Why the old video pricing rules do not transfer directly
Traditional video pricing is built around a day rate: crew, equipment, location, and hours of editing afterward. When a video takes you thirty minutes of prompting and generation instead of a full day of shooting, quoting a day rate either overcharges an easy job or, more often, makes you feel like you should charge less because it did not take long. Neither is the right instinct.
The client is not paying for your hours. They are paying for a finished, usable piece of content that would have cost far more to produce the old way. Price the outcome, not the clock.
A simple tier structure that works
Starting price ranges by deliverable
| Tier | What it includes | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Single social clip | One AI-generated clip, 15-30 seconds, for one platform | $75-$200 |
| Multi-shot short video | 3-6 shots edited together into one cohesive video with music | $250-$600 |
| Branded video with consistent character or product | Identity-locked subject across multiple shots, matched to brand assets | $500-$1,500+ |
| Ongoing content package | Recurring monthly batch of clips, e.g. 4-8 videos a month | Custom retainer |
These are starting ranges, not a fixed menu. A local client's first social clip and an established brand's product launch video are not the same job, even if both technically fit the same tier.
Building in the revision buffer
AI video generation is fast, but it is not always right on the first try. Quote every tier with a set number of included revisions, usually two rounds, so re-rolling a shot that came out wrong is expected and covered rather than eating into your margin on every job.
How to present the quote
- Lead with the deliverable and where it will be used, not the process you used to make it.
- Show the tier range, then give one specific number based on their actual request.
- State the number of included revisions upfront so it is not a surprise later.
- If they push back on price, offer the tier below rather than discounting the same deliverable.
Short, practical drops on income paths, prompts that work, packaging for views, and getting paid. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked questions
Should I price AI video work by the hour?
No. Hourly pricing punishes you for working fast and undersells the value of the finished deliverable. Price by what the client receives and where they will use it, not by how long generation took.
How do I quote a client who wants something outside these tiers?
Use the closest tier as a starting anchor, then adjust up or down based on how many shots, how much brand-specific setup, and how many revisions the request actually needs.
What if a client says AI video should be cheaper than filmed video?
Reframe the comparison around the deliverable and turnaround, not the production method. A usable branded clip in two days is the value being sold, not the fact that a camera crew was not involved.
How many revisions should be included in a quote?
Two rounds is a reasonable default for most tiers. State it in writing before the job starts so both sides know where the included work ends.
Last reviewed by David on August 6, 2026
