I can't believe I have to say this: Commission is not a "paid collaboration." Commission is a commission.

You work, the brand profits, and you only get paid if sales happen. That's not collaboration. That's you doing unpaid labor with a maybe attached to it.

Real collaboration means you get paid for your TIME and your WORK.

Full stop.

If a brand only wants to pay you on commission, they're betting their success on your audience and not willing to risk a dollar to find out. That's the tell right there.