UGC Creator Rate Card: Complete 2025 Pricing Guide

If you're a UGC creator wondering what to charge, you're not alone—and you're probably undercharging. With the UGC market booming in 2025, creators have more leverage than ever before. A UGC creator rate card is your professional pricing sheet that outlines exactly what you charge for different deliverables, usage rights, and project types. It's not just a price list; it's a negotiation tool, a business asset, and a confidence builder all rolled into one.

The challenge? Most creators either price themselves too low (costing them thousands annually) or create confusing rate cards that lose clients mid-negotiation. Meanwhile, brands struggle to understand fair UGC pricing and often try to negotiate creators down. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to build, present, and defend a rate card that attracts quality clients while protecting your margins.

We'll cover everything from pricing models and industry benchmarks to negotiation tactics, contract protection, and payment security. By the end, you'll have a bulletproof framework for pricing your UGC work in 2025. Let's dive in.

1. Understanding UGC Creator Pricing Models (2025)

Before you build your rate card, you need to understand the different pricing models available. One model doesn't fit all situations, and knowing when to use each will help you maximize earnings and attract the right clients.

Fixed Project-Based Pricing

Project-based pricing is the most common model in the UGC industry. You quote a flat rate for specific deliverables—typically one video, with revisions and usage rights clearly defined. This model works exceptionally well for beginners and one-off campaigns.

Typical rates range from $100-$5,000+ per video, depending on your experience, niche, and the client's budget. A beginner might charge $200-$400 for a simple product demo video, while an experienced creator in the tech niche might charge $1,500-$3,000 for the same deliverable.

When to use project-based pricing: - First-time clients (lower trust, need clear scope) - Single-video campaigns - Building your portfolio quickly - Clients with small budgets - When you need cash flow (upfront payment typical)

The biggest advantage? Clients know exactly what they're paying. There's no surprise invoicing or scope creep concerns. However, you might leave money on the table if a project takes longer than expected, which brings us to hourly rates.

Hourly Rate Structures

Some creators prefer hourly billing, especially for consultation, concept development, or ongoing retainer work. Industry standard hourly rates range from $25-$150+ per hour, depending on experience and niche.

What's included in an hour of work? Typically: - Concept brainstorming and script writing - Filming and setup time - Editing and post-production - Revision rounds - Communication with client

The hidden costs of hourly billing: - Software subscriptions (Adobe Creative Cloud, CapCut Pro, stock footage) - Equipment depreciation (camera, microphone, lighting) - Taxes and business overhead - Setup and admin time between projects

Hourly rates protect you if a project expands unexpectedly. However, they can feel less transparent to clients and may encourage scope creep. "Can you just spend another hour tweaking this?" becomes harder to push back on.

Pro tip: If a client asks for hourly rates, calculate your actual weekly revenue target and work backwards. If you want to earn $50,000 annually and work 40 billable hours weekly, you need to charge $24/hour minimum (plus taxes, overhead, downtime). Most creators underestimate this calculation.

Performance-Based & ROI-Tied Pricing

This is an emerging 2025 model that ties your compensation to actual video performance or client results. It's higher-risk but can be incredibly lucrative if you have proof of results.

Performance-based pricing models include:

  • CPM-based (Cost Per Mille): You earn $0.50-$5+ per 1,000 views the video generates. Best when clients can track performance (YouTube, TikTok ads, landing page metrics).

  • CPA/CPC (Cost Per Action or Click): You earn $1-$50+ per conversion, click, or desired action. Requires pixel tracking and clear attribution—common in e-commerce.

  • Hybrid model: Base rate ($500) + performance bonus (additional $500 if video hits 50,000 views or $10,000 in revenue).

Why brands love this? They feel they're sharing risk with creators, and they only pay for results. Why you should be cautious? Performance depends partly on the brand's marketing execution, not just your video quality. Negotiate clear attribution and performance metrics upfront.

When to use performance-based pricing: - When you have portfolio proof of results (case studies, metrics) - With brands you trust (reliable tracking, transparent metrics) - For long-term partnerships (easier to track performance) - When base rates are high enough to make the risk worthwhile

[INTERNAL LINK: case-studies-showing-ugc-performance]

Retainer vs. Project-Based Comparison

Retainers are monthly contracts where you deliver a set number of videos (typically 2-4) plus revisions. Monthly retainers range from $500-$10,000+, depending on deliverables and your experience level.

