How to Turn Creator Economy Live (Jan 13–14, 2026) into Direct Revenue: A Tactical Playbook for Creators

Why this moment matters (short, dated facts)

• Creator Economy Live West: Jan 13–14, 2026 — Caesars Forum, Las Vegas; brands attending include Google, PepsiCo, NVIDIA, New Balance and many others. ^[2]
• IAB: U.S. creator ad spend projected at $37B in 2025 — brands want measurable ROI and are actively buying creator partnerships. ^[3]
• Influencer pricing is mature: micro and mid‑tier creators can realistically price single sponsored posts in the hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars depending on reach and deliverables (benchmarks below). Use fixed fees + performance to de‑risk deals for brands. ^[4]

Before the event: Productize & price what brands actually buy

1) Create 3 convertable packages (0 → Deal in 14 days)

2) Build a 60‑second “deal demo” and a 1‑page media kit

• 60s video: show audience demo (top geos, typical CPM/CPE if known), 1 past campaign outcome, and the explicit offer you’re selling at the event (e.g., “3 Shorts + affiliate; $5k; guaranteed X clicks”).
• 1‑page PDF: metrics (engagement rate, sample CTRs), deliverables, timelines, clear legal/copyright notes and two payment terms (50% deposit for production; remainder on launch + 30‑day reporting).

At the event: meetings that close

3) Prioritize meetings with a close plan (not “let’s talk”)

• Use organizer matchmaking (CEL Meetings Power Hour) but always attach a specific agenda to meeting invites: “15 min — test campaign (Nov–Feb) — scope & budget.” ^[8]
• Carry printed media kits and a 1‑page contract template (SOW + fees + timeline + KPIs). Brands can sign on the spot if you remove friction.

4) Live demo + limited offer tactic (creates urgency)

Example: “Sign here at CEL and receive a 15% launch discount + 2 weeks of paid amplification (I’ll manage) — available to three brands only.” This converts exploratory interest into immediate commitments.

Pricing & negotiation cheat‑sheet (benchmarks)

Turn meetings into ongoing revenue (post‑event system)

5) Convert pilots into retainers in 30 days

• Pilot contract: 4‑week pilot, measured outcomes, predictable price. After pilot ends, pitch a quarterly retainer with performance SLAs and a mutual cancellation clause.
• Metrics to anchor price: CPC, CPA, link conversions, and attributed revenue. Brands increasingly expect measurable attribution for creator spend. ^[14]

6) Sell repeatable products at the event (high margin)

• One‑hour paid strategy sessions (on‑site or virtual) — $250–$1,000.
• Turnkey content bundles (e.g., “Holiday Launch Pack”: 6 shorts + 3 static assets + affiliate setup) — priced at 2–4x production cost.
• Workshops for brand teams: $5k–$20k for a half/full day.

Examples & real numbers

How to use the event to get better deals (3 advanced plays)

Play A — The BrandMatch Offer

Create a short application for “BrandMatch” gifts (free product sample + 15‑minute demo). Invite brands at CEL to be considered — you screen for fit and then offer a discounted pilot to the best matches. This creates exclusivity and a pipeline.

Play B — Data‑First Pitch (beats charisma)

Open meetings with a 30‑second data slide: audience country split, last‑90‑day CTRs, sample sales conversion (if available). Brands buy confidence — data does that for you. IAB research shows brands increasingly demand measurement and standards when buying creators. ^[15]

Play C — Packaged Live Content

Offer to create a CEL recap (2–3 short clips) that brands can sponsor. You produce the content at cost and offer the brand an exclusive sponsor slot (visibility + link). It’s a low‑risk trial for brands and a high‑margin upsell for you.

Logistics checklist — the 24‑hour preflight

• Digital: updated media kit (PDF + link), 60s deal demo video, two contract templates (pilot + retainer), Stripe/PayPal/contract signing solution ready.
• On‑site: 40 printed one‑pagers, business cards, portable card reader, branded table card with “Sign at CEL — limited discount.”
• Meeting prep: 6 target brands (why you, what you’ll deliver, price ranges), calendar links preloaded, and a 5‑minute ask for each meeting (sign, pilot, or follow‑up call).

What success looks like (metrics to track)

• Deals closed at event (signed + deposit) — immediate cash.
• Pilots started within 14 days — pipeline that converts to retainers.
• Average deal value (target): micro $3k–$8k; mid $10k–$50k; macro $50k+. ^[16]
• Cost of attendance recovery: aim to recover travel + 2 days of lost output within 30 days (via signed deals or immediate workshops).

“If your pitch is a blank slide that says ‘let’s collaborate,’ you’ll leave with LinkedIn connections. Show what you sell and price it.” — Tactical note for creators attending Jan 13–14, 2026.

Summary & Actionable Takeaways