A contract is not a formality. It is the entire business relationship in writing. Before you sign anything, read every word, including the sections in small print and the ones that seem boring. Those are usually the ones that matter most.
Know the key terms. Commission rate: what percentage the agency takes. Term length: how long you are bound. Exclusivity: whether you can work with others. Termination clause: how either side can end it. Advance and expense policies: who pays for what. If any of these are unclear, ask until they are.
Get Independent Advice
Have someone who does not work for the agency review the contract. An entertainment lawyer for an hour costs less than a bad three-year deal. Never let the agency's own people be your only advisors on their own contract. That is not guidance; that is sales.
Watch for red flags: automatic renewals, vague expense accounting, restrictions on your social media with no compensation, and penalties for leaving. A fair contract protects both sides. If it only protects them, it is not a partnership worth signing.
Pay special attention to image approval clauses. Some contracts let the agency or client approve which photos represent you publicly. Understand who controls your image and for how long. Also check social media obligations: required posts, tagging, and content approvals should come with clear compensation, not buried as favors. Your likeness and your platforms have commercial value. Every clause that touches them should reflect that.
Never sign a contract the same day you receive it. Take it home, sleep on it, and read it again fresh. Pressure to sign immediately is itself a red flag worth heeding.
About the Author – Ruben Burgos: Ruben Burgos brings over 25 years of music expertise and more than 15 years of model guidance to the table. He is the indie major pinnacle to retaining credits for musicians and helping them navigate this wicked industry without the fuckery.