How to craft a contract between you and your advertisers
One of the questions I get asked most often is how to craft a contract between you and your advertisers.
I get it! This makes complete sense – after all, as Facebook group admins, it’s not always second nature for us to be setting up contracts. My set up took a lot of trial and error, and I’d like to share my best tips with you here.
I also fully explain my contract setup tips in this video:
Name it!
Make sure you include the client’s first name, last name, company name, and any other relevant info, such as address, phone number, email, etc. directly on the contract.
I use this intro format at the top of the contract:
Agreement for:
- First name
- Last name
- Company name
- Address
- Welcome your new client
Include a small welcome, such as: “We are excited to begin working with you! In order to proceed, here is what you agree to:”
Add the list of expectations:
I use a digital program called 17hats* for my contracts and I require that the client initial every bulleted step in the contract. I highly recommend this because it forces people to read. If you use a written contract, you may want to do the same by providing an area after each bullet for initials.
Include your requirements for the points that apply to your business below. You may need to add additional items depending on your specific business, but these are some things to consider:
When work on and placement of the ad will begin – for example, do you require payment first?
Make sure they understand what they need to send you by which date, and add that to the agreement – for example, I agree to send (XYZ) to (YOU) by (DATE):
- Images
- Text
- Logos
- Link
- Facebook page or group to reference
- Anything else?
Who will be designing the ad?
If your client will, make sure the details of what you need are laid out fully. If you are providing design service, be clear about the number of iterations permitted and what you need in order to get started, for example: logo, tagline, website, etc.
Ad location
Make sure you indicate somewhere exactly when and where the ad will appear. Be super precise. Including a screenshot is an excellent idea.
Will you allow any swapping out of the ad?
How often? What if there is an error or what if they want a change? Will you permit this? Be super clear about any changes requested for ads.
Add your refund policy
example: “No refunds will be given as we have already reserved this spot for your business”
Specify how long it will take to put the ad in place.
Many people assume when something is digital that it will be online within hours. Be clear about how much time you need in order to put this in place and add that to the contract.
Expectations for ad leads:
I add a caveat that says, “I understand that, as with all advertising, leads from my ad are not guaranteed.” I want to be clear that people are advertising “at their own risk.”
Disclaimers:
Be sure to include any further disclaimers. One thing to consider is that since we have little control over Facebook, I like to add a disclaimer indicating the risk of Facebook-group-related ads. Remember that Facebook is a third party platform with its own terms of service and they can terminate any community at any time with notice. This is a risk your clients will need to understand.
Expectations for communication:
I add expectations about communication. For example, I hate the phone. I add info about when we are available (NOT traditional hours) and best way to get in touch (email address).
Signature area:
Add a signature area for both of you, if this is a physical contract. Mine are digitally signed.
End the contract with warm fuzzies:
Add something like: “Thank you! We are excited to promote your business!”
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