as important as creating it.
You're not just charging for the finished video
When someone orders personalized content, they're paying for your time, creative effort, and the fact that you're producing something specifically for them.
A custom request is different from a video you've already made and can sell repeatedly.
That's why copying another creator's prices without understanding their workflow isn't always a good idea.
Start by calculating how much time you're actually spending on each order, including communication and preparation.
Let's say your goal is to earn $40 per working hour. If a custom video takes you two hours from start to finish, charging $30 probably doesn't make much sense.
Of course, your actual rate depends on your experience, demand, production requirements, and the platform you're using.
Be careful with the phrase "just one small thing"
Anyone who has worked with custom requests knows how quickly a simple order can grow.
A customer might ask for a different outfit, a longer recording, an additional edit, or another version of the video.
Individually, these changes might sound minor. Together, they can turn a profitable order into a frustrating one.
Agree on the details before recording and make it clear when additional work requires an additional fee.
This isn't being difficult. It's running your business professionally.
You don't need to compete on being the cheapest
Lowering your prices might attract attention, but it can also create expectations that become difficult to maintain.
Instead of asking yourself, "What's the lowest price someone might accept?" try asking, "What price makes this request worthwhile for me?"
A smaller number of fairly priced orders can sometimes be more sustainable than a large volume of requests that leave you exhausted.
Saying no is part of the job
Not every request deserves a yes.
If a customer pushes you to lower your price, ignores your boundaries, or asks for something prohibited by your platform, you're allowed to decline.
You don't need to justify your decision with a long explanation.
A polite "That's not something I offer" is perfectly professional.
And remember: before agreeing to custom content, make sure the request complies with the platform's rules and that payment, usage permissions, and delivery expectations are clear.
Make your prices work for you
If custom content has started taking more time than you expected, review your last few orders.
How long did they really take? What did you earn after platform fees? Would you accept the same requests again at those prices?
At BoleynModels, we believe creators should approach their work as a business. That includes understanding what their time is worth and making decisions that support long-term income, not just the next sale.
You can always adjust your prices as your experience and demand grow. Your first price list doesn't have to be your permanent one.
