How a Business Hired a Lawyer to Review an Influencer Agreement in California

For influencer agreements, make sure the contract spells out exactly how and when you’ll get paid. If it’s a flat fee, the amount and payment date should be clear. If it’s commission-based, you should know how sales are tracked, when you’ll see reports, and how disputes get handled. Watch for terms like “net 60” or “payment upon approval,” which can delay things. If you’re putting your own time and money into content, it’s fair to ask for partial payment upfront. Scope of Work and Deliverables Don’t leave anything open to interpretation. The contract should list how many posts you’re creating, what kind (Reels, TikToks, Stories, etc.), any required hashtags, and when everything needs to go live. Watch out for vague phrases like “other content as requested.” That’s a red flag and can easily lead to extra work without extra pay. Creative Control and Revisions Most brands want to approve content before it goes live, and that’s normal. But unlimited rounds of revisions can drag things out and kill your creative voice. It’s reasonable to allow one or two rounds of edits, tops. That way, you stay in control of your content and timeline. Exclusivity and Non-Competes If the brand wants exclusivity, make sure it’s specific. A clause that says “no competitors” could stop you from working with tons of other brands. Ask for clarity. Something like “other organic skincare brands” is more reasonable. Also, check the time limit. Thirty to sixty days after your last post is common. If they want more, they should pay more. Usage Rights and Ownership This part is big. Unless they’re paying you a premium, you should keep ownership of your content. It’s fine to give the brand a license to use it, but that license should be limited—by time, by geography, and by platform. For example, they can post it on their social media for six months, but not run it in ads forever. Be careful with phrases like “perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free rights.” If that’s in the deal, the payment should reflect it. FTC Compliance Whether or not the contract mentions it, you’re legally responsible for disclosing any brand partnerships. That means clearly tagging posts with #ad, #sponsored, or something similar. The FTC requires it, and if you skip it, you could get hit with enforcement (not just the brand). So don’t cut corners here. Termination and Cancellation Look at how either side can end the agreement. If the brand can cancel at any time, try to negotiate a clause that pays you for any work you’ve already done. The same goes for you. If you need to walk away because they don’t pay or violate the terms, you should still be compensated for what you delivered. Indemnification and Legal Risk You might see a clause that says you’ll cover the brand’s losses if your content causes a legal problem. That’s not unusual, but it should go both ways. If their product claims get you in trouble, they should protect you too. At the very least, your responsibility should only cover things in your control—like posting false claims or using copyrighted material without permission. Morality and Behavior Clauses These are meant to protect the brand’s reputation, which makes sense. But the language should be clear. It’s fair for them to back out if you’re charged with a crime or do something serious that reflects poorly on them. But avoid vague wording like “anything the brand believes could hurt its image.” That kind of clause is too subjective and risky. Governing Law and Disputes Always check which state’s laws apply and where disputes have to be resolved. If you’d have to fight a legal battle across the country, that’s a problem. It’s worth asking to use your home state’s laws or suggest neutral arbitration instead of court. Experienced contract attorneys at Contracts Counsel can guide you through drafting or reviewing your Influencer Agreement to make sure you're fully protected.

Hi, Your rights and obligations in case the brand decides to terminate the agreement "unexpectedly" largely depend on why the brand terminates the agreement, and what exactly the termination clause says.