Ask ten creators how they track their brand deals and you'll get ten answers: a pinned DM, a notes app, a Google Sheet, sticky notes, "my memory." They all work — right up until you're running enough deals that "my memory" starts dropping things.
The three common ways, and where each breaks
DMs and a notes app. Zero setup, and fine for one deal. But the moment you have three brands in three threads, you're scrolling to remember who wanted what, when it's due, and whether they paid. Nothing reminds you of anything.
A spreadsheet. A real step up — everything's in one grid. But a spreadsheet can't nudge you about a deadline, can't tell you an invoice is unpaid, and can't hold the contract or the rights. (We break down exactly where it falls apart in spreadsheet vs. a real system.)
A pipeline. Every deal gets a stage — talking, negotiating, booked, delivered, paid — plus a deadline and its money on one record. Instead of re-reading everything to figure out what's next, you glance at one view.
A pipeline vs. a list
The core difference: a list is something you maintain, and a pipeline is something that works for you. One asks you to remember; the other surfaces what needs you.
Try the shape of it, free
If you've never used a pipeline, the fastest way to feel the difference is to try one. The free UGC Deal Tracker gives you stages and totals in your browser — no signup. It's deliberately simple, so the limits (it lives in one browser, no reminders, no invoices) show you exactly what a real system adds.
How this works on Plug
Plug Pro's pipeline gives every deal a stage, a deadline with reminders, and its brief, contract, invoice, and payment status on one record — with a "needs you" queue so nothing stalls. It's a flat monthly price with zero per-deal fees, and you can import your existing spreadsheet to start.
See how UGC deals work end to end, or start with the free Deal Tracker.