How to end a campaign (and what happens to unspent budget)
You can end a funded campaign whenever you want. Ending is fair to both sides: creators who already posted get a final window to finish earning, and whatever they don't earn comes back to you.
End vs delete
Draft campaigns that were never funded can be deleted — they disappear completely. Once a campaign has been funded it can be ended, not deleted: it stays visible with an Ended badge so its results and history are never lost.
What happens when you end a campaign
- 1
New submissions stop instantly
The moment you confirm, creators can no longer join or submit — the campaign leaves Discover.
- 2
Existing clips finish counting
Clips that are already approved keep earning from views for up to 7 days while their counts finalise. Submissions waiting on review can still be reviewed during this window.
- 3
The campaign closes
When everything is finalised the campaign shows as Ended. If nothing was still counting when you ended it, this happens immediately — no waiting.
- 4
Unspent budget goes to your wallet
Whatever creators didn't earn is returned to your Shoot wallet automatically, less Shoot's 7%. Use it to fund another campaign instantly at no further fee, or contact support to withdraw it.
Changed your mind?
During the 7-day window you can resume the campaign at any time — it goes straight back live and nothing is lost.
Ending a popular campaign doesn't cancel what creators have already earned — their clips keep earning through the final window. The wallet receives whatever is left after that.
Frequently asked
Why can't I delete a funded campaign?+
Money moved through it — creators earned from it and records need to stay auditable. Ending keeps the history while returning the unspent budget to you.
How long until I get the unspent budget back?+
Instantly if nothing was still counting views when you ended it. Otherwise up to 7 days, while existing clips finish their final counting window.
Do I get the platform fee back?+
No. Shoot's 7% is charged on what creators were paid and on the budget you take back unspent. Budget that keeps running costs nothing extra — which is why it pays to let a campaign finish.
What happens to submissions I never reviewed?+
They can still be reviewed during the 7-day window. Anything left unreviewed when the campaign closes is automatically declined and costs nothing.
Related articles
The brand wallet: deposits, returned budgets, and withdrawals
Your Shoot wallet holds money you deposit plus unspent budget returned from ended campaigns (less Shoot's 7%). Fund campaigns from it instantly with no extra fee; withdrawals go through support back to your original payment method.
How campaign funding and escrow works
Brands fund a campaign's budget up front and those funds are held until creators' approved work clears. Approved creators are paid automatically; Shoot's 7% is charged on payouts and on budget returned unspent.
How to launch a campaign (for brands)
Build a campaign in the wizard — basics, budget, platforms & pay, content rules, access & proof — then fund it. Creators post clips, you approve them from a real-time queue, and you pay only for approved performance.
Didn't answer your question?
Reach a human — we're happy to help.
Message us
Last updated 2026-07-22