With television shows like ‘Emily in Paris’, the idea of being a micro-influencer, social media influencer or blogger looks appealing.

The reality can be a rather different experience. When you are invited to an event or sent a gift arrangement, you’ll be required to promote the brand with some guidelines.

You might like to think of this as a freelancing job. And often it can feel like work. You’ll need to dress up professionally (unless you’re a film reviewer), and do some market research beforehand so that you are prepared and feeling confident when you meet with your client.

I’ve been asked a number of times what a social media influencer or blogger’s contract looks like. I personally prefer a well-written media release with some optional professional photography to use.

I prefer to sign agreements only when the payment or gifting arrangement is valued above AUS$100. It’s a better use of everyone’s time to sign a year-long gifting arrangement to attend a chain on cinemas over each film preview event. (However, I’ll happily make an exception for Warner Bros film premieres).

Benefits of an influencer contract:

• specifies exactly what the agreement is
• contains useful information for posting and writing, including the correct hashtags and social media channels
• includes space for a signature

Disadvantages of an influencer contract:

• doesn’t allow for creative freedom and can be a buzz kill if there are too many rules and requirements
• not necessarily legally binding (please ask your qualified lawyer for advice)
• slows down the process

Guidelines for Social media influencer and blogger contracts

Here are some general guidelines for creating social media influencer and blogger contracts:

• email is the best way to communicate (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram messages are okay for initial contact, but please move to email for longer correspondence and negotiations)
• address emails using a person’s name and personalise each one
• clear communication is key
• layout the contract in a table for easy reading
• save the agreement as an editable PDF file
• save any photographs to a Dropbox or Google Drive
• use signed delivery to ensure the package arrives to the right person
• add a personalised note to your package with a printed out media release (if relevant)
• if you don’t hear anything then follow up is okay

Here is an outline of an agreement which I used via a public relations company:

<Company or Event Name>

Social Media Influencer Agreement

Agreement between <influencer’s name> and <company> outlining creative content creation and event promotion to promote <product or event> and related activities/events. <influencer’s name> agrees to deliver on the below obligations in line with the specified due date, using key messages, and required handles, tags and links.

Duties and Obligations of the Influencer:

Name: <influencer’s name>
Product/Show: <specific product or event>
<date, if revelent>
Products / Number of Tickets: 1 <or what product received or payment>

Social Media Accounts

Instagram: – <e.g. @womenlovetech>
Facebook: – <e.g. @womenlovetech>
Website or Blog: (if applicable): <[e.g. https://womenlovetech.com.au/>

Agreed upon activity

• 1 x Instagram post via @womenlovetech
  Due: <day before event>
  Key message: Getting excited for xxxx
  Required tags: @companyname #companytag #campaigntag
  Geotagging to the venue.
• 1 x Instagram story via @womenlovetech
  Due: <day of the event>
  Key message: Having fun at xxxxx, about to see xxxxxxx
  Required tags: @companyname #companytag #campaigntag
• 1 x Instagram post via @womenlovetech
  Due: <day after the event>
  Key message: Having/had a fantastic time at xxxx, Tickets on sale now – xxxxx.company.com.au
  Required tags: @companyname #companytag #campaigntag
  Geotagging to the venue.

For social media posts, the following details must be included (where applicable):
Facebook: www.facebook.com/companyname
Instagram @companyname #companytag #campaigntag
Twitter: @companyname
Youtube: www.youtube.com/companyname
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/companyname

Signed

Line and space for both parties to sign on a line, with the date and their full names.

Please leave a comment and let us know about your experiences with using Social media influencer and blogger contracts: