What to Put in Your Social Media Manager Contract

If you're a social media manager, you know that working with clients involves lots of details. They have a vision for what their social presence should look like and you have been hired to execute that vision. But you want to do it in a way that protects your business legally.

Let's look at some valuable terms you need in your social media manager contract. Use a contract with each new client knowing that the following key terms will protect both you and your clients for the best creative collaboration!

1. Scope of Work: 

Kick things off by clearly outlining your scope of work. Specify the platforms you'll be handling, content creation responsibilities, and any other tasks relevant to your role. A well-defined scope sets the stage for a successful partnership.

The scope of work is usually the first clause of the agreement. You should outline your services and can even include your package offering  here. You want both you and your client to know *exactly* what services you will be providing so be clear.

And if there are services that you do not provide, you can specify that here as well. This comes in handy where an extra service that you may consider an add-on for an additional price. 

2. Contract Term and Termination: 

Define the duration of your engagement. Whether it's a project-based contract or an ongoing relationship, make sure the timeframe is crystal clear.

Is this a monthly engagement?

Or are you contracted by a three or six month term?

Whatever the duration, make it known how long you will provide services. The effective date of the contract typically indicates the start date of the services and the contract term will indicate when the services end.

Also, be sure to include a clause for termination, providing both parties with a smooth exit strategy. How do you or the client exit the agreement? This could be 14 or 30 days written notice to the other party, for example.

3. Payment Terms: 

Let's talk money!

Clearly state your compensation, whether it's an hourly rate, flat fee, or retainer. Establish payment terms, including any additional fees for extra services.

If there are penalties for late payments, such as late fees, include them here. You can also note that services will halt until late payments are received.

4. Intellectual Property Ownership: 

With social media there are a lot of digital assets being created. There is audio, video and images being delivered consistently.

Who is considered the owner of this content?

If you are creating content for ownership for your client, that content is considered "work for hire" under the U.S. Copyright law and you should indicate that with work for hire language in your contract. This gives ownership rights to the client.

On the other hand, what if you will retain ownership?

In that case, negotiate licensing or usage rights if needed to ensure that your creative essence is protected.

5. Confidentiality: 

Social media tips, tricks and strategies are confidential gems. Commit to keeping your client's secrets with a strong confidentiality clause. This builds trust and protects both parties from potential leaks.

To do this, include a confidentiality provision in your agreement stating that information given to you defined as "confidential" will be kept private.

This provides your client comfort knowing that their social media practices are safe from competitors.

6. Expenses: 

When it comes to expenses, typically the social media manager will cover their own expenses necessary to do the job.

That said, depending on the arrangement you have with your client, there may be costs associated directly with the client that you may want to be reimbursed for.

In those cases, your contract should state that the client will reimburse pre-approved expenses.

You and your client can discuss these expenses beforehand (no surprises) and then you can give the receipts to the client for reimbursement.

7. Timing: 

It's always helpful to have a clause about timing in these type of agreements. Let's say you're waiting on your client to give you the passwords to the social media accounts you are managing.

You cannot perform your duties without this information so if they are delaying the project, that's a waste of your time.

I like to include a clause about timing so that just in case the client becomes unresponsive or extremely slow in responding, you have an out if you cannot perform your duties after a certain period of time.

8. Milestones & Deliverables: 

Next up, to set expectations for both you, it's helpful to include a schedule of what will be delivered to each party and when.

If you will not attach a statement of work, that's no problem but it's helpful to include a list of any expected milestones / deliverables that shows what is due, by whom and when.

Provide anticipated dates for completion of each stage.

And if you have a list of items that the client needs to submit to you to jumpstart the project, those items may be listed here with due dates as well.

Having a schedule of deliverables in the contract helps to keep everyone on track.

Use a Social Media Manager Agreement

By incorporating these key terms into your social media manager contract, you're not just protecting your interests but also fostering a relationship built on trust and transparency. 

The Legal Goodness Social Media Manager Contract Template  is full of the terms you need to protect yourself as you work with clients. 

This template is simple to use. Fill in the blanks and you’re ready to go! It is also easily modifiable to suit needs specific to your business.

Need more comprehensive legal info including templates and videos?

Learn about Legally Good Club and get tips on how to protect your business legally starting today, by watching my free legal workshop.

This blog posting is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not provided for specific, individual legal advice.