What to Do When a Brand Ghosts You After a Campaign
You’ve delivered the content, hit all your deadlines, and sent the invoice — but now the brand’s gone silent. Unfortunately, getting ghosted after a campaign happens more than it should. The good news? There are ways to handle it professionally and protect yourself moving forward.
Here’s what to do:
Follow up with clear documentation. Wait a few business days past the due date, then follow up with a short, direct email that includes the original invoice and contract (if applicable). Keep it friendly but firm.
Use a subject line that gets attention. Something like “Outstanding Invoice for [Campaign Name] – Past Due” is more effective than a casual check-in.
Escalate if needed. If multiple follow-ups go unanswered, CC a secondary contact at the company or agency. Sometimes it’s a communication breakdown, not intentional avoidance.
Send a final notice. As a last resort, you can send a formal Final Notice of Payment Due and state that legal action will be considered if payment isn’t received by a specific date.
Loop in legal if necessary. If you have legal representation (or work with a manager or agency), looping them in can often move things along faster without burning the relationship.
To avoid this in the future:
Always get a countersigned agreement before starting work.
Include a clear payment due date and late fee policy.
Make sure deliverables are tied to payment — not open-ended timelines.
Getting ghosted is frustrating, but it’s also preventable with the right structure. The more boundaries and clarity you set upfront, the more likely you are to get paid on time.
If you're a creator looking for representation and support in the growth of your career, reach out to IAMPACT MGMT. If you're a brand looking to partner with the creators we represent, contact hannah@iampactmgmt.com.