A typical retainer structure might look like: - $1,500/month = 2-3 videos + 2 revision rounds + 10 business day turnaround - $3,000/month = 4-5 videos + unlimited revisions + 5 business day turnaround + strategy call - $5,000+/month = 6+ videos + white-glove service + exclusivity clause + priority support

Retainer advantages for you: - Predictable monthly income - Stronger client relationships - Volume discount justification (videos cost less per unit) - Easier forecasting and planning - Less time on sales and onboarding

Project-based advantages: - Higher per-video rates - More flexibility (walk away after one project) - No long-term commitment risk - Easier to say "no" to bad clients - Works better when building portfolio

Here's the financial reality: Retainers often pay 15-30% less per video than one-off project rates, but the predictability and lower sales cycle costs can actually net you more annually. If you charge $1,000 per video as projects but earn $2,500/month retainer for 3 videos, you're earning the same but with less admin work.

Strategic approach: Build to retainers as you mature. Start with project-based work to build your portfolio, then transition satisfied one-time clients into retainers by offering a small discount for commitment.

2. Industry Standard Rates by Content Type & Platform (2025 Data)

Pricing isn't one-size-fits-all. What you charge depends heavily on content type and platform. Here's what the market looks like right now:

Video Content Rates by Type

Short-form UGC (TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts): $150-$1,500 per video

These quick, snappy videos are the bread-and-butter of UGC. They're relatively fast to produce but require strong hook creativity. A beginner might charge $200, while someone with proven viral videos could command $1,000+.

Long-form content (YouTube, testimonials, detailed demos): $500-$5,000+

Longer videos require more planning, better retention strategies, and usually better production quality. YouTube pre-roll UGC typically commands higher rates because it's competing for attention on a platform with sophisticated audiences.

Static content (product photos, carousel posts, Pinterest pins): $50-$500

Don't overlook static content—some creators specialize entirely in it. Photos are faster to produce than video, but they're also more commodified. Carousel content (5-10 images telling a story) typically falls in the $200-$400 range.

Voiceover-only content: $100-$400

If a brand needs just your voice over their visuals, it's less work for you. Rates are typically lower, but perfect for creators with distinctive voices or strong audience trust.

Animation/Motion graphics: $300-$2,000+

If you also do animation, you can command premium rates. This requires specialized skills that most UGC creators don't have, so there's less competition and higher rates.

Platform-Specific Pricing (2025)

Different platforms have different market rates, driven by audience size, algorithm dynamics, and brand preferences:

TikTok UGC: $200-$1,000 per video

TikTok is the highest-volume platform for UGC right now. The algorithm is powerful but unpredictable, so brands love testing multiple videos. However, because volume is high, per-video rates are more compressed. Experienced creators with strong TikTok following charge premium rates.

Instagram Reels: $250-$1,500 per video

Reels command slightly higher rates than TikTok because Instagram's audience is often more affluent and conversion-focused. B2C brands with higher customer value often prioritize Reels.

YouTube Shorts/Full videos: $500-$3,000+

YouTube pays better algorithmically and attracts higher-budget advertisers. Full-length YouTube videos (5-10 minutes) are significantly more work and should cost 2-3x more than a 60-second short.

LinkedIn B2B content: $300-$2,000

LinkedIn is serious business. B2B audiences have higher customer lifetime value, so brands spend more. Professional testimonials, thought leadership content, and B2B product demos earn 30-50% premiums over B2C rates.

Emerging platforms (Threads, Bluesky, BeReal): $150-$800

Early adopters get paid less because the market is unproven. However, there's an "early adopter premium" for creators willing to take the risk. In 6-12 months, if these platforms prove their value, rates will rise significantly.

Niche & Industry Premium Pricing

Your niche matters enormously. Some industries have higher budgets, regulatory complexity, or specialized requirements that justify premium pricing:

Tech/SaaS products: +30-50% premium

Brands selling software need creators who understand the product and can communicate value clearly. There's also less creator supply in the tech niche, which drives prices up. Base rate $500 becomes $650-$750 in tech.

Luxury/Fashion brands: +40-70% premium

Luxury brands are aesthetic-obsessed and often work with creators who have strong personal brands or specific audience demographics. They also have bigger budgets. A standard $800 video becomes $1,200-$1,350 in luxury.

Health & wellness: +20-40% premium

Health claims are heavily regulated (FDA, FTC compliance). Creators need to understand disclaimers, substantiation, and compliance. This specialized knowledge justifies premium pricing. Additionally, these brands face higher liability, making them more selective about creators.

