Case: Pricing exclusivity by category added $6k/quarter

Case: Pricing exclusivity by category added $6k/quarter
A creator gave brands category exclusivity for free, then couldn't take competing deals. Opportunity cost was invisible until she added it up.

We turned exclusivity into a priced, time-boxed line item:

Rule set:
— Exclusivity is never free; minimum +40% on the base deal
— Always time-boxed (30/60/90 days), never open-ended
— Category-specific, not blanket (e.g. "no other VPNs," not "no other tech")

Decision rule: if a brand wants exclusivity, then quote the window and the premium, and ask what they're protecting against.

Result: 2 brands paid the exclusivity premium ($2,400 + $1,800), and one declined — freeing her to take a $1,900 competing deal. Net add: ~$6,100/quarter that used to be given away.

Checklist when exclusivity comes up:
— Premium applied (40% floor)?
— Time-boxed?
— Category-scoped, not blanket?