Social Media and Brand Managers: How to Choose the Best Contract Template

As an independent brand or social media manager, you make brands stand out. You’re a valuable asset to the companies you work with. You also enjoy the flexibility and creativity of being a business owner. Still, sometimes you face challenges like: unclear client expectations, payment issues, or having projects stretched beyond what you agreed to. That’s why it’s so important to have a strong brand manager contract or social media manager contract in place from the start.

Our attorneys at The Legal Paige want to help you set clear terms and avoid liability. We’ve created a Social Media Management Contract Template and a Brand & Media Management Contract Template to help you get set up for success! These two contracts may seem similar at first, but there are some key differences that you should be aware of. Let’s review these roles and contracts so you can find the contract best tailored to you and your services! 

What does social media management include?

First, let’s review what a social media manager does. A social media manager is responsible for a business’s brand exclusively on social media. A social media manager oversees content such as posts, Reels, and stories on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The company will usually provide stock photos and B-roll available for the social media manager to use.

A social media manager will typically:
- Schedule content and post on behalf of the brand
- Respond to comments and messages on social media platforms
- Keep a close eye on content engagement
- Review social media analytics to manage growth

A social media manager takes the lead on all things social media for the brand.

What does brand management include?

What does a brand manager do? A brand manager’s goal is to cultivate positive relationships with a company’s clients and the general public. They look for collaborations and opportunities to put the brand in a positive light. Typically, a brand manager will:
- Stay tuned in to the public’s view of the brand
- Manage brand deals, partnerships, and collaborations with influencers
- Handle requests for speaking engagements
- Schedule brand shoots for the client
- Explore opportunities for brand expansion
- Manage a content calendar for brand deals
- Ensure consistent design and messaging across brand materials

All of these responsibilities mean that a brand manager is more involved in the business and puts in more hours than a social media manager.

Now that we’ve reviewed the key differences between these two roles, let's compare the features of our social media manager and brand manager contract templates.

TLP’s Social Media Manager Contract Template 

Our legal team has put together all of the must-have contract terms for social media managers operating as independent contractors. Below is a breakdown of some of the most important elements of the Social Media Manager Contract. 

- Independent Contractor Clauses: The Social Media Management Contract includes clauses related to you operating as an independent contractor, which means that you don’t have set hours and can work for other businesses at the same time. These clauses include Scope of Work, Fees, and Work Relationship.

- Content Calendar & Approval By Client Clause: This is one of the most important clauses in the Social Media Management Contract. As the social media manager, part of your job includes planning content in advance with a calendar system. This clause sets clear expectations between you and the business you’re working with regarding when and how the content is posted.  This clause also affirms that the social media manager is seeking approval for all content that is going to be posted so there is no misunderstanding between the company and the social media manager. 

- Brand Keyword & Hashtag Monitoring Clause: This clause explains that you will review keywords and Google Analytics for the business. This is a big part of your role as a social media manager. You will make sure to maintain a list of trending Instagram and X hashtags, and Instagram Reel/TikTok trending hashtag.

- Analytics & Reporting Clause: This clause is similar, as it ensures that you will provide social media analytics reports to the business related to the content they are posting on various social media platforms. 

Related content: The DANGERS of Brand Hashtags (and How to Avoid a #Lawsuit)

- Instagram Content Management Clause: In this clause, you agree to monitor Instagram (and/or other platforms you choose to add) to make sure brand content is curated and on-trend. It also informs the business that you’ll check and respond to direct messages.

- Competitive Engagements Clause: As an independent contractor, businesses can’t restrict your work opportunities with a non-compete agreement. However, this clause gives the business some assurances that while you are working for them, you won’t be directly competing against them with work for another business who provides or sells similar services or products. 

- FTC Compliance Clause: Our legal team has included a clause regarding regulations by the Federal Trade Commission as they relate to social media. Basically, it ensures that all brand deals and advertisement/sponsored posts you make are clearly disclosed to consumers.