Emerging trends (AI products, Web3, fintech): +50-100% premium

Early-stage companies pushing new categories need creators who understand the space well enough to educate audiences. Supply of creators is low. A creator charging $800 elsewhere might command $1,200-$1,600 for an AI product UGC.

E-commerce/Dropshipping: Standard to -10% (negotiation-heavy)

E-commerce brands often work with many creators and emphasize volume over premium rates. However, if you have strong e-commerce conversion proof, you can maintain standard rates.

3. Factors That Impact Your UGC Rate Card

Not all creators with one year of experience should charge the same. Several factors legitimately justify rate variations. Use these to build defensible pricing tiers.

Creator Experience & Portfolio Maturity

Your experience is the #1 rate driver. Here's a rough framework:

Beginner (0-50 videos, <6 months experience): $100-$400 per video

You're still learning, testing concepts, and building portfolio proof. Focus on getting testimonials and case studies, not maximizing per-video rates. One great testimonial from a happy client is worth more than $50 extra on a dozen videos.

Intermediate (50-200 videos, 6-18 months experience): $400-$1,500 per video

You've proven you can execute consistently. You know what works, you have client testimonials, and you can speak intelligently about performance. You're moving beyond "just making videos" to "knowing why videos work."

Advanced (200+ videos, 18+ months experience): $1,500-$5,000+ per video

You're now a specialist. You have case studies showing ROI, client results, and repeat customers. You might specialize in a niche (fintech UGC, luxury fashion, B2B software). You have leverage.

Portfolio benchmarks to hit for each tier: - 5-10 strong testimonial videos or case studies - Specific results to reference (views, conversions, engagement rates) - Professional presentation (website, media kit, rate card) - Quick turnaround times proven

Timeline for rate increases:

Don't stay at the same rate forever. Increase rates every 50-100 videos produced or quarterly if you're faster. Realistic timeline: - Months 1-3: $150-$300 per video - Months 4-8: $300-$600 per video - Months 9-18: $600-$1,200 per video - Months 19+: $1,200-$3,000+ per video

This isn't arbitrary—each tier represents maturity, faster turnaround, better results, and reduced client risk.

Usage Rights, Exclusivity & Licensing Fees

This is where most creators leave money on the table. The same video can be worth wildly different amounts depending on usage rights granted.

Non-exclusive rights: Base rate

Video can be used by the brand, but you retain the right to sell it to competitors or showcase it in your portfolio. This is always your baseline. Never go lower.

Example: $500 base rate for a fintech app demo

Exclusive rights: +50-100% premium

Brand gets exclusive rights for a defined period (typically 30-90 days), meaning you can't sell the same video to competitors in that category. After the exclusivity period, you can reuse the concept with other brands.

Example: $500 base → $750-$1,000 for 60-day exclusivity

Perpetual rights: +150-300% premium

Brand gets permanent, unlimited usage rights. You can never sell this video again, and they can use it forever. This is expensive because you're forgoing all future opportunities.

Example: $500 base → $1,250-$1,500 for perpetual rights

Geographic exclusivity: +20-50% premium

Brand gets exclusive rights only in specific countries (e.g., "exclusive in US and Canada, can't be used in Europe"). This is more attractive than category exclusivity for you because you can still sell variations to the same brand in other regions.

Example: $500 base → $600-$750 for North America exclusivity

Category exclusivity: +25-75% premium

Trickier to define but important. Brand gets exclusive rights within their category—no competitor videos for X days. Define categories clearly: - "No other fitness app UGC for 90 days" - "No other e-commerce tools, but e-commerce stores are fine"

Example: $500 base → $625-$875 for 90-day category exclusivity

Licensing fee tiers:

Usage Type Duration Geographic Premium
Non-exclusive Unlimited Unlimited Base
Exclusive 30 days Unlimited +50%
Exclusive 60 days Unlimited +75%
Exclusive 90 days Unlimited +100%
Exclusive 6 months Unlimited +150%
Perpetual Unlimited Unlimited +200-300%
Exclusive 90 days Single country +40%
Exclusive Perpetual Single country +100%

Pro tip: Most brands don't actually need perpetual rights. They need 60-90 day exclusivity. Push back on perpetual requests and emphasize that 90-day exclusive rights cost significantly less but give them time to launch campaigns.

Deliverables, Revisions & Scope Creep Management

Your rate should clearly define what's included. Scope creep kills margins faster than anything else.

