When user-generated content (UGC) first became popular on social media, feeds were flooded with all kinds of how-to guides explaining how to get into the world of UGC as a creator.

But a huge mistake that I kept seeing over and over is that people were portraying UGC as something that you do “just for fun” – like a hobby or side hustle. 

And while it’s totally fine for UGC to be the “extra” thing that you do on the side, it’s important to remember that user-generated content is indeed a business transaction between a creator and a brand. 

Which means like any business, it needs to be treated as such – especially when it comes to the legal logistics. 

As a UGC creator, it’s crucial to have clarity on a few things before jumping into a brand deal and in this blog post I’m spilling the tea on what those things are!

And trust me, I get it – legal stuff doesn’t feel nearly as exciting as filming your next reel. But if you want to build a sustainable content creation business, you need to protect yourself and your work from day one.

So, keep reading for five essential things every UGC creator needs to know before signing (or sending!) a brand deal and how a creator-first UGC contract ensures your content, time, and creative energy are legally respected.

What To Know Before Creating User-Generated Content

1. Who Owns the Content

The number one thing you need to understand before hitting “send” on your final deliverables for your user-generated content is: who owns the content?

Many creators are surprised to learn that unless it’s stated otherwise in a contract, brands could claim full ownership of your work, including the ability to reuse, resell, or repurpose your content without paying you again.

To avoid this, make sure your UGC contract clearly outlines usage rights, stating if the brand will own the content outright or if they are licensing it for a specific time, platform, or campaign.

If you're granting a license, consider limiting the duration, platforms, or type of usage, such as paid ads vs. organic content.

2. What You’re Delivering (and When)

In any business relationship, scope creep is real and it can be one of the most frustrating things as a content creator. For example, a brand might ask for “just one video,” and before you know it, you’re filming 10 different variations for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts.

None of which you signed up for OR are being paid for! 💸

This is why having a UGC contract as a creator is so key. In your contract, you can spell out exactly what you're agreeing to deliver, including:

• Number and format of deliverables (e.g., 2 vertical videos, 1 static image)
• Timeline for drafts and final content
• Rounds of revisions, if any
• Where and how the content will be delivered
  

Setting these boundaries ensures you don’t spend extra unpaid hours on last-minute requests or edits.

3. When (and How Much) You’ll Be Paid 

Becoming a content creator is all fun and games until you find yourself chasing down your payment for months and months after your content has been delivered… and sometimes even posted!

In the influencer and UGC space, it’s unfortunately super common, but there’s one solution that can have your back: a UGC contract with clear payment terms. 

In your contract, you can (and should!) include:

• Your total rate or project fee
• When payment is due (ex. 50% upfront, 50% on delivery)
• Late payment penalties
• Accepted payment methods
• Reimbursement terms if you're purchasing props, wardrobe, or other materials
  

While a contract itself might not completely prevent payment problems, it CAN help back you up legally if you ever have to take things further than an email conversation.

And remember: one of the best things you can do for yourself as a UGC creator is to NEVER start creating without a signed agreement and payment terms in place! Your time and creativity deserve to be compensated properly and promptly.

4. How Your Likeness Will Be Used

As a UGC creator, your face, voice, and personal style are often part of the final product, but without legal protections in place, your image and content could be used in ways that don’t align with your brand – or worse, without your knowledge.

For example, let’s say you film a fun Instagram reel for a skincare brand and later discover it’s been turned into a YouTube ad without your consent.

Ummmm, not cool! 🙅🏼♀️

Well, a UGC contract can prevent that by stating:

• How your likeness (face, name, voice) can be used
• Restrictions on modifying or editing your content without approval
• A requirement that brands tag or credit you (if agreed upon)

5. You Don’t Have to Accept Brand Contracts As-Is

When you’re first starting out in the UGC world, you’re probably really excited to just land your first gig! When a brand reaches out wanting to work with you, it can feel like you’ve “made it.”

And in that excitement, it’s easy to just say yes to whatever contract (or lack thereof) they send over.

But here’s the biggest mindset shift for UGC creators: you don’t have to use the brand’s contract.

Most of the time, their agreement is written to protect their interests, NOT yours. And if they don’t send a contract at all… that’s a red flag, bestie!

As the creator, you’re 100% allowed to bring your own UGC contract to the table. It gives you the ability to confidently say, “Thanks so much! I’d love to move forward, but here are my standard terms.”

And if you don’t know what to include in a UGC contract? You know I’ve got you!

The Boutique Lawyer’s UGC Contract Template was made to help creators like you stop relying on brands to set the terms and instead, protect your work, your time, and your reputation from the start.

Overall,creating content for brands can be super exciting and a huge milestone in your creative business. But if you’re stepping into collaborations without a UGC contract, you’re leaving the door wide open for misunderstandings, misused content, and unpaid invoices.

So, whether you’re a seasoned creator or just getting your first collab inquiry, it’s never too early (or too late) to set boundaries and protect yourself legally!

CLICK HERE to grab the User-Generated Content Contract Template designed for creators, by someone who gets it.

You bring the creativity and I’ll make sure you’re legally covered. ✅

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