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Guides

Brand Deal Guides

Short, plain-English answers to the questions creators ask before, during, and after a brand deal.
Start hereHow Brand Deal Pricing WorksWhat drives the price of a deal, with no numbers to anchor you.Start hereWhat Is a Brand Deal?The types, the stages, and what to get in writing.Start hereBrand Deal Red Flags and Your RightsThe terms and behaviors to look at twice.

Pricing and rates

4 guides

How Brand Deal Pricing WorksWhat drives the price of a deal, with no numbers to anchor you.How to Think About Your Minimum RateWhy a floor beats a guess, and what goes into it.How to Build a Rate CardHow to structure packages and add-ons for usage and exclusivity.What Goes in a Media KitWhat brands look for and how to keep it short.

Rights and contracts

8 guides

Usage Rights ExplainedWhere, how long, and in what form a brand can use your content.Exclusivity Clauses ExplainedWhat exclusivity blocks and why it should be paid.Brand Deal Red Flags and Your RightsThe terms and behaviors to look at twice.Brand Deal Contract ChecklistWhat to check before you sign.How to Evaluate a Brand OfferHow to decide whether a deal is worth taking.Gifting vs Paid vs ContraWhen free product is worth it and when to say no.Kill Fees and CancellationsWhat happens when a brand cancels.FTC Disclosure BasicsHow to tell your audience a post is sponsored.

Getting paid

3 guides

Net Terms and Late PaymentsHow payment terms work and how to follow up.What to Do When a Brand Pays LateSteps to take and what to change next time.What Every Creator Invoice NeedsWhat belongs on an invoice so it gets paid.

After you sign and working with a team

4 guides

After You Sign ChecklistDeliverables, approvals, posting, and follow-up.How to Keep Track of Usage RightsWhy rights expire and how to log them.How Exclusivity Conflicts Happen Across DealsHow overlapping categories and dates cause problems.How Brand Deals Work With a Manager, Agent, or PublicistCommissions, approvals, and visibility.
Reviewed by Chris Cavell, Founder of StarlightIQ
AI-assisted, human-verifiedLast updated

This page is educational and not legal advice. For large or complex agreements, have a lawyer review the contract.