How to set up a simple creator contract to protect your brand and campaign outcomes

Hello — I’m Camille Dubois. Over the years I’ve reviewed dozens of creator contracts for brands and creators alike, and I’ve learned that a simple, well-structured agreement prevents more headaches than any viral brief ever could. Below I share a practical, easy-to-implement template and the reasoning behind each clause so you can quickly set up a contract that protects your brand and campaign outcomes without involving a lawyer for every TikTok.

Why a simple creator contract matters

Working with creators is exciting and fast — but that speed is also where things go wrong. Ambiguous deliverables, unclear usage rights, unpaid invoices, and unexpected content edits can derail a campaign. A concise contract clarifies expectations, protects your intellectual property, limits legal exposure, and creates a smoother relationship. You don’t need a 30-page legal tome; you need a one- to three-page agreement that covers essentials and is easy to understand and enforce.

Core elements to include

Below are the non-negotiable sections I always include. Think of each as a short promise between you and the creator — clear, specific, and actionable.

• Parties and scope: Identify the brand and the creator (legal names), campaign title, and campaign dates.
• Deliverables: Specify number of posts, formats (Reel, TikTok, Instagram Story), captions, hashtags, and any required assets (e.g., link in bio, swipe-up).
• Timing and schedule: Deadlines for content drafts, approval windows, posting windows, and dates when fees are payable.
• Compensation: Total fee, payment schedule, bonuses (for performance), and payment method.
• Usage and licensing: Exactly how the brand can reuse the content (paid ads, owned channels) and for how long.
• Exclusivity and conflicts: Whether the creator can work with competing brands during a defined period.
• FTC and platform compliance: Requirements to disclose sponsorships and comply with platform rules.
• Revisions and approvals: Number of revisions included and the approval timeline.
• Termination and remedies: Grounds for terminating the agreement and remedies for non-performance.
• Representations and warranties: Creator confirms originality and that they have rights to all third-party materials (music, images).

How to write each clause — language you can copy

I prefer short, plain-English clauses. Here are examples you can adapt.

Parties and scope:

"This Agreement is between Socialmeidanews LLC (the 'Brand') and [Creator Legal Name] (the 'Creator') for the [Campaign Name] running from [start date] to [end date]."

Deliverables:

"Creator will produce: (a) One 30-60 second Instagram Reel OR TikTok using the creative brief, (b) Two Instagram Stories (each 15s) promoting the Reel, and (c) One static image for the brand's Instagram feed. All content must include the hashtags: #ad and #[CampaignHashtag]."

Timing:

"Drafts due: [date]. Brand will review within 48 hours. Final content to be posted between [date] and [date]."

Compensation:

"Brand will pay Creator $X within 14 days of receipt of invoice and final posted content. A $Y bonus will be paid if content achieves >Z% engagement rate or >N views within 14 days of posting."

Usage & license:

"Creator grants Brand a non-exclusive, worldwide license to use the content for organic and paid social media, website, and digital ads for 12 months from posting. Brand will credit Creator in paid placements where platform mechanics permit."

Exclusivity:

"Creator agrees not to promote competing products in the [category] for 30 days before and 14 days after the posting date. Competing brands include [list examples or 'any brand in the same product category']."

Compliance & endorsements:

"Creator will disclose the partnership with clear language such as 'Sponsored by [Brand]' or using required platform tags. Creator is responsible for complying with applicable laws and platform policies."

Revisions & approvals:

"Brand is allowed two rounds of reasonable revisions. If Brand requests changes beyond two rounds, additional compensation may apply."

Termination:

"Either party may terminate with 7 days written notice if the other party materially breaches the agreement. If Creator terminates without cause after drafts submitted, Creator will refund 50% of the fee."

Representations & warranties:

"Creator represents that all content is original, that Creator has necessary rights for any music or third-party materials, and that content will not infringe third-party rights."

Practical tips for using the contract

• Keep it one page where possible. Long contracts increase friction. Aim for clarity — not legalese.
• Use checkboxes or a short table for deliverables. That reduces email back-and-forth and ensures both parties agree on exactly what’s due.
• Attach the creative brief. Reference it in the contract: "Deliverables per attached Brief A."
• Set clear approval timelines. I always use 48-hour review windows; anything longer stalls campaigns.
• Include a sample caption. If tone is critical, give a caption example and required call-to-action (CTA).
• Offer performance bonuses. Creators respond well to upside — it aligns goals and often boosts results.

Sample deliverables table

When to involve legal

For most standard influencer posts, a one-page agreement is sufficient. Involve legal when: the fee is high, the campaign includes significant exclusivity or IP transfer (work-for-hire), or if the creator is under contract with another agency. If you plan to own all rights forever or want to require moral clauses, get a lawyer to draft or review those terms.

Final notes from my experience

Simple contracts reduce friction and preserve relationships. I’ve seen creators and brands salvage campaigns by returning to a one-page agreement, clarifying deliverables, and adding a modest performance bonus. If you adopt these templates, keep the language human — creators appreciate straightforward contracts as much as brands do.

If you want, I can draft a one-page version tailored to your next campaign (platform, deliverables, budget) — tell me the platform and basic terms and I’ll write the contract language you can copy into your email or CMS.