Brand deal & UGC contract template
A brand deal contract is a simple written agreement between a creator and a brand that sets out the deliverables, usage rights, timeline, and payment — so both sides know exactly what was agreed. Below is a plain-English checklist of everything a creator contract should cover.
This is general information and a template to work from, not legal advice. Laws differ by country and situation — adapt it to your circumstances, and get professional advice for anything significant or unusual.
What every creator contract should cover
- 1
The parties
The full legal names of both sides — you (or your business) and the brand's contracting entity — plus contacts. Vague parties make an agreement hard to enforce.
- 2
Deliverables
Exactly what you're creating: the format, the platform, the quantity, and any specs (length, aspect ratio, must-mention points). Ambiguity here is where scope creep starts.
- 3
Usage rights
How, where, and for how long the brand can use the content — organic only, paid ads, whitelisting, and the licence period. This is often the most valuable clause; see usage rights explained.
- 4
Timeline
The delivery date for content, the posting date(s), and the overall campaign period. Tie each deliverable to a date so deadlines are unambiguous.
- 5
Payment
The fee, the payment terms (net 14 or net 30), the method, any deposit, and what happens if payment is late. State the total clearly and separate the usage rights fee.
- 6
Approvals & revisions
How the brand reviews and approves content, and how many rounds of revisions the fee covers (two is common). This protects you from endless changes.
- 7
Exclusivity
Whether you're agreeing not to work with competing brands, in which category, and for how long. Exclusivity restricts your future income, so it should be paid for and time-limited.
- 8
Content ownership
Who owns the raw footage and the final content. By default you usually retain ownership and licence use to the brand — make sure that's what the contract says.
- 9
Ad disclosure
A requirement that the content is properly disclosed as an ad (for example #ad), in line with the advertising rules in your country. This protects both sides.
- 10
Cancellation & kill fee
What happens if either side pulls out — notice required, and any kill fee you're paid for work already done. Don't leave this to goodwill.
Work through the ten sections above and you have a clear agreement. The two worth getting most precise are usage rights and payment — they're where creators most often lose money to a vague deal. Once terms are agreed, invoice from them and keep the deal, its dates, and its payment status in one place.
Creator contract questions
Agreed the deal? Track it to paid.
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