I take content creation very seriously, as for me it's both my passion and my business and it's something I intend on pursuing for a long time. This is why I think it's really important that we talk more about the standards that should be set in this industry and ways that things should be done, to ensure the creator space continues to thrive and survive. 

I have conversations daily about this with both brands and influencers, so i'm actually putting together a full Guide To Working With Influencers and Brands to hopefully educate those who are having trouble navigating their way through the industry or who aren't sure about the way things work. However, in the meantime, I wanted to put this post together and share a few important things every content creator should know and key things to keep in mind when using your influence and collaborating with brands. I really hope you find this post useful and please drop me a comment below if there's anything specific you'd like to know or you'd like me to cover in my guide.

Read The Contract

To give an example, a brand recently sent a contract that stated they could amend the agreed compensation "if they see fit" and they will terminate the contract when they are "satisfied" with my content. If I agreed to that, worst case, A) they could suddenly decide to pay me half my rate and they'd be within their rights and B) I could be bound to that contract for 4 months or 4 years, or however long it takes for them to be "satisfied".  It was completely ambiguous and didn't protect me or my brand in any way, and there were numerous other red flags too, so needless to say I didn't sign.

So, when I say that you need to read your contract, you NEED to read your contracts properly. The majority of brands are actually very transparent, fair, and respectful, however, it's worth spending that bit of extra time and it'll pay off when you do catch those unprofessional and shady terms that don't serve you or your brand. You should also read to check for accuracy and typos - pay attention to your name, address, deliverables, compensation, and anything else you've agreed on.

My best advice? Never rush signing the contract. If there are lots of changes to be made, request it in a Word Document and edit using Track Changes. Look out for exclusivity clauses and whether you're restricted from working with conflicting brands (that's not a bad thing, but you need to be aware of it). And if something seems amiss, ALWAYS raise it with the brand. Remember, it's a partnership and it's a two-way street, so maintain open communication, be fair, and make sure the contract works for you as much as it does for them. 

Pay Attention To Content Rights

If you're a content creator, how clued up are you when it comes to content rights? It's not something that's widely discussed, but it's an important thing to keep in mind when you're negotiating projects and signing contracts. 

So what exactly are content rights? Well, when you create content, that content belongs to you. You are the original author and the creator of the copyrighted content, which means you have the exclusive right to reproduce, modify or distribute your work in any way. Content can mean blog posts, videos, photos, presentations, essentially anything you've created. But that content is yours. 

Often, brands will request permission to use your content. It's usually because they want to be able to share your content on their social media pages, which personally I'm okay with as long as they credit me. However, sometimes, brands will request that you grant them full ownership of that content, so they can use, modify and redistribute that content in any way shape or form. For me, this is a BIG no-no, unless they're willing to pay a whole lot extra to obtain those content rights. A brand recently requested full exclusive photo rights and the ability to use my content in any way they wish, including in retail stores worldwide. If I agreed, they could plaster my images over a billboard or use it in a shop window anywhere in the world, and they wouldn't require any approval from me (or have to pay for it) because I would have signed over the rights to that content.

Now do you see why it's important to read the contract? Ultimately, everyone is different and your content is yours to use or distribute how you wish. But if you're signing over ownership of your content, make sure you're comfortable with that and you pay attention to that part of the contract. 

Be Genuine

I wanted to save this one til last as it's something I feel strongly about. The whole existence of Influencer Marketing relies on authenticity and trust. Being genuine and honest is one of my biggest and most important values, and this industry wouldn't exist without that level of trust. That's why as content creators, we have a responsibility to make sure the campaigns we work on are ones we actually genuinely believe in and can vouch for, and to always uphold those standards and values.

Personally, I will never accept a partnership or promote a product unless I genuinely like it and I like the brand. My measure is, would I go out and buy this myself? Would I recommend it to my friend or my mum? If the answer is no, then it's not something I should be working on. 

I'm not going to lie - it's tempting to accept partnership proposals that aren't aligned with my values or brand, especially if they're really well paid. That money could pay my rent, or pay for new equipment, or pay for a flight. However, my integrity and trust with my audience are worth SO much more than 1 cheque. I'd hate to lose the trust of my audience by recommending a lousy product or something i've never even tried, as the last thing I'd want is for my audience to feel duped. 

So creators, as hard as it can be, don't ever get blinded by payment and make sure that being genuine and authentic form a part of your core values, no matter your audience size. Your word, your values and integrity are worth so much. There's a reason why brands are reverting to Influencer Marketing, and that's because people trust our word more than a magazine spread or TV commercial. So that word needs to be honest, genuine and mean something in order for this industry to survive.

The Look

I also want to take a second to note how much I am in love with this Lulu's dress! They gifted it to me recently and it was my first encounter with the brand, but their clothing is beautiful and really well made. This is the first maxi wrap dress i've ever owned and I love it, and the colour is stunning. We shot these photos on a recent trip to Oliver, for the Half-Corked Marathon Weekend (which i'll be sharing more on soon), in the most beautiful vineyards and the most beautiful setting.