Remember: This is YOUR contract, so you can add or remove clauses, or customize the language, to make it the perfect fit for your social media services!

TLP’s Brand & Media Management Contract Template

If your work goes beyond social media management, this brand management contract template might be for you! Below is a breakdown of some of the most important elements we’ve included in the contract template.

Keep in mind that our contract templates are 100% customizable—so you can add, delete, and edit as needed!

- Independent Contractor Clauses: Just like the Social Media Management Contract, this contract includes clauses related to you operating as an independent contractor. These clauses include Scope of Work, Compensation, and Work Relationship. 

- Photography & Videography Shoots Clause: In this section, you promise to negotiate brand shoots and work with the photographers and videographers involved. You agree to attend photography/videography sessions for the client as needed and take behind-the-scenes footage for social media.

- Email Inbox Management Clause: Here, you set expectations for when you will check and respond to messages in your client’s media email inbox. This is where they receive requests for collaborations or brand deals. You agree to filter emails and notify your client of any issues with the media email inbox. 

- Brand Deals Management Clause: This is one of the most important clauses in your brand management contract. You agree to manage brand deals on behalf of your client. This involves signing brand contracts, managing invoices, and scheduling brand-related content. You agree to inform your client when branded content is due and when to post ads. You’ll also keep their monthly media kit updated based on social media and brand deal analytics.

- Marketing Outreach Clause: The Marketing Outreach Clause allows you to work in person with clients on any marketing needs on behalf of the business. This clause, together with the Brand Deals Management clause, targets some of the main reasons a business contracts with you.

- Calendar Management Clause: This clause allows you to schedule the business’s calendar with such things as branding events, content creation, or general business meetings. 

- Social MediaInstagram Content Management Clause: In this clause, you agree to monitor social media platforms to make sure that all content used for the brand the content is curated and on-trend. and sheds a good light on the business. It also reassures the business that you will monitor and respond to DMs (direct messages).

- FTC Compliance: This clause addresses regulations by the Federal Trade Commission as they relate to social media. Basically, it ensures that all brand deals and advertisement/sponsored posts made by you or by affiliates are clearly disclosed to clients. 

Related content: Disclosures for Social Media: What You Need to Know!

In addition to the more specific provisions discussed above, both the Social Media Management and Brand & Media Management Contract Templates include all the standard clauses you’d expect to see in these types of contracts, such as: 

- Confidentiality: Assures that you’ll keep sensitive client information private.

- Copyright: States that the work or content you create is considered works made for hire for the business you are working for, so the business owns those materials.

- Travel Fees and Expenses: Details any fees your client will pay for your travel and other expenses.

- Representations and Warranties: Promises that both parties are being truthful and that they are capable of entering into the agreement.

- Non-Disparagement: Guards against negative public statements by either party about the other party’s business.

- Term & Termination: Explains the term of the contract, as well as how and when parties may end the contract early.

- Indemnification: Asserts that you and your client will protect the other from third-party legal liabilities and claims.

- Force Majeure: Covers unforeseeable, unpredictable events that make it impossible to complete work under the contract, like natural disasters and war.

- And more!

Remember, your contract template is your own, so you should carefully review the provisions included in our contract templates and add, remove, or modify clauses as needed.

The Legal Paige Take

As a social media manager or a brand manager, it is important to send a contract to the business or brand you are contracting to work with. It should clearly outline your duties and responsibilities, as well as those of your client. If you’re a brand or social media manager looking for a strong client contract, you’re in the right place! Our legal templates are thorough and easy to edit and use in your business. Get started with our Social Media Management Contract Template or Brand & Media Management Contract Template today! 

If you have further questions about which contract would work best for you, please contact us here or leave us a question on our free Facebook group: The Legal Paige® Community.

THIS BLOG POST IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVICE. EVERY SITUATION IS DIFFERENT & IS FACT-SPECIFIC. A proper legal analysis is necessary based on your location and contract. Consult an attorney in your home state for advice regarding your contract or specific legal situation. 

SEE OUR FULL DISCLAIMER HERE.