What to Do When a Brand Ghosts You

Last updated: February 2026

You delivered the content. Sent the invoice. And then... silence.

Days turn into weeks. Emails go unanswered. The brand that was so enthusiastic during negotiations has vanished.

Getting ghosted by a brand is frustratingly common. Here's exactly what to do about it.

Why Brands Ghost

Understanding the reasons helps you respond appropriately:

Benign Reasons

• Overwhelmed contact — Your point person is buried and your invoice isn't priority
• Internal approval delays — Payment has to go through multiple departments
• Budget timing — They can only pay on certain cycles
• Staff changes — Your contact left and no one picked up the project

Concerning Reasons

• Cash flow problems — They can't pay right now
• Buyer's remorse — They regret the deal but won't say it
• Intentional avoidance — They're hoping you'll give up
• Scam from the start — Never intended to pay

The Ghost Timeline

How long before it's actually ghosting?

Step-by-Step: What to Do

Stage 1: The Benefit of the Doubt (Days 1-7)

Assumption: They're busy, not malicious.

Action: Send a friendly follow-up.

Email template:

Subject: Following up on [Project Name]

Hi [Name],

Hope you're doing well! Just following up on [the invoice / our last conversation / the draft I sent].

Let me know if you need anything from my end.

Best, [Your name]

When to send: 3-5 business days after last contact.

Stage 2: The Clear Ask (Days 7-14)

Assumption: Message got lost or deprioritized.

Action: Be more direct. Request specific response.

Email template:

Subject: Re: [Project Name] - Action Needed

Hi [Name],

I wanted to follow up again regarding [specific issue - payment/feedback/contract].

Could you confirm:

1. Receipt of [invoice/content/etc.]
2. Expected timeline for [payment/response]

Please let me know by [specific date] so I can update my records.

Thanks, [Your name]

Also try:

• Different contact at the company
• Their official support/finance email
• LinkedIn message to your contact

Stage 3: The Formal Notice (Days 14-30)

Assumption: There's a real problem.

Action: Formal communication documenting the issue.

Email template:

Subject: Formal Notice: Outstanding Payment - [Invoice #]

Dear [Name/Company],

This is a formal notice regarding the outstanding payment for [Project Name].

Details:

• Invoice #: [Number]
• Invoice Date: [Date]
• Amount Due: $[Amount]
• Due Date: [Original due date]
• Days Overdue: [X] days

Per our agreement dated [contract date], payment was due within [X] days of delivery. The content was delivered on [delivery date].

Please remit payment within 7 business days to avoid further action.

I have attached copies of:

• Original contract
• Invoice
• Delivery confirmation

Please confirm receipt of this notice.

Regards, [Your name]

Send via:

• Email (with read receipt if possible)
• Certified mail to company address (for larger amounts)

Stage 4: Escalation (Days 30+)

Assumption: They're not going to pay without pressure.

Options:

1. Contact their accounts payable directly Find the finance/AP department email. Your contact may not have payment authority.

2. Reach out to leadership Find the CEO or Marketing Director on LinkedIn. A professional message about an unpaid invoice often gets fast results.

3. Public accountability (careful here)

• Share (factually) in creator communities
• Some creators tweet about non-payment — this can work but burns bridges

4. Collections or legal For amounts over $500:

• Send formal demand letter (templates online)
• Small claims court ($30-100 filing fee, no lawyer needed)
• Collection agency (they take 25-50%, but something > nothing)

The Demand Letter

A demand letter is a formal document that often triggers payment. Many people pay once they realize you're serious.

Template:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

[Company Name]
[Company Address]

RE: DEMAND FOR PAYMENT

Dear [Company Name],

I am writing to demand payment for services rendered under our agreement dated [Date].

SUMMARY OF CLAIM:
- Services: [Description of work]
- Invoice Amount: $[Amount]
- Invoice Date: [Date]
- Payment Due Date: [Date]
- Amount Currently Owed: $[Amount + any late fees per contract]

Despite multiple attempts to resolve this matter, payment remains outstanding. I have attached copies of the signed agreement, invoice, and delivery confirmation.

DEMAND:
I demand payment in full within 10 days of this letter. If payment is not received by [Date], I will pursue all available legal remedies, including but not limited to:
- Filing in small claims court
- Reporting to credit bureaus
- Publicizing this matter in professional communities

This is not a threat; it is a statement of my intent to exercise my legal rights.

Please remit payment to:
[Payment details]

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]

Preventing Future Ghosting

Before the Project

1. Vet the brand — Search "[brand] + creator + payment" before signing
2. Require deposits — 50% upfront is standard. No deposit = no work
3. Use contracts — Written agreements are your protection
4. Set clear payment terms — Specific dates, not "upon completion"

During the Project

1. Watermark previews — Never send final content before payment/approval
2. Document everything — Email confirmations, not just DM conversations
3. Invoice immediately — Don't wait weeks after delivery

In Your Contract

Include these ghost-prevention clauses:

Payment deadline:

"Payment is due within 15 days of final delivery. Invoices unpaid after 30 days will incur a 5% monthly late fee."

Kill fee:

"If Client becomes unresponsive for 14+ days during production, Creator may terminate the agreement and invoice for work completed."

Deposit policy:

"A 50% deposit is required before Creator begins work. Deposit is non-refundable."

What NOT to Do

Don't Threaten Immediately

Aggressive first emails burn bridges. The contact might just be on vacation.

Don't Post Publicly Too Early

Trashing a brand online before exhausting private options looks unprofessional and can backfire.

Don't Give Up Too Easily

Some creators walk away from hundreds of dollars because follow-up feels awkward. Your work has value. Chase it.

Don't Keep Working

If they ghost mid-project, stop working immediately. No more content until communication resumes.

When to Let It Go

Sometimes the juice isn't worth the squeeze:

• Amount is very small (<$100) and time invested in chasing would exceed recovery
• Brand is clearly defunct (website down, social inactive)
• You have no contract — lesson learned, move on
• Mental health cost — some battles aren't worth fighting

But for legitimate amounts with proper documentation? Fight for your money.

Scripts for Common Situations

"We're Still Reviewing Internally"

"Understood. When can I expect a final decision? I'll mark [date] on my calendar for follow-up if I haven't heard back."

"Budget Got Cut"

"I understand budget situations change. The work was completed per our agreement, so the invoice remains due. Can we discuss a payment plan if needed?"

"We Decided Not to Use the Content"

"I understand. Per our agreement, payment is for the creation and delivery of content, not contingent on use. The invoice remains due."

No Response at All

After 30 days, send the demand letter. No more friendly emails.

Summary

Getting ghosted sucks, but it's manageable:

1. Days 1-7: Friendly follow-up
2. Days 7-14: Direct ask with deadline
3. Days 14-30: Formal notice
4. Days 30+: Escalation (demand letter, small claims)

Prevention is better than cure: vet brands, require deposits, use contracts, and never deliver final content before securing payment.

Related: Brand Deal Red Flags | Kill Fee Clause