Creating Your First Contract

Contracts are at the heart of Collabkick. They protect both brands and creators by clearly defining the collaboration terms, holding payments as secure deposits, and ensuring everyone delivers on their promises.

How Contracts Work

Every collaboration on Collabkick follows a structured flow:

Create → Propose → Accept → Fund → Deliver → Approve → Payout

For Brands: Creating a Contract

Step 1: Start a New Contract

1. Go to your Dashboard
2. Click Create Contract (or New Contract)
3. Choose your contract type:
   • Gifting Only: Product exchange, no payment
   • Gifting + Fixed Fee: Product plus set payment
   • Fixed Fee Only: Payment only, no product
   • Commission-based: Payment based on performance

Step 2: Add Basic Information

Contract Title Give your collaboration a clear name that describes the project (e.g., "Summer Skincare Review - Instagram Reel").

Brief / Description Explain what you're looking for:

• Campaign goals
• Key messages to convey
• Creative direction
• Any do's and don'ts

Tip: The clearer your brief, the better results you'll get. Include examples if possible.

Step 3: Choose a Creator

Select who you want to work with:

• Pick from your collaborators: Select from creators you've already added
• Invite by email: Enter any creator's email address
• Use a template: Share a link and let creators accept directly

Step 4: Define Deliverables

Be specific about what you expect:

• Content type: Posts, stories, reels, videos, etc.
• Quantity: How many pieces of content
• Platform: Where the content will be posted
• Requirements: Hashtags, mentions, links, disclosures
• Usage rights: How you can use the content

Example:

"2 Instagram Reels (60 seconds each) featuring our product, with #ad disclosure, tagging @yourbrand, and posted within 7 days of product receipt."

Step 5: Set Compensation

Budget (if applicable)

• The amount you'll pay the creator
• This commitment deposit is paid through Stripe Connect. Collabkick never holds the funds

Products (if applicable)

• What products you'll send
• Estimated retail value
• Shipping details

Brand Deposit

• A refundable deposit showing your commitment
• Released back to you after successful completion

Step 6: Set Timeline

• Deadline: When the work must be completed
• Start date: When the creator can begin (usually after funding)

Important: Allow enough time for quality work. Rushed deadlines lead to poor results.

Step 7: Review and Send

1. Review all contract details
2. Preview how it will look to the creator
3. Click Send to Creator (or save as draft)

The creator will receive a notification about your proposal.

For Creators: Accepting a Contract

Reviewing the Offer

When you receive a contract:

1. Go to your Dashboard or click the notification
2. Find the contract and click to view details
3. Carefully review:
   • What's being asked of you
   • Timeline and deadlines
   • Compensation and deposits
   • Brand information

What to Check

Before accepting, make sure you understand:

• ✅ Deliverables: Exactly what you need to create
• ✅ Deadline: Can you realistically deliver on time?
• ✅ Payment: Is the compensation fair for the work?
• ✅ Products: Will you receive them in time to create content?
• ✅ Requirements: Hashtags, mentions, usage rights
• ✅ Brand: Do you want to be associated with this brand?

Accepting the Contract

Happy with the terms?

1. Click Accept Contract
2. Confirm your acceptance
3. The contract moves to the funding stage

Important: Accepting means you're committing to deliver. Only accept if you're confident you can meet all requirements.

If You Need Changes

Not quite right? You can:

• Decline: If it's not a good fit at all
• Contact the brand: Discuss modifications before accepting
• Negotiate: Some terms may be flexible

After Acceptance: The Funding Stage

Once both parties accept, the contract needs to be funded.

What Gets Deposited

How Funding Works

1. Both parties receive a notification to fund
2. Complete your deposit payment
3. Once both deposits are in, work can begin
4. The commitment deposit is paid through Stripe Connect. Collabkick never holds the funds

Note: Deposits are fully refundable when the contract completes successfully. They protect both parties from no-shows.

Completing the Work

For Creators: Submitting Deliverables

When your work is ready:

1. Go to the contract
2. Click Submit Deliverables
3. Add links to your posted content
4. Include any required proof (screenshots, insights)
5. Submit for brand review

Tip: Double-check that all requirements are met before submitting. Missing a hashtag or mention could delay approval.

For Brands: Reviewing Submissions

When the creator submits:

1. You'll receive a notification
2. Review the submitted content
3. Check that all requirements are met
4. Choose an action:
   • Approve: Work meets expectations → triggers payout
   • Request Revisions: Minor changes needed
   • Open Dispute: Significant issues that can't be resolved

Contract Completion

Successful Completion

When you approve the deliverables:

1. Creator's payment is released from the secure deposit
2. Both deposits are refunded
3. Contract is marked as complete
4. Both parties can leave reviews

Auto-Approval

If you don't review within 48 hours, the submission is automatically approved. This protects creators from unresponsive brands.

Brands: Set reminders to review submissions promptly!

Contract States Explained

Tips for Success

For Brands

• 📝 Write clear, detailed briefs
• ⏰ Set realistic deadlines
• 💰 Offer fair compensation
• ⚡ Review submissions quickly
• 💬 Communicate openly with creators

For Creators

• 📖 Read contracts thoroughly before accepting
• ✅ Only accept work you can deliver
• 📅 Submit before the deadline
• 📸 Document everything (screenshots, analytics)
• 🤝 Communicate proactively if issues arise

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a contract? Yes, but it depends on the stage. Before funding, cancellation is simpler. After funding, deposits may be affected. See our disputes guide for details.

What if I need more time? Contact the other party as soon as possible. Many brands are flexible if you communicate early. Don't wait until the deadline passes.

What happens if the brand never funds? You're not obligated to work until the contract is funded. You can cancel if the brand doesn't fund within a reasonable time.

Can I work with multiple brands at once? Yes! You can have as many active contracts as you can handle. Just make sure you can deliver quality work on time for each one.

Need help with a contract? Visit our Contact page for support.