If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a BBQ brand looking to work with content creators . . . or maybe you’re a fellow creator trying to figure out how to make collaborations work without selling your soul. Either way, welcome.
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how I want to approach brand partnerships, sponsorships, and content creation, and one thing is clear: Honesty matters.
Too many companies expect creators to work for free or offer exposure as payment, while some genuinely want to support and grow the BBQ community but don’t know how to approach collaborations fairly. On the flip side, there are also creators who slap their name on anything just for some quick cash, making it harder for the people who actually care about what they promote.
That’s why I’ve decided to lay it all out in the open, how I approach collaborations, what’s fair, what’s not, and how we can all work together in a way that benefits both brands and content creators without any dodgy dealings.
If you’re a company looking to partner with me (or any creator, really), this will help you understand what’s fair and what isn’t.
If you’re a creator trying to navigate the BBQ world, this might help you set some boundaries and avoid being taken for a ride.
Either way, let’s talk transparency, honesty, and supporting the BBQ community the right way.
Why Transparency in BBQ Collaborations Matters
The BBQ community is built on trust—whether it’s recommending the best lumpwood charcoal, sharing cooking techniques, or giving an honest review of the latest bit of kit. If people can’t trust what you say, then what’s the point?
But when it comes to brand partnerships, things can get murky. Some companies expect creators to promote products they’ve never even used, while some influencers push anything for a quick payday, regardless of quality. Neither of these things help the BBQ world move forward.
So, let’s get real:
✔ Brands deserve fair exposure—If a company is investing in a collaboration, they should get genuine engagement, not just a forced sales pitch.
✔ Content creators deserve fair compensation—Quality content takes time, skill, and effort. Exposure doesn’t pay the bills.
✔ The BBQ community deserves honesty—People trust recommendations when they know they’re real. Fake hype helps no one.
That’s why I’ve set clear guidelines for how I work with brands. Whether it’s affiliate partnerships, ambassadorships, or content creation, the rules are simple: I only work with brands I believe in, and I’m upfront about how I do things.
So, how does that work in practice? Let’s break it down.
How I Work – My Fee Structure & What You Get
Let’s keep it simple. I don’t work for “exposure,” I don’t do forced promotions, and I won’t hype up something I don’t actually rate.
If I create content or promote a product, it’s because I genuinely believe in it—and because we’ve agreed on a fair deal that respects both my time and your brand’s investment.
Here’s how we can work together:
1. Content Creation – Custom BBQ content for your brand
High-quality, engaging BBQ content made just for you.
If you need professional BBQ content—whether it’s stunning photos, engaging reels, or a full recipe guide—I’ve got you covered.
Single Post (Facebook & Instagram) – £200
Reel (Facebook, Instagram & TikTok) – £300
Step-by-Step Recipe (Full Guide) – £400
Full Promo Package (Posts + Website Review) – £500
Honesty is key: All content remains my intellectual property, but you get a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use it—just credit Smoke & Sear.
Fair Value Exchange: If you’re sending high-end gear or premium products, that’s factored into the value of my services. I’ll always be upfront about whether it covers part of the cost or if extra payment is needed—because transparency works both ways.
2. Brand Ambassadorship – Long-term partnership with built-in content credit
Ongoing collaboration with flexible content creation options
A brand ambassadorship means consistent exposure for your brand while keeping things fair and flexible. Unlike a one-off deal, this is an ongoing partnership, where you receive content each month based on what you contribute.
Here’s how it works:
✔ Every ambassador brand automatically gets £200 credit per month towards my content creation services.
✔ If you send a high-value product up front, you build up credit—which means you can choose from my content creation services at my listed rates.
✔ If you send a lower-value product, you still get £200 worth of content, but naturally, the amount of content depends on the value.
✔ All ambassadorships are reviewed every 6 months to make sure the partnership is still beneficial for both sides.
Example scenarios:
High-value product (e.g., a £1,000 BBQ) – You’re in credit, so you can pick from my content creation services (see breakdown in the Content Creation section). If we agree on additional content beyond the credit, you can top up with more products or cash.
Lower-value product (e.g., a £50 accessory) – You still get £200 worth of content each month based on my content rates, but naturally, the amount of content will be less compared to a higher-value deal.
Honesty is key: If I test your product and don’t love it, I’ll let you know before posting anything. No fake hype, no forced promotions.
3. Affiliate Partnership – Earn-as-you-sell model
No upfront cost—just pay per sale.
If you want to boost sales without paying upfront, this is a low-risk option. I promote your product, and if my audience buys through my link, I take a small commission.
✔ Minimum 7.5% commission per sale
✔ No exclusivity—I can work with multiple brands
✔ Only promoting products I actually use and believe in
Honesty is key: I won’t attach my name to something I haven’t personally tested. If I don’t think your product fits my audience, I’ll be upfront about it.
4. Event Attendance, On-Site Training & Live Demos
In-person BBQ expertise at your event
From BBQ events and private functions to on-site training and live demos, I’m often asked to attend in person. While I love getting involved, the reality is that this takes a full day away from my own business—so I charge a standard daily rate to make it fair.
✔ Standard day rate: £500 per day
✔ Additional expenses apply (e.g., travel, accommodation if required)
✔ Ideal for brand activations, training sessions, store events, live cooking demonstrations, and private BBQ experiences
Why do I charge? I’ve worked in digital marketing, web development, and brand design for 20+ years, and as a self-employed professional, I charge a day rate for my work. While BBQ is my passion, taking a full day out for an event means stepping away from my business—so this fee ensures my time is fairly compensated.
Transparency & Small Print:
- Travel & accommodation costs will be agreed before booking.
- If an event requires multiple days, we’ll discuss a fair rate.
- I’ll only commit if I genuinely think I can add value to your event.
Let’s Talk!
If you’re a BBQ brand looking for real, authentic collaboration, I’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s an affiliate deal, brand ambassadorship, or content creation, we can work together in a way that’s fair, transparent, and actually benefits both of us.
At the very least, I hope this post has been helpful to other content creators out there. Too many brands expect people to work for free, and too many creators undervalue their work—but by being open and transparent, we can all set better standards, support the community, and build something real.
Let’s keep BBQ content honest, fair, and worth doing.
A Quick Note…
90% of what I cook, share, and post is purely off my own back—and that will never change. BBQ is my hobby, my passion, and I get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that hundreds of people visit my website daily, engaging with my content and probably firing up their grills using my recipes.
But for the brands that want to collaborate, that’s a different conversation.
I’ll continue to cook, experiment, and share my BBQ journey regardless—because at the end of the day, this is what I love doing.
