Retainer terms checklist

A checklist of what to agree, not a contract. Have a lawyer review your agreement.

Scope

• Deliverables per month, in numbers (posts, ads, reports, hours)
• What's out of scope, and how extra work is quoted
• Channels and platforms covered

Process

• Revision rounds included per deliverable
• Approval turnaround expected from the client
• What happens when approvals are late (deliverables move, fee doesn't)

Money

• Monthly fee and what it includes
• Ad spend: paid by the client directly or passed through (and any fee on it)
• Invoice date, payment terms ([7 / 14] days), late payment policy
• Price review date (e.g. every 12 months)

Term and exit

• Minimum term (e.g. 3 months), then month to month
• Notice period for either side ([30] days)
• Handover on exit: files, logins, documentation

Ownership and access

• Who owns the content, designs and ad accounts
• Client keeps ownership of their social and ad accounts
• Use of the work in your portfolio, with permission

Data and confidentiality

• How client data and customer lists are handled
• Confidentiality both ways