Yes, I have blacklisted a brand before 😬 (this was YEARS ago)

Let’s do a little storytime, shall we? 👇

Working with this brand (which I’ll leave nameless) was honestly the most stressful partnership for me and my team. 🫠 We’re talking constant feedback changes, revisions on top of revisions, and even contract terms shifting halfway through the project. It felt like trying to hit a moving target while blindfolded!

Here’s what it taught me:
✅ I will always script brand collabs word-for-word, especially with brands I’m working with for the first time.
✅ I will always get the script approved by the brand before I film.
✅ I will always be very clear with contracts and deliverable expectations.

Having a brand request script tweaks is way easier than having to refilm an entire video. This one adjustment has saved me HOURS (and my sanity).

Now, let me clarify. I know revisions are part of the collaboration process. That’s no big deal. I will happily make revisions for a brand.

The issue was the way they phrased the revisions: calling my content “boring,” saying what I created was “pointless,” and then completely changing the talking points and campaign brief after I had already filmed. On top of that, they assumed they were getting usage rights to run ads on the post, even though they originally said no to that.

What are your non-negotiables when working with brands? Do you have any nightmare experiences?