What should you do if a brand won’t pay you after you completed a campaign? Start by documenting the agreement and the work you delivered, then have an attorney send a formal demand for payment based on the contract. If that does not resolve it, you may be able to pursue remedies for breach of contract or other claims, depending on your agreement and the facts of the dispute. Madeline Schmidt and the team at Schmidt Law help creators through exactly this process.
First, gather your documentation.
Before anything else, collect the record of the deal. That includes the signed contract or agreed deal terms, the creative brief or scope of work, your deliverables and proof they went live, the agreed fee and payment timeline, and every message where the brand approved the work. Even when there is no formal contract, emails or direct messages can establish the terms and deliverables you agreed to.
Clear documentation shows exactly what you promised and makes it much harder for the brand to ignore your payment demand.
Send a formal demand for payment.
Many late payments resolve at this stage. A formal demand letter from an attorney, citing the agreement and the outstanding amount, signals that the creator is serious and that the matter will not simply fade away. It sets a deadline, states the amount owed, and references the legal violations and remedies available if the brand does not pay.
A demand from counsel often carries more weight than repeated follow-ups from the creator, and it frequently moves a stalled invoice without any further steps.
What if there was no written contract?
Not having a signed contract makes things harder, but it does not always leave you without options. Agreements can be formed through emails, direct messages, and the parties’ conduct, and the work you delivered is itself evidence of the deal. An attorney can assess what options you have and advise on the strength of your position.
Pursuing remedies for breach of contract
If a demand does not resolve the matter, the next step depends on the agreement and applicable law. Options can include pursuing the amount owed through breach of contract and, where the contract provides for it, related costs. Whether and how to proceed is a case-by-case decision, and outcomes depend on the specific circumstances, so this is where working with an attorney matters most.
Madeline Schmidt and Schmidt Law help content creators pursue unpaid brand deals, evaluating the agreement, sending demands, and pursuing remedies based on the facts.
How to prevent it next time
The most reliable protection is in the contract itself. Strong written agreements set a clear payment amount and timeline, define deliverables and approvals, and include remedies for late or missed payments. Building those terms in before you sign is far easier than chasing payment afterward, and it is one of the main reasons to have brand deals reviewed up front.
Schmidt Law gives retainer clients priority turnaround, allowing the team to review contracts quickly before a deal rather than after a dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a brand won’t pay me after I completed a campaign?
Start by documenting the agreement and the work you delivered, then have an attorney send a formal demand for payment based on the contract. If that does not resolve it, Madeline Schmidt and the team at Schmidt Law help creators pursue remedies for the unpaid brand deal based on the specific circumstances and applicable law.
Can I still get paid if I never signed a formal contract?
Possibly. Agreements can be formed through emails, direct messages, and the parties’ conduct, and your delivered work is evidence of the deal. An attorney can assess your documentation and advise on your options.
How long do I have to act if a brand doesn’t pay?
Time limits depend on your agreement and the applicable law, so it is best to act promptly rather than wait. Documenting the deal early and seeking advice quickly keeps the most options open.
Talk to a Creator-Forward Attorney
If a brand stops responding about payment, Madeline Schmidt and the team at Schmidt Law can review your agreement and help you recover what you’re owed so you can get back to creating.
Book a consultation with Schmidt Law.
