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Red flags in brand deals and UGC contracts that keep burning creators
Posted by on March 27, 2026 at 11:26 pmBeen seeing a lot of stories lately about creators getting lowballed or locked into rough deals, and it got me thinking about all the contract stuff that quietly screws people over.
After watching mates (and getting burned myself early on) sign things they regretted, here are the red flags I always check now before saying yes to any brand or UGC gig:
- Long exclusivity for tiny pay — locking you out of other brands for 6–12 months while the money barely covers your time.
- Vague "unlimited usage rights" with no extra compensation.
- Unlimited revisions or "until approved" with zero timeline or kill fee if they drag their feet.
- Payment terms like net 60/90 days or tied to some vague final approval that never comes.
- No clear list of deliverables, revision rounds, or what happens if the brand ghosts.
These ones turn what looks like a quick win into months of extra unpaid work or lost opportunities. Especially with UGC and smaller deals, the restrictions often aren't worth the rate.
What's the worst clause or red flag you've spotted (or actually signed) in a brand/UGC contract? Curious to hear what else people are running into out there.
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1 Reply
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the net 60/90 thing is crazy common and nobody talks about it enough. i had a creator ghost me once because i took too long to pay (it was the agency dragging their feet not me) and now i just do net 15 for everyone under $500. saves so much headache on both sides honestly
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