BrandTreatyBrand deals have fine print.
We help you read it.
Plain-English guides for creators who run their own brand deals — usage rights, contracts, rates, exclusivity, and getting paid on time. No jargon. No fluff. Just what protects your money.
Red FlagsWho Owns Your Content? "Work-for-Hire" and the Clause That Sells Your Work
Some contracts don't just license your content — they take it. Here's the difference between a license, an assignment, and 'work-for-hire,' and how to keep what's yours.
Usage RightsUsage Rights, Explained: What You're Actually Giving a Brand When You Sign (2026)
Usage rights are the most expensive part of a brand deal — and the part creators give away by accident. Here's exactly what you're agreeing to, and how to protect it.
RatesUGC Rates 2026: How to Price Your Videos (No Follower Count Required)
UGC is priced on the work, not your audience — so you don't need a big following to charge well. Here are real 2026 ranges, plus the add-ons most creators forget.
CareerHow to Manage Your Own Brand Deals Without a Manager (2026)
A manager takes ~20% — for work you can often do yourself. Here's the honest math, plus the simple system to run your own deals without dropping a ball.
RatesInstagram vs. TikTok vs. YouTube: What to Charge on Each Platform (2026)
The same creator is worth different amounts on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube — because each platform is priced differently. Here's how to charge on each in 2026.
ExclusivityHow Much Extra Should You Charge for Exclusivity?
Exclusivity means turning down other deals — so it should never be free. Here's how to price it based on how long, how broad, and how much work you'd be giving up.
Red FlagsFTC Rules for Creators in 2026: How to Disclose a Paid Partnership the Right Way
If a brand gives you money or free product, the FTC says you have to disclose it — clearly. Here's what counts as a connection, and how to label it the right way.
Getting PaidGetting Paid for Brand Deals: The Payment Terms Every Creator Should Demand
Most late payments are baked into the contract before you start. Here are the payment terms every creator should ask for — and the ones that quietly cost you.
Getting PaidWhy You Should Ask for 50% Upfront — and Exactly How to Say It
A deposit is the simplest way to protect yourself from ghosting and never-ending 'pay later.' Here's why 50% upfront is normal — and the exact scripts to ask for it.
Usage RightsAI & Likeness Clauses: Can a Brand Clone You? What to Check Before You Sign
A new clause is showing up in brand deals: the right to recreate your face and voice with AI. Here's what it means, what the law covers in 2026, and how to protect yourself.
CareerYour First Brand Deal: How to Handle the Contract Like a Pro
Your first brand deal is exciting — don't let nerves rush you into signing. Here's how to handle the contract like a pro, even with a small following.
Usage Rights"In Perpetuity" Is Costing You Money: The One Word to Never Sign for Free
"In perpetuity" means forever — and for a flat fee, it's the most expensive thing a creator can give away. Here's how to spot it, price it, or swap it for a fair window.
Red FlagsHow to Read a Brand Deal Contract: A Plain-English Guide for Creators (2026)
A brand contract has about ten standard sections. Once you know the map — and the five parts that touch your money — any contract becomes readable in minutes.
Getting PaidHow to Chase a Late Invoice Without Feeling Awkward (Free Email Templates)
Chasing a late payment feels awkward — but it's just business. Here's a calm, professional sequence to get paid, with copy-paste email templates for every stage.
ExclusivityExclusivity Clauses in Brand Deals: How to Read One Before You Sign (2026)
An exclusivity clause can quietly block you from months of other deals. Here's how to read one, spot the catch-all traps, and charge what it's really worth.
Usage RightsHow Much Should You Charge for Usage Rights? A Creator's Pricing Guide (2026)
Usage rights are the most valuable thing you hand a brand — and the most underpriced. Here's a plain-English guide to pricing them, with real 2026 numbers and word-for-word lines to counter "all rights."
RatesBrand Deal Rates 2026: What Creators Actually Charge (by Platform & Tier)
What do creators actually charge in 2026? Real ranges by platform and tier — plus why engagement beats follower count, and the add-ons where the real money hides.
Red Flags10 Red Flags to Spot in Any Brand Deal Contract (Before You Sign)
A brand deal contract is boring — until one line costs you money, your content, or your next deal. Here are the 10 red flags to spot in two minutes, and exactly what to say to fix each one.