Saying NO today makes room for the right YES tomorrow.

I recently interviewed social media influencer, Alicia McCarvell, and she put it perfectly—when brands undervalue you, walking away isn’t just about self-respect; it’s about setting a standard for the entire creator economy. But too many content creators are afraid to say no. They take the lowball offers, the “for exposure” deals, and the projects that demand too much for too little. And while I get it—we all have bills to pay and want to build our portfolios—every time a creator undervalues their work, it makes it harder for everyone else to get paid fairly.

Brands are not in the business of paying creators more just because it’s the right thing to do. They pay what they can get away with. If enough creators say yes to undervaluation, it sets a precedent. And that precedent becomes the norm.

But here’s what happens when you start saying no:

• You establish your worth.

• You attract brands who respect your value.

• You create space for opportunities that align with your expertise and effort.

• You contribute to an industry where creators are taken seriously.

Saying no isn’t easy. It can feel like you’re shutting a door on a chance to grow. But a door that only leads to exploitation isn’t one worth walking through. The right opportunities, the ones that see and respect your value, won’t come if you’re constantly filling your time with the wrong ones.

The creator economy thrives when creators set the standard. If we want brands to respect our work, we have to respect it first.

So the next time you get that email offering “great exposure” or a budget that barely covers your editing software—remember this: Saying NO today makes room for the right YES tomorrow.

Have you ever had to walk away from an offer that undervalued your work?