So you found a social media manager you like. The proposal looks great, the samples are cute, and then the contract shows up: eleven pages, a six-month term and a paragraph about "intellectual property" that makes your eyes glaze over.
Hey, that's okay. Most owners skim contracts, and most of the time it's fine. But a few minutes of reading now can save you a real headache later. Here's what to look for, in plain English. (Quick note: I'm not a lawyer, and this isn't legal advice. For anything big, have your attorney take a look.)
Month-to-month vs. longer terms
There's no single right answer. Each has its place.
Month-to-month gives you flexibility. If it's not working, you can stop. The trade-off: some agencies charge a bit more, and a team that might leave any month may not plan as far ahead.
Three- to six-month terms give everyone time to do real work. Social media takes a few months to build momentum, so a short commitment can make sense. The trade-off: you're locked in if it's a bad fit.
Twelve months or more is a big commitment for a new relationship. Make sure there's a clear way out if things go sideways.
A good middle ground many owners like: a short starting term, then month-to-month after that.
Who owns the content?
This is the big one. Look for clear answers to:
Photos and videos. If they shoot at your business, can you keep using those files after you part ways?
Captions, graphics and templates. Are they yours, or licensed only while you're a client?
Brand assets. If they design a logo or brand kit, do you own it outright?
Stock images and music. These are often licensed, not owned. Ask what happens to them if you leave.
Ideally, anything made specifically for your business becomes yours once it's paid for.
Who holds the logins?
Your social accounts, your Google Business Profile and your website should belong to you, not to the agency. A good partner will work through access you grant them, like being added as a manager or admin, rather than owning the account themselves.
Make sure your email is the owner on every account.
Keep a list of who has access.
Know how access gets removed when the contract ends.
What's actually included?
Vague contracts cause the most arguments. Look for specifics:
Which platforms and how many posts per week or month.
Content creation: are shoots included, how often, and where?
Community management: do they answer comments and DMs, and how quickly?
Approvals: do you see posts before they go live?
Reporting: how often and what's in it?
Ads: is ad spend included or separate? Is managing ads part of the fee?
Revisions: how many rounds of changes are included?
Cancellation and notice
How much notice do you need to give?
Is there a fee to end early?
What happens to scheduled posts and files when you leave?
Will they hand over everything in a usable format?
Red flags to watch for
No way out of a long contract, even if they don't deliver.
The agency owns your accounts or your content.
Results are "guaranteed" (nobody can guarantee followers or sales).
Fees that aren't clearly listed, like surprise setup or "platform" charges.
No mention of who answers your DMs and comments.
Before you sign
The SBA's guide to managing your business is a good reminder to treat marketing like any other investment: know what you're paying for and track what it brings back. A clear contract makes that much easier.
Still deciding whether to hire help at all? Our free hire vs. outsource tool walks you through it.
Want to see how we do it?
We keep things simple and clear, so you always know what's included and what you own. Read about our services, or send us a note through the inquiry form with any questions.