What your base rate should include: - 1-2 concept variations (you pitch ideas, client picks one) - 2-3 revision rounds (minor tweaks like timing, music, framing) - Standard turnaround (5-10 business days) - Delivery in standard formats

Additional deliverables that cost extra: - Extra revision rounds: $50-$150 per round (establish a hard limit upfront—"3 rounds included, additional rounds are $75 each") - Captions/subtitles: +$50-$150 (automated captions are $25, professional ones are $100-$150) - Green screen version: +$75-$150 (you need to re-edit) - Platform-specific variations: +$50-$150 per variation (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn all require different aspect ratios, pacing) - Trending audio integration: +$25-$75 - Motion graphics/effects: +$100-$300 - Voiceover by professional: +$200-$500 - Rush delivery (48 hours): +50% surcharge - Unlimited revisions: +100-200% to base rate (rarely worth it—protect this)

Bundled services for psychological pricing:

Offer packages that make clients feel like they're getting value:

Basic Package - $350 - 1 short-form video (60 seconds) - 2 concept ideas to choose from - 2 revision rounds - Standard rights (non-exclusive) - 5 business day turnaround

Pro Package - $700 - 2 short-form videos OR 1 long-form video - 3 concept ideas - 3 revision rounds - Captions included - Exclusive 60-day rights - 3 business day turnaround

Premium Package - $1,400 - 3-4 short-form videos - Unlimited concepts - Unlimited revisions - Captions + green screen versions - Exclusive 90-day rights - 48-hour turnaround - Strategy call included

Bundled pricing encourages clients to buy more while protecting you from endless revisions with unlimited options.

Scope creep red flags and how to handle them:

  • Client: "Can you also film this other product angle while you're at it?" → Response: "That's an additional video deliverable, adding $X to the project."
  • Client: "Can you keep tweaking the color grade?" → Response: "That's revision round 4. I include 3 rounds. Round 4 is $75."
  • Client: "Just make this a YouTube version too" → Response: "Additional platform variation is $100. Would you like me to create that?"

Having clear rates for everything makes these conversations easy instead of awkward.

4. Building Your Rate Card (2025 Best Practices)

A good rate card isn't just a price list—it's a sales document. Psychology matters.

Rate Card Structure & Presentation Psychology

The Rule of Three (and why it works):

Present exactly 3-4 pricing tiers. Research shows that three options reduce decision paralysis while still offering choice. Too many options, and clients freeze.

Option 1: Starter tier ($250-$500) - Entry point for clients testing you - Clear, simple deliverables - Proves value before they commit to higher spending

Option 2: Standard tier ($500-$1,500) - Your bread-and-butter offer - Most clients choose this - Best margin/effort ratio - Position it as "most popular" if it is

Option 3: Premium tier ($1,500-$5,000+) - Premium clients, high-budget projects - Includes exclusivity, rush delivery, unlimited revisions - Psychological anchor (makes Standard seem more reasonable)

Option 4: Custom (optional) - Enterprise, long-term projects, retainers - Position as "Let's discuss what you need" - Protects against underpricing complex projects

Presentation tactics:

  1. Use visual hierarchy: Make Standard tier visually stand out (larger box, different color)
  2. Show what's included: Use checkmarks and clear feature comparisons, not just prices
  3. Anchor with value: Next to each tier, show what the client gets (e.g., "saves 20 hours of production time")
  4. Social proof: Include testimonial on rate card if space allows
  5. Call out exclusions: Be clear about what's NOT included to avoid disputes

Turnaround time as a pricing lever:

Don't list just one turnaround time. Use it to justify pricing tiers: - Standard (7-10 business days): $500 - Express (3-5 business days): $650 (+30%) - Rush (24-48 hours): $800 (+60%)

This gives clients budget options and protects your sanity from constant rush jobs.

InfluenceFlow's Rate Card Generator can help you create a professional-looking rate card in minutes. [INTERNAL LINK: rate-card-generator] It includes templates, design options, and automatic calculations—no spreadsheet required.

Packaging Services for Maximum Value

Don't just offer videos—offer solutions. Package your services in ways that align with how clients actually buy.

