Key takeaways
- At a 30% commission, your revenue needs to grow by about 43% before you take home the same amount as today.
- An agency can still make sense without that growth if the time you get back is worth more to you.
- If you enjoy the chats and your workload is manageable, a part-time chatter may be all you need.
How much does your revenue need to grow?
Say you make $8,000 a month after the platform fee. With a 30% commission you would keep $5,600 of that, so you need about $11,430 in revenue to take home the same $8,000 as before. That is growth of around 43%, and the higher the commission, the more it takes.
| Commission | Growth you need | Revenue to keep $8,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 25% | about 33% | $10,667 |
| 30% | about 43% | $11,429 |
| 40% | about 67% | $13,333 |
| 50% | 100% | $16,000 |
These are example numbers, and you can try your own in our commission calculator. It helps to run a flat month through it as well, so you know what you would take home if growth takes longer than planned.
When does an agency pay off without that growth?
Money is only one side of it. If you spend 30 hours a week in chats and on social media, it is fair to ask what those hours are worth to you. Plenty of creators are happy to keep a little less in exchange for free evenings, or because they finally have time to shoot more.
That extra content often feeds back into your revenue, so the two effects tend to go together. It is still worth deciding up front which one you are paying for, because it makes it much easier to judge later whether the agency is doing its job.
When are you better off without an agency?
If you like chatting with your fans and those conversations bring in a large part of your income, handing them over may cost you more than it saves. The same goes for a smaller page where the work still fits into your week. In both cases, a part-time chatter or a scheduling tool can solve the problem for a fraction of the cost.
An agency also makes little sense if you are not ready to hand anything over. A team can only help if it is allowed to change things, so it is better to wait than to pay for advice you will not follow.
What should you check before you sign?
Ask how the commission is calculated, because some agencies only count new revenue while others, like us, take a share of everything after the platform fee. Then find out exactly what is included, who holds the login and payouts, and how quickly you can leave. Our guide to reviewing an agency contract walks through the clauses that matter most.
Frequently asked questions
Does an agency take commission on what I already earn?
Often it does, including at Drippy, where the share applies to all revenue after the platform fee. Some agencies handle this differently, so ask before you sign and get the answer in writing.
How long should I give an agency to show results?
A few months is a fair test, because chat and marketing changes take time to show up in your revenue. Agree on what you will look at together before you start, so you can judge the results on facts.
Can I try an agency and go back to running my page alone?
Yes, as long as the contract allows it and you keep your account and payouts in your own name. With us you can cancel monthly, and your account stays yours the whole time.
Would you like to see what this looks like for your page? Tell us a bit about it and we will go through the numbers with you.