Do you want to protect your creative work and secure fair compensation as a content creator or influencer? Today's guest, Kameron Buckner, joins us to share the ultimate solutions to help you achieve these goals. Not only is she a powerful attorney, but she's a content creator who understands the ins and outs of what we do every day.
Get ready to learn the legal insights and strategies that will empower you to ensure protection of the work you pour your heart and soul into. Listen in as we explore contracts, negotiations, and taking control of your legal journey as a content creator.
Disclaimer: Although Kameron is a licensed attorney, she is not your lawyer. This is for educational and informative purposes only.
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Legally Protecting Yourself as a Content Creator
Whether you realize it or not, you're dealing with contracts on a daily basis as a content creator. From understanding the terms and conditions on the platform that you're creating on to establishing agreements with brands and partnership—these all (or at least should) include a contract.
The Importance of Contracts
Understanding contractual agreements is a fundamental part of navigating the influencer and creator space. Many creators underestimate the implications such clauses may have on their work and the protection it offers them. Essentially, contracts act as a legal barricade, defining the specifics of an agreement, ensuring fair practices, and safeguarding the parties involved from potential exploitations.
Contracts establish a clear set of conditions that both the creator and the other involved parties must adhere to. They are instrumental in solidifying commitments, outlining authorities, and even settling disputes should they arise in the future.
Kameron underlines the importance of having a contract, especially with brand collaborations that involve the exchange of products for posts. She emphasizes that by understanding and establishing contracts, creators safeguard their rights and deliverables ensuring they aren't shortchanged in the process.
What to Look Out for in Contracts with Brands & Partnerships
While it is so valuable for content creators to work with an attorney, there are a few things to keep an eye out for no matter what:
- Perpetuity - When brands as to use your content in perpetuity, it means they can use it forever. Instead, you should avoid this and request them to remove that level of usage.
- Exclusivity Clauses - You want to make sure that you can make the most out of your career as a creator—if a brand asks you for exclusivity for a specific time period, you can't work with any other brand. This opens the door for negotiation on terms or price point. (Make sure they list their competitors that it includes.)
- Collaboration Length - While it may feel ideal to get a long-term contract with long-term payouts, it's important to consider how long you want to commit to a brand, if your rates will increase during the contract, or if your business grows and provides more opportunity. You can consider quarterly price increases.
If a brand is not willing to negotiate at all, that is a red flag. Contracts should be mutually beneficial.
Two Key Lessons for Content Creators
1. What's for you is for you. Don't compare yourself.
Kameron's life motto is exactly this. What you're meant to be doing will come in it's own timing. Even when other creators are getting what you want, there is still time for you later—support them now.
2. Don't be afraid to pivot.
Kameron's career hasn't always been linear—from choosing a career in law, to working at a firm, then leaving to be a content creator, she's had her own share of pivots. You can make it work in whatever pivot you need to do that will make you happy. As you're trying to find the courage to pivot, make sure that you're clear and confident in your decision—then you can discuss the practicalities of it with those around you. This includes crafting your elevator pitch.
What's for you is for you. If an opportunity was meant for you, it would have come your way. Don't compare yourself to others, focus on your own journey.
- Kameron Buckner
Resources Mentioned
Find It Quickly
- 04:56 - The Importance of Contracts
- 08:14 - Exclusivity Clauses
- 11:07 - Copyright and Intellectual Property
- 15:34 - FTC Guidelines and Disclosures
- 13:11 - Mitigating Damages After Signing a Contract
- 13:40 - The Importance of Building an Email List
- 15:12 - Risks of Long-Term Contracts
- 16:58 - "What's for You is for You" and Avoiding Comparison
- 19:20 - Embracing Pivots in Your Career
- 25:47 - Crafting Your Own Identity
- 26:36 - Self-Confidence and Letting Go
- 27:24 - Surrounding Yourself with Positive Influences
Connect with Kameron
- thelegaltea.com
- instagram.com/thelegalteasocial
- instagram.com/kameronmonet
- linkedin.com/in/kameronmbuckner
More about Bree Pair:
Bree Pair is a blogging coach and founder of Thrive - A blogging community built to empower and educate bloggers to make a full-time income by spending time on the right things. Her passion is helping bloggers create a strategy for growth and working with them on every side of their business to give them the confidence they need to be successful. Bree is propelled by the results of seeing bloggers go from overwhelmed to steady and sustained growth and creating the lifestyle they want.
Follow Bree on Instagram!