Structure around client workflows:

Content Discovery Package ($600) - Perfect for: Brands unsure what angles work - 3 different concept variations of same product - Client picks best performer - Non-exclusive rights - 7-day turnaround

Launch Campaign Package ($1,800) - Perfect for: New product releases - 5 different video angles (4x product demo, 1x testimonial style) - Exclusive 90-day rights - Optimized for TikTok + Reels - Strategy call on positioning - 5-day turnaround

Ongoing Creator Partnership Package ($2,500/month) - Perfect for: Established brands needing regular content - 4 videos per month (mix of short-form and long-form) - Dedicated creator (consistency and familiarity) - Exclusive category rights (90 days) - Unlimited revisions - Monthly strategy call - 3-day turnaround

Seasonal packages:

  • Black Friday Bundle (Oct-Nov): 3 videos emphasizing urgency/value → 15% discount vs. a la carte
  • New Year / New Product: 5-video launch series → 20% discount
  • Holiday Content Rush (Nov-Dec): 10+ videos at volume discount

Volume discounts that actually make sense:

  • 1 video: full rate
  • 3-4 videos: 10% off per video
  • 5-9 videos: 15% off per video
  • 10+ videos: 20% off per video

These aren't giveaways—lower per-video rates still net you more total revenue while reducing sales friction.

Example math: - 1 video at $1,000 = $1,000 - 5 videos at $850 each ($1,000 - 15%) = $4,250 (vs. $5,000 without discount) - But you spend 30% less time on sales, onboarding, and invoicing

More money, less admin. That's the goal.

Pricing for Different Client Types

Not all clients are created equal. Adjust your rates based on client type and expected friction:

Micro-brands/solopreneurs ($500K-$2M revenue): - They have tight budgets but often move fast - Rate: Standard rate - 15% (e.g., $850 instead of $1,000) - Benefit: Quick decision-making, enthusiastic testimonials, often lead to retainers - Contract: Keep it simple, Google Forms contract or basic PDF

Mid-market brands ($2M-$50M revenue): - Sweet spot: larger budgets, professional processes, repeatable work - Rate: Full standard rates - Benefit: Bigger budgets, often retainer potential, professional testimonials - Contract: Formal contract template, clear terms on revisions and exclusivity

Enterprise brands ($50M+ revenue): - Large budgets, complex approval processes, legal teams - Rate: Standard rate + 25-50% premium for handling complexity - Benefit: Predictable retainer income, portfolio credibility, case study opportunities - Contract: Requires proper legal contract, detailed SOWs, longer payment terms (net 30-60)

Agencies (production/marketing/media buying): - High volume but often lower per-project rates - Rate: Standard rate - 10-15% (volume discount) - Benefit: Recurring work, consistent clients, quick decisions - Contract: Master service agreement defining rates for different deliverable types

First-time clients: - Unknown quantity, higher risk they'll disappear - Rate: -10% discount to build relationship/testimonial - Benefit: Quick testimonial acquisition, portfolio building - Caveat: Only if they'll actually provide testimonials

Example rate adjustments:

Client Type Adjustment Example
Micro-brand -15% $850
Mid-market 0% $1,000
Enterprise +35% $1,350
Agency (volume) -12% $880
First-time -10% $900

5. Negotiation Tactics & Rate Increase Strategies

Clients will negotiate. The question is whether you're prepared to defend your rates.

How to Defend Your Rates (Emphasizing Client ROI)

The best defense isn't confidence—it's proof. Show brands that your UGC isn't just content; it's a revenue driver.

Lead with ROI, not hourly rates:

Bad: "I charge $80/hour, and this video takes 8 hours, so $640." Better: "UGC typically generates 3-5x ROI on production spend. At $640 production cost, that's $1,920-$3,200 in revenue for you."

Quantify value with proof points:

  • "My product demo UGC averaged 8% CTR vs. 2% for traditional ads"
  • "Testimonial-style videos I created generated $47K in attributed revenue for my last client"
  • "That earned me a 3-month retainer extension"

This requires you to actually track and ask clients for results, which most creators don't do. Start now.

Compare to traditional production:

Clients often don't realize what professional video production costs: - Professional videographer: $1,500-$5,000/day - Editor: $500-$2,000/video - Copywriter/strategist: $1,000-$2,500 - Revisions/approval: 20+ hours of meetings - Total: $3,000-$10,000+ for one professional video

Position your UGC as: "High-impact, authentic-feeling video at 1/5th the production cost, 100x better conversion profile because I'm an actual user."

The ROI justification framework:

  1. Ask client: "What's your target customer acquisition cost (CAC)?"
  2. Position UGC: "UGC converts 3-5x better than branded ads, effectively lowering your CAC by 60-80%"
  3. Calculate: "If your CAC is $50, UGC might get it to $12-$20"
  4. Tie to your rate: "Saving $30-$40 per customer acquired on $500 spend = 60-100x ROI on my content production"

Most clients haven't thought about this. You're not selling videos—you're selling customer acquisition efficiency.

