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Free agency cost calculator

See what an agency commission really costs at your revenue level.

A headline percentage does not show the whole deal. Enter the numbers from the offer you are reviewing and compare the monthly cost, annualised cost and the approximate revenue growth required to offset management fees.

Compare the real cost of an agency offer

The starting numbers are examples, not market averages. Replace them with the exact figures from the offer you are reviewing.

Estimated monthly agency cost$3,000Commission plus the fixed and extra monthly costs you entered.
Amount left after entered management costs$7,000Before taxes and any platform, refund or chargeback costs not already included in your revenue figure.
Annualised management cost$36,000Twelve months at the same revenue and fee assumptions.
Approx. extra revenue needed to break even$4,286About 42.9% more monthly revenue would be needed for the amount left after management costs to match the original revenue figure, using the same assumptions.

Educational estimate only. Real agreements may calculate commission differently and may include platform fees, refunds, taxes, advertising, contractors or other deductions. Use the wording in the actual contract and statement.

Read the economics correctly

Compare the calculation base, not only the percentage.

Two agencies can advertise the same commission and produce very different creator payouts. The contract may calculate its percentage before or after platform fees, refunds or other deductions, and it may allow separate expenses for advertising, staff or production.

Ask what the percentage applies to

Request a written example using a realistic month. The example should start with platform revenue and end with the amount paid to you, showing every deduction in between.

Model more than one revenue level

Run a conservative month, your current month and a stronger month. A revenue-share agreement becomes more expensive in absolute terms as the account grows, so the service needs to keep justifying its cost.

Compare cost with the work being delegated

Commission makes more sense when the agency is taking responsibility for valuable work you would otherwise need to perform or hire for yourself. Ask who actually delivers strategy, traffic, messaging, operations and reporting.

Next check

Cost is only one part of the agency decision.

A cheap contract can still be a poor fit when access, exclusivity, communication or exit terms are weak. Review the written structure before deciding whether the economics are worth accepting.