How to ask a creator for permission to reuse a clip (with message templates)

The simplest way to reuse someone's video legitimately is to ask. It sounds obvious, but in our experience most people skip it because they don't know what to say, worry it will seem awkward, or assume the creator won't reply. A clear, respectful message gives you the best possible chance of a reply, and many creators, especially smaller ones, are glad someone noticed their work.

This guide gives you copy-ready templates and the reasoning behind them, so you can adapt them rather than send something that sounds like a robot wrote it.

What every permission request needs

A creator can only say yes to something they understand. Whatever template you use, make sure your message answers these five questions:

1. Who are you? Your name, and the account, outlet, school or company you represent.
2. Which clip? Paste the exact post link. Creators post a lot, so "your video from yesterday" is not enough.
3. Where will it appear? The platform(s), and whether it's a personal account, a client's page, a broadcast, a paid ad.
4. How will you use it? Full clip or an excerpt? Edited, captioned, cropped, mixed with other footage? For how long will it stay up?
5. How will you credit them? On-screen credit, a handle in the caption, a link, a payment?

If you can't answer all five yet, work them out first. Vague requests get vague answers, and a vague "sure" is weak permission if anything goes wrong later.

Where to send the message

• X direct message, if the creator has DMs open. It's the most direct route.
• A reply to the post, if DMs are closed. Keep it short and public-friendly: "Hi! I'd love to feature this in [where]. Could you DM me or tell me the best way to ask permission?" Don't paste a full contract in a reply.
• Email or a contact form, if their bio or website lists one. For commercial use this is better, because it leaves a cleaner record.
• Their agent or licensing partner, if the bio says something like "for licensing contact…". Viral-video creators often work with licensing agencies; going through them is faster and more professional.

Template 1: Personal or non-commercial reuse

Use this when you want to share a clip on your own non-monetised account or a community page.

Hi [name], I really enjoyed your video here: [post link] I run [your account / community page], a non-commercial page about [topic] with about [rough audience size, if relevant] followers. Would you be OK with me reposting this clip there? I'd post the full video unedited, credit you as @[handle] in the caption with a link back to your post, and take it down any time you ask. No problem at all if you'd rather I didn't. Thanks either way!

Why it works: it's short, it shows you've watched their work, it offers a removal promise, and it makes "no" easy. People say yes more readily when they don't feel cornered.

Template 2: Editorial or news use

For journalists, newsletters and publications.

Hello [name], I'm [your name], a [reporter/editor] at [outlet]. We're preparing a [story/segment] about [topic], and your video [post link] shows [what it shows] clearly. We'd like to use [the full clip / roughly X seconds from the middle] in our [online article / broadcast / social posts], credited on screen as "Video: @[handle] / X". It would be published on [date or "this week"]. Could you confirm that you filmed it yourself and that we have your permission to use it in this way? If you'd like to be credited differently, or by your real name, let us know. Many thanks, [name, role, outlet, contact email]

Note the line asking them to confirm they filmed it. The account that posted a video isn't always the person who recorded it. Reposts of reposts are common. Permission from the wrong person isn't permission.

Template 3: Educational use

For teachers, trainers and course creators.

Hi [name], I teach [subject] at [school/organisation] and would love to use your video [post link] as an example in [a lesson / an online course module] about [topic]. It would be shown to [students in class / enrolled learners on a private course platform / the public on YouTube]. I'd credit you on screen and in the description. [The course is free / The course is paid.] Would that be OK with you? Happy to share the finished lesson if you'd like to see it.

Be honest about whether the course is paid. Creators react differently to free school use and to a paid product, and they deserve to know which it is.

Template 4: Commercial or brand use

For businesses, agencies and anyone using a clip in marketing, ads or a monetised channel.

Hello [name], I'm [your name] from [company/agency]. We'd like to license your video [post link] for [specific use: e.g. a 15-second paid social ad for our product on Instagram and X, running for 3 months in Morocco and France]. We'd edit it by [trimming to 15 seconds / adding captions / adding our logo at the end]. We can offer [fee / "a fee, let us know your rate"] and credit as @[handle]. If you work with an agent or licensing partner, we're happy to go through them. Could we set up a simple written agreement?

For commercial use, get it in writing and pay fairly. A DM saying "sure lol" is thin protection if a brand campaign is later challenged, and it isn't fair to the creator either.

Template 5: The polite follow-up

If there's no reply after about a week:

Hi [name], just following up on my message about your video [post link]. No pressure at all; if you'd rather it wasn't used, I completely understand and won't use it. Thanks!

One follow-up is fine. Two or more starts to feel like pressure. Silence is not a yes.

When they say yes

1. Thank them and confirm the details back in one line ("Great, I'll post the full clip on @[account] on Friday with credit to @[handle]").
2. Save the conversation. Take screenshots of the full thread showing their handle and the date, and export or copy the text. Keep it with the video file. If they gave permission by email, save the email as a PDF.
3. Get the best file. Ask if they can send you the original. It will look better than anything downloaded. If not, save the clip from their public post at the highest quality available.
4. Do exactly what you said. If you asked to repost it unedited, don't then crop it into a meme. If your plans change, ask again.

When they say no, or ask for money

• No means no. Thank them and move on. Don't repost it "anyway, with credit".
• A fee request is reasonable. If it's beyond your budget, say so politely; sometimes there's a cheaper option like a shorter clip or a different platform.
• Conditions are normal. "Yes, but no edits" or "yes, but not on TikTok" are common. Follow them.

Troubleshooting

DMs are closed and there's no email. Try a short public reply, look for a website or other social accounts in their bio, or search for their name plus "contact". If you can't reach them, embed or quote the post instead of re-uploading.

The account seems to be a repost account. Look for an earlier upload, a watermark, or replies saying "this is from @someone". Ask the original creator, not the reposter.

They gave permission, then changed their mind. Take it down. Holding onto a "but you said yes" argument costs goodwill and, for non-commercial use without a contract, usually isn't worth it.

I'm in a hurry for breaking news. Newsrooms often rely on editorial exceptions for short excerpts, but standard practice is still to try to contact the creator and to credit them prominently. Our fair use guide explains why these exceptions are narrower than people think.

A note from us

We built TwitterDownloaderX for people saving their own content or content they've been allowed to use. That's why our responsible use page asks you to download only what you have the right to keep. Asking takes five minutes, and when the answer is yes, you get to use the clip with a clear conscience and a creator who knows about it.