What Payment Terms to Use for Brand Deals
Payment terms are one of the most overlooked parts of a brand deal. Most creators accept whatever the brand proposes — or worse, don't discuss terms at all and just hope they get paid within a reasonable time. That approach works until it doesn't, and then it really doesn't.
Understanding payment terms, knowing which ones to request, and being able to negotiate them confidently is one of the most practical financial skills a content creator, UGC creator, or influencer can develop. Here is what you need to know.
What Payment Terms Actually Mean
Payment terms define when a brand is required to pay you after receiving your invoice. The most common formats you'll see are Net 14 (payment due 14 days after the invoice date), Net 30 (30 days — the most widely used standard), Net 45 or Net 60 (common with larger brands and agencies), Due on receipt (rare in brand deals), a 50/50 split (50% upfront before work begins, 50% on delivery — standard for higher-value projects), and milestone-based terms tied to specific deliverable stages. For full guidance on what to put on the invoice itself, see how to invoice a brand as a content creator.
Which Terms to Use and When
Net 14 or Net 30
Net 30 is the most accepted standard and will rarely be questioned. Net 14 is reasonable to request for smaller or newer brands, or for projects under $500. Start with Net 14 — if the brand pushes back, Net 30 is an easy concession.
50% upfront
For any deal over $1,000, requesting a deposit before you start work is standard practice. It protects you if the brand cancels mid-production and reduces your cash flow exposure. Most professional brands expect this request.
100% upfront
For brands you haven't worked with before and can't verify, requesting full payment before delivery is a legitimate position. You may lose some deals, but you won't lose your time producing content that never gets paid for.
Net 45 or Net 60
Enterprise brands and agencies often have fixed payment cycles that can't be changed. If Net 60 is non-negotiable, request a larger deposit to offset the wait, or factor the timeline into your cash flow planning.
Never accept Net 90 or longer without a deposit. Waiting three months for payment is a significant cash flow burden. If a brand insists on Net 90, ask for 50% upfront and Net 90 on the remainder — this is a reasonable counter that most brands will accept.
How to Negotiate Better Payment Terms
Most creators accept the first payment terms a brand proposes without question. This is a mistake — payment terms are negotiable, and brands rarely push back hard when creators ask for something reasonable.
Raise your terms early, not late
The best time to discuss payment terms is when you send your rate, not after the brand has already committed to working with you. Once the deal is agreed in principle, changing terms feels like moving the goalposts. If you raise them as part of your initial proposal, they're just part of the package.
Frame it as standard practice
Saying "my standard payment terms are Net 14" is far more effective than "can I get paid faster?" It positions your terms as a professional baseline rather than a special request, which makes brands much more likely to accept without question.
Offer something in return for faster payment
If a brand is resistant to shorter terms, a small early payment discount can unlock faster payment — for example, a 2% discount if payment is received within 7 days. This is a standard commercial practice known as an early payment discount, and many brands' finance teams are familiar with it.
Payment Methods — What to Accept and What to Avoid
| Method | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer (BACS/SEPA/ACH) | Most brand deals — low cost, reliable | International transfers may take 3–5 days and incur fees |
| Wise (international) | Cross-border deals — low fees, fast | Brand needs to set up an account if they haven't already |
| PayPal | Smaller deals, US-based brands | Fees on receiving payments; some brands refuse it |
| Stripe / payment link | Brands that prefer card payments | Processing fees (typically 1.4–2.9%) come out of your payment |
| Cheque / check | Some US brands still use these | Slow to clear, inconvenient — accept only when no alternative exists |
| Crypto | Rare; occasionally offered by tech brands | Volatility risk; tax complications; not recommended as primary method |
Always specify your preferred payment method on the invoice. Including your bank details, PayPal address, or payment link directly on the invoice removes friction and reduces the time between sending and receiving payment.
Late Payment Interest — Should You Include It?
Many creators don't know that they can legally charge interest on late payments — in the UK, Australia, and much of the EU, this is a statutory right. In the US and Canada, it's contractual rather than statutory, but still enforceable if it's written into your agreement.
Including a late payment interest clause — typically 1.5–2% per month on overdue amounts — serves two purposes. First, it gives you a genuine financial remedy if payment is delayed. Second, it signals to the brand that you take payment terms seriously and have documented protections in place. This alone is often enough to ensure invoices are processed on time.
Add a line like this to your contract or invoice: "Invoices unpaid after the due date will accrue interest at [rate]% per month until settled." For a full overview of every clause your contract should contain, see what to include in a brand deal contract.
What to Do When Payment Is Late
Even with clear terms and a signed contract, late payments happen. The most effective approach is a structured escalation — polite on day one, progressively firmer as more time passes, with each step documented. Send a short factual reminder the same day payment was due, don't wait. At seven days overdue, follow up referencing the invoice number and due date and request confirmation of payment status. At 14–21 days, escalate to a more senior contact if you have one and reference your contract terms explicitly including any late payment interest. At 30 or more days overdue, send a formal letter of demand — at this point, legal options including small claims court are on the table. For the complete escalation script, see how to follow up on an unpaid invoice as a creator.
Document every step. Keep records of when you sent the invoice, every follow-up message, and every response from the brand. If a dispute escalates, this paper trail is what supports your claim.
Get paid on time. Every time.
Dealvio tracks every invoice from sent to paid, flags overdue payments automatically, and shows your cash flow for the next 90 days — so late payments never catch you off guard.
Start free trial — no credit card required
