Guide
Sponsorship red flags to avoid
Most brand partnerships are straightforward, but a few patterns reliably lead to wasted work or unpaid invoices. Learning to spot them early saves you the more painful lesson later. Trust the deal, but read it.
Payment in "exposure" or free product only
Free product can be a fair trade for very small channels or genuinely premium gear, but "exposure" is not payment. If a brand can afford to ship product to dozens of creators, it can afford to pay. Be especially wary when a brand insists your audience is the real beneficiary — that is a framing to justify a zero-dollar deal.
Scope creep and unlimited revisions
Watch for vague deliverables that expand after you agree a price: extra platforms, more revisions, added talking points, a tighter deadline. Pin down exactly what is included in writing before you start — number of videos, runtime, revision rounds, and approval timeline — so "one small change" does not become unpaid re-edits.
Perpetual or paid-ads usage rights for free
There is a big difference between a brand re-sharing your video and the brand running your face in paid ads forever. Usage rights, especially perpetual or paid-media usage, are a separate, valuable line item. If a contract grants broad usage with no extra fee, flag it and price it.
Sketchy products and slow payment
Protect your credibility: avoid products you would not use, anything that risks misleading your audience, and categories that could breach platform rules. On terms, get payment timing in writing — net-30 is common, but "after the video performs" or no stated terms is a warning sign. A 50% deposit upfront is a reasonable ask for larger deals.
Frequently asked questions
Is free product ever a fair deal?
Sometimes — for a small channel or genuinely high-value product it can make sense. But "exposure" alone is not payment, and an established brand shipping to many creators can afford to pay cash.
What should I check about payment terms?
Get the amount, the schedule (e.g. net-30), and the trigger for payment in writing before you publish. Avoid deals tied vaguely to performance, and consider a deposit upfront for larger projects.