Deal structures vary: a dedicated video commands the most, a 60-second integration in a longer video less, a story mention less still. Beyond the content fee, the contract terms carry real money: usage rights (whether the brand can run your video as an ad), exclusivity (whether you are locked out of competitor deals), and whitelisting authorization each warrant separate pricing.
Disclosure is legally required: FTC rules in the US mandate clear sponsorship labels (#ad, platform-branded content tags). Practically, creators land deals through inbound DMs and emails, talent managers, creator marketplaces (TikTok One, YouTube BrandConnect), and cold outreach with a media kit. Red flags include "exposure" offers, perpetual usage rights at content-only prices, and payment terms past net-30.
On the Socialync UGC job board, which opens November 1, the payout and usage rights sit on the listing before a creator applies, so terms are agreed before the application and never negotiated after. The brand pays the creator directly.