Negotiating your revenue share as a co-producer is one of the most important steps in course co-production. The right deal can make the difference between long-term profitability and wasted effort.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✅ How revenue-sharing works in co-production
✅ Factors that determine your percentage
✅ How to negotiate a fair deal
✅ Red flags to avoid in co-production agreements
Understanding Revenue Sharing in Course Co-Production
Revenue sharing is the percentage of sales each party receives from a course. In a co-production agreement, this is usually divided between:
🎥 The Producer (Course Creator) – The expert who provides the content
📈 The Co-Producer (Marketer/Business Manager) – The person handling sales, marketing, and operations
There is no fixed rule for revenue splits—it all depends on who brings the most value to the table.
Common Revenue-Sharing Models
Here are the most common ways revenue is split in co-production partnerships:
1️⃣ 50/50 Split – Equal Partnership
✔️ Works well if both parties invest equal time and money
✔️ The producer creates high-quality content, and the co-producer fully manages sales and marketing
✔️ Both partners share responsibilities equally
📌 Best for: Balanced partnerships where both contribute equally.
2️⃣ 60/40 or 70/30 Split – More for the Producer
✔️ The producer has a strong personal brand or existing audience
✔️ The course is already partially created and just needs marketing
✔️ The co-producer is handling sales, but the producer actively participates in promotion
📌 Best for: Well-known influencers or established experts with a large following.
3️⃣ 40/60 or 30/70 Split – More for the Co-Producer
✔️ The co-producer invests in paid ads and takes on financial risks
✔️ The producer has no audience and relies entirely on marketing
✔️ The co-producer handles all operations, sales, and support
📌 Best for: High-risk deals where the co-producer does the heavy lifting.
4️⃣ 20/80 Split or Fixed Payment – Co-Producer as a Service Provider
✔️ The producer hires the co-producer like a service provider
✔️ The co-producer is paid a flat fee or a small percentage
✔️ The producer wants full ownership of the course
📌 Best for: Cases where the co-producer is doing short-term consulting instead of long-term revenue sharing.
Factors That Influence Revenue Share
Before negotiating, consider these factors that impact your share of the revenue:
1. Who is Investing More Money?
💰 If you are paying for ads, software, and tech, you should get a higher revenue percentage.
✅ Example: If you’re spending $5,000 on ads, but the producer isn’t investing any money, you deserve at least 60% or more.
2. Who is Taking More Risk?
If the course fails, who loses more?
✅ If the co-producer is paying for everything, they should earn a higher percentage.
✅ If both parties share the investment, a 50/50 split makes sense.
3. Does the Producer Have an Existing Audience?
If the producer has:
✔️ A large audience (Instagram, YouTube, Email List)
✔️ A strong brand that drives sales organically
✔️ A proven track record of course sales
Then they deserve a higher percentage. However, if they have no audience, you should negotiate a bigger cut.
4. Who is Handling Operations & Customer Support?
🚀 If the co-producer is also:
✅ Managing student support
✅ Handling refunds and chargebacks
✅ Building landing pages and sales funnels
Then they should receive more revenue.
How to Negotiate a Fair Revenue Share
Step 1: Clearly Define Your Role & Value
Before discussing percentages, make sure the producer understands what you bring to the table.
💬 Example Conversation:
👉 “I’ll be handling all the marketing, sales funnels, paid ads, and student support. My role is to turn your knowledge into a high-revenue business. Let’s discuss a fair revenue split based on our contributions.”
Step 2: Present Data & Industry Standards
Back up your negotiation with examples from the market.
📊 Example Pitch:
👉 “In most co-productions, the marketer takes 50-70% when they’re covering ad costs and managing operations. Since I’ll be investing in paid traffic, I propose a 60/40 split in my favor.”
Step 3: Use a Trial-Based Approach
If the producer is unsure, propose a test phase.
💬 Example Offer:
👉 “Let’s start with a 50/50 split for the first launch. If I’m bringing in most of the revenue, we can adjust it to 60/40 in my favor moving forward.”
Step 4: Offer Incentives Instead of More Percentage
If the producer doesn’t want to give up revenue, ask for other benefits:
✅ Exclusive rights to handle future launches
✅ Higher percentage for upsells & coaching offers
✅ A fixed monthly payment in addition to revenue share
📌 Example Deal: “I’ll accept 50/50, but I want a 70% share on coaching upsells and premium memberships.”
Red Flags to Watch Out For in Revenue-Sharing Deals
🚨 1. The Producer Wants You to Work for Free First
❌ “Let’s see how the course sells, and then we’ll decide on your cut.”
✅ Solution: Always sign an agreement before starting.
🚨 2. No Clear Agreement on Expenses
❌ “You handle ads, and we’ll split the profits later.”
✅ Solution: Define who pays for what upfront.
🚨 3. No Contract or Legal Protection
❌ “Let’s keep it verbal; we don’t need paperwork.”
✅ Solution: Always have a written agreement to protect your revenue.
Final Thoughts – Negotiating a Win-Win Revenue Share
A strong negotiation ensures both partners are fairly rewarded while maintaining a profitable business.
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Decide on a fair split based on investment and risk
✔️ Factor in marketing costs, audience size, and workload
✔️ Use industry benchmarks to justify your percentage
✔️ Start with a trial model if needed
✔️ Always have a written contract before launching
By following these steps, you’ll secure profitable co-production deals and build a long-term income stream. 🚀
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