Contract

A contract records what was agreed: what you will make, what you will be paid, what the brand may do with it, and what happens if something goes wrong.

Why it matters even for small deals

Not because you expect a dispute. Because writing it down is how you find out you disagreed. A surprising number of deals have two people confidently holding different beliefs about how many posts were included, and the contract is where that surfaces before it becomes a problem.

It also protects the brand, which is why asking for one rarely reads as distrust.

The clauses worth reading properly

• Usage. How long, on what channels, and whether they can put ad money behind it.
• Exclusivity. How long and how wide.
• Approvals and revisions. How many rounds are included before extra work is extra money.
• Payment terms, and what happens if they are missed.
• Termination. What you are owed if the campaign is cancelled after you have filmed.

If there is no contract

An email thread that clearly states deliverables, fee, usage and dates, agreed by both sides in writing, is far better than nothing. There is a checklist of what to include.