Late or disputed payment kills partner trust faster than a low rate. Standardize the flow.
The split structure (default for new brands):
— 50% on countersignature (skin in the game)
— 50% within 15 days of verified go-live
— Performance bonus, if any, paid monthly on reconciled data
The triggers that release each payment:
— Deposit → triggered by signed contract, before any work starts
— Balance → triggered by the live-post screenshot + working link check
— Bonus → triggered by month-end reconciliation, not by the creator asking
Risk rules:
— New/unknown brand → 50% upfront is non-negotiable
— Net-60+ requested → add a 1.5%/month late fee clause or decline
— Performance-only deals → require monthly raw data access in the contract
Definition of done: every deal has a deposit %, a balance trigger tied to verified delivery, and a written late-payment clause. Payment becomes a checklist, not a chase.
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Payment-terms SOP: protect creators and brands from the messy middle
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