Though the average influencer partnership can appear informal, a business relationship of any kind needs a contract.

It helps communicate obligations, expectations, and deliverables. By formalizing relationships, you can be sure that your budget is being spent on precisely what you discussed.

Here are seven key elements to include in your contract to be certain your bases are covered:

Agreement, deliverables, a cancellation/void clause, creation and approval process, exclusivity and confidentiality, compensation, and FTC compliance

1. Agreement – The agreement legitimizes the relationship by dictating the entities involved, the purpose of the contract, and the dates it pertains to.
2. Deliverables – Itemizing deliverables ensures the influencer is acutely aware of what you’re paying them to do. You can go so far as to say what needs to be delivered when, the form it needs to be delivered in, and the quality you expect. These details can be hashed out with the influencer before signing the contract.
3. Cancellation – Including a cancellation clause, with reference to the itemized deliverables, ensures you can exit the contract if your needs and expectations aren’t met. This can range from the quality of the product created to the number of times an influencer shares the post.
4. Creation and approval – If you’re giving an influencer some room for creativity, it’s wise to add in an official approval process, wherein the influencer has to clear their work with you before publication. This ensures quality, brand safety, and a transparent relationship.
5. Exclusivity and confidentiality – Exclusivity means that an influencer can’t repurpose any content produced for you elsewhere, while confidentiality insists they don’t disclose any details of the relationship that might put your brand at risk.
6. Compensation – Detailing compensation and payment terms formalizes the process by which an influencer is paid for their work. Whether you’re compensating them with free merchandise or paying them based on their performance, it’s vital to list out every possibility of compensation to prevent any future disagreements.
7. FTC compliance – FTC compliance is as important for an influencer’s career as it is for your brand’s good name. Complying with disclosure guidelines keeps you in the clear from fines and legal action.

Formalizing relationships doesn’t just protect you from the (hopefully rare) scenario in which something goes wrong; when both sides clearly communicate their needs, it improves transparency, streamlines workflows, and makes the overall experience seamless.

You can download a template contract here to get started today, or if you’re a Julius customer, check out our Help Center for more detailed information regarding contracts, negotiations, and common practices.