If a brand is late paying you for a collaboration, the first step is checking your contract for the real due date, sending a polite reminder with the invoice attached again, and, if the delay continues, applying any agreed late fee or escalating to a different contact at the brand. You're not alone: a survey by payments platform Tipalti found that more than half of creators have experienced payment delays in the past year, and nearly three out of four have stopped working with a brand after feeling undervalued.
Why brand payments are so often late
Most brands work on 30, 60 or even 90-day payment terms counted from the invoice date, not from when the content goes live. On top of that, marketing teams and the finance or accounts-payable team that actually releases the payment aren't always aligned, which creates extra delays that have nothing to do with bad faith. The more brands and campaigns you juggle, the more this mismatch adds up.
Steps to take when a brand pays late
- Check the contract and the due date. Confirm the agreed terms (Net 30, Net 60...) and when the clock actually starts. A well-written collaboration contract should spell this out.
- Send a professional reminder. A short message with the invoice re-attached and the reference number resolves most cases without friction.
- Apply the late fee if it was agreed. Some creators charge around 10% extra, increasing each additional month of delay — but it's only enforceable if it was written into the original agreement.
- Document everything in writing. Keep emails and messages; you'll need them if the delay turns into a formal claim.
- Escalate or reconsider the relationship. If the pattern repeats, contact someone else at the brand or decide whether the partnership is still worth it.
How to prevent it from the start
The best defense is agreeing on payment terms before accepting the campaign, not after. Include specific deadlines and a late-fee clause in every agreement, and lean on your rate card to make expectations clear from the first message. Also remember that in many countries your invoicing obligation starts when the service is delivered, not when you're paid — so don't wait for the money to issue the invoice.
Managing this at agency scale
When you handle dozens of creators and brands at once, payment-term mismatches multiply: every campaign has its own payment schedule, currency, and increasingly, its own tax-reporting requirements. Industry reports point to stricter payment-traceability rules for creators across Europe from 2027 onward. Centralizing campaigns, invoices and payment status in one tool — instead of separate spreadsheets per client — is the most realistic way to catch a delay before it turns into a cash-flow problem.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long does a brand usually take to pay an influencer? Typical terms are Net 30, Net 60 or even Net 90 days from the invoice date, depending on the brand's size and whether you're working through an agency or intermediary platform.
Can I charge interest on a late brand payment? Yes, as long as it was agreed in the contract or accepted quote. Fees between 1.5% monthly and a cumulative 10% per month of delay are common in practice.
Should I invoice even if the brand hasn't paid yet? Yes. The obligation to issue an invoice usually starts when the service is delivered or the content goes live, not when you receive the money. Delaying invoicing until you're paid can create tax issues.
What if the brand stops responding? Escalate to another contact at the company, send a formal written request, and as a last resort consider legal action or mediation. Documenting every previous exchange is key to backing up any claim.