Brand collaboration brief and contract checklist (general information, not legal advice)
Before you film paid content, everything agreed should be written in one place. It can be a contract, a brief or even a summary email. This prevents most disputes at the end of the work. This article is a general checklist and is not legal advice. Before signing a significant agreement, it is a good idea to consult a lawyer.
What must be in the brief?
A vague brief is a source of arguments. Ask to receive in writing: - Deliverables: how many videos, photos or stories, how long and in what format. - Platforms: where the content will go up. - Messages: two or three things the brand wants to convey, and how you phrase them in your own style. - Off limits: words, competitors or things that must not appear. - Call to action: a coupon code, a link in your bio, tagging the brand. - Timeline: when the product arrives, when you send a draft and when you publish.
How many revisions and approvals?
An approval process that drags on for weeks is one of the biggest causes of delay. Define in advance: - How many rounds of revisions are included in the price. - What counts as a revision, and what counts as a reshoot that costs extra. - Within how many days the brand returns comments. - What happens if there is no answer: whether the content counts as approved.
What is the scope of usage rights?
Usage rights are part of what the brand pays for, so they need to be defined: - Whether the content goes up only on your channels, or also on the brand's. - Whether the brand can promote it as an ad through your account, and for how long. - Duration of use: a month, three months, a year. Avoid "unlimited time" without separate payment. - Whether it can be used outside social media, for example on signage or television.
What about exclusivity?
If the brand wants you not to work with competitors, write it explicitly: - Who the competitors are, as a closed list and not a general definition. - For how long, for example a few weeks before and after publishing. - What you are paid for the restriction. Exclusivity is worth money.
How and when are you paid?
Everything about money should be written clearly: - The amount, and whether it includes VAT. - The payment date, and payment terms such as net plus a number of days. - Whether there is an advance before work begins, and what share. - Who covers related expenses such as travel, location or equipment. - When you issue an invoice or receipt, and who you send it to.
What if something changes?
In real work, products arrive late, plans change and sometimes a campaign is cancelled. It is worth setting: - What happens if the product or information from the brand arrives late. - Whether there is a partial payment if the brand cancels after you started work. - How you decide to postpone publishing when the security or news situation does not allow it.
What do you check in the fine print?
An agreement that comes from the brand was written by its side. Pay special attention to: - Indemnification clauses: whether you are expected to compensate the brand for problems with the product or materials it supplied. - Marking the collaboration: make sure the agreement does not forbid marking the content as sponsored. - Limits of liability: whether there is a cap on what you might have to pay. - Credit: whether the brand can use the content without saying you created it. - Status: that the relationship is that of an independent service provider, not an employee.
If something is unclear, ask for clarification in writing or ask a lawyer. Do not sign what you did not understand.
How do we help with this?
We keep your deals in one place, together with tasks and a calendar for delivery and publishing dates, and prepare draft replies to brands in your voice. We are not lawyers and do not replace one. Everything waits for your approval, and nothing is sent on its own. You can join the waitlist.