Confidence talking points to memorize:

  • "UGC consistently outperforms traditional advertising by 3-5x on conversion metrics"
  • "I've built my pricing on actual client results, not guesswork"
  • "Exclusive rights cost more because I'm forgoing future opportunities with other brands"
  • "My turnaround time is fast because I've systematized my process—efficiency costs are real"
  • "This rate reflects my portfolio, testimonials, and proven performance"

Strategic Rate Increases Over Time

Don't stay at the same price forever. However, increase rates strategically to avoid losing clients.

When to increase rates:

  • Every 50-100 videos produced (portfolio growth)
  • Quarterly if you're fast and productive
  • When you hit portfolio milestones (100 videos, 5-star testimonials, case studies)
  • When you specialize in a higher-paying niche
  • When your results become measurable and impressive

How much to increase:

  • Beginner → Intermediate: +50-100% (from $300 to $450-$600)
  • Intermediate → Advanced: +50-75% (from $800 to $1,200-$1,400)
  • Annually (once established): +15-25%

Don't do small $50 increases—they're psychologically ineffective. Jump 30-50% when you do increase.

Communicate rate increases strategically:

  1. For current/recurring clients: Grandfather existing contracts, honor old rates through current engagement, new projects use new rates
  2. For inactive clients you want back: New rates apply to new engagements
  3. For all future clients: Just start quoting new rates (no explanation needed)

Example script: "I'm updating my rates effective [date] to reflect the quality and results I'm delivering. For any pending projects from our current engagement, I'm honoring current rates. New projects would be quoted at my updated rates."

Price anchoring trick (raise base rate, offer early-bird discount):

Instead of raising from $1,000 to $1,300: - Announce new base rate: $1,400 - Offer: "Early-bird rate for my current network: $1,050 through [date]" - Psychology: Clients feel like they're getting a deal (+$50 discount vs. your old $1,000 rate) when really you've raised $50 total

Clients feel good. You raise rates. Everyone wins.

Handling Budget Objections & Scope Creep

Clients will say: "That's more than I budgeted" or "Can you just do X for less?"

Reframe the conversation:

Instead of defending price, ask qualifying questions: - "What budget did you allocate for content creation?" - "What's your typical video ad spend?" - "When does this campaign need to launch?"

This helps you understand if they're genuinely budget-constrained or just negotiating.

Offer alternatives instead of discounts:

Client: "Your Premium Package is $1,400 but we only budgeted $800."

Response options: - "Let's do the Standard Package at $700 instead—fewer videos, but same quality" (reduces scope, maintains rate) - "What if we pushed launch to [later date]? That lets us batch-produce more efficiently, reducing per-video cost" (maintains rate, extends timeline) - "If you commit to a 3-month retainer, I can offer $900/month for 2 videos instead of $700 per project" (maintains rate, builds relationship)

Notice: You're not discounting. You're reshaping the deal.

The scope creep negotiation:

Client: "Can you add one more revision round for free?"

Response: "I've included 2 revision rounds in this price. A third round would be $75—would you like to add that?"

Be friendly but firm. Scope creep is how good margins become bad ones. [INTERNAL LINK: managing-scope-creep-with-contracts]


6. Contracts, Rights & Payment Security

A rate card without contract protection is just a wish. You need proper documentation.

Essential Contract Terms for UGC Creators

Your contract should clearly define:

  1. Deliverables (what you're providing)
  2. Number and type of videos
  3. Concept count
  4. Revision rounds included
  5. Turnaround time
  6. Delivery format

  7. Usage Rights (what they can do with it)

  8. Exclusive or non-exclusive
  9. Duration of exclusivity
  10. Geographic scope
  11. Category restrictions
  12. Perpetual or time-limited
  13. Can they sublicense? (usually no)

  14. Payment Terms

  15. Total amount due
  16. Payment schedule (% upfront, % on delivery, % on acceptance)
  17. Due date (net 7, net 15, net 30)
  18. Late payment penalties (2% per month is standard)
  19. Accepted payment methods

  20. Approval & Acceptance

  21. Client has 3 business days to review/approve
  22. After approval, revisions outside original scope require additional fees
  23. "Accepted" = no further revisions included

  24. Revision Limits

  25. Number of revision rounds included
  26. Definition of "revision" vs. "new project"
  27. Additional revision costs
  28. Timeline for revision requests (must request within 3 days of delivery)

  29. Intellectual Property

  30. You retain copyright unless otherwise negotiated
  31. Client gets license to use per terms defined
  32. Client can't resell or redistribute without express permission

  33. **