How to run a clipping campaign: brief, budget and rules
To run a clipping campaign, set a total budget and a rate per 1,000 views, write a brief telling clippers what to clip and what’s off limits, approve each clip before its views count, verify the views are real, and pay out until the budget runs out. The brief and the approvals decide whether the campaign helps or hurts your brand.
Key takeaways
- Start with the goal: reach, followers, a launch or sign-ups.
- Set a rate per 1,000 views plus a per-clip minimum and maximum payout.
- Write clear rules: required tags, banned topics and disclosure.
- Approve clips before their views count, and check for fake views.
Step 1: Set the goal and the budget
Decide what the campaign is for. A launch needs a burst of views in a short window. Channel growth needs a steady flow over weeks. The goal decides the length of the campaign and which content to clip.
Then set the total budget and the rate per 1,000 views. Many campaigns also set a minimum payout per clip, so clippers are paid for small wins, and a maximum payout per clip, so one viral clip can’t drain the whole budget.
Step 2: Write the brief
A good brief fits on one page. It should cover:
- The source content: links, folders or channels clippers can use.
- What to look for: the kinds of moments that suit your audience.
- Required elements: your handle or name on screen, tags and caption rules.
- What’s off limits: topics, people, music, or edits you don’t want.
- Disclosure: how clippers should mark paid or promotional content.
- Platforms: TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or all three.
Step 3: Approve clips before they count
Every clip should be reviewed against the brief before its views are paid. Reject clips that misquote you, cut context in a misleading way, break platform rules or ignore the required tags. Fast approvals keep clippers motivated, so aim to review daily.
Step 4: Verify views
Only pay for views on approved, live posts, taken from the platform’s public counts. Watch for signs of bought or botted views: sudden spikes, very low engagement for the view count, or audiences in unexpected countries. Remove accounts that cheat.
Step 5: Report and repeat
At the end, look at which moments, hooks and formats earned the most views per clip. Put more of your next budget behind those, and drop what didn’t work. The second campaign is almost always more efficient than the first.