Pricing paid ads management: setup, fee, % of spend, and the minimum contract

Rafael Mendes · 2026-10-07

Models

There are several pricing models for paid ads management. The most common include:

• Flat Setup Fee: A one-time charge to set up the initial campaigns. It generally ranges from R$ 500 to R$ 5.000, depending on the complexity.

• Monthly Fee: A fixed amount charged monthly, which can range from R$ 1.000 to R$ 10.000, depending on the size of the operation and the media buyer’s expertise.

• % of Spend: A fee based on the total amount invested in ads, which can range from 10% to 20%. This model is common for agencies that work with high ad spend.

Ranges by niche

Rates can vary depending on the market niche. Here are some examples:

• E-commerce: Setup from R$ 1.000 to R$ 3.000, monthly fee from R$ 2.000 to R$ 8.000, and 10% to 15% of spend.

• Nutra: Setup from R$ 1.500 to R$ 4.000, monthly fee from R$ 2.500 to R$ 7.000, and 15% to 20% of spend.

• Dropshipping: Setup from R$ 500 to R$ 2.500, monthly fee from R$ 1.000 to R$ 5.000, and 10% to 15% of spend.

• Affiliates: Rates can vary more, with setup from R$ 300 to R$ 1.500, monthly fee from R$ 500 to R$ 3.000, and 10% to 20% of spend.

Exclusivity

Exclusivity is an important point in negotiations. If you’re going to work with a client in a specific niche, you can include an exclusivity clause in the contract. This typically justifies a higher fee and ensures the media buyer won’t work with direct competitors for the duration of the contract.

90-day contract

A minimum 90-day contract is recommended so the media buyer has enough time to optimize campaigns and achieve satisfactory results. This provides a reasonable period to test different creatives, targeting, and bidding strategies. During this period, it’s essential to have monthly meetings to align expectations and review results.

Payment

There are different ways to charge:

• Monthly: The client pays a fixed amount every month.

• Tiered: The fee increases as ad spend grows.

• Performance-based: A fixed fee, plus a bonus for results achieved (e.g., ROI).

A good practice is to always formalize the proposal in a contract, detailing all costs and terms to avoid future misunderstandings.

What investment range do you typically work with for your paid ads management?