Creator Management Agreement: 11 Critical Things to Check Before Signing

A management agreement can help a content creator build a more organized, profitable, and sustainable career. However, signing with a manager also means agreeing to financial obligations, professional expectations, and contractual restrictions that may affect your business for years.

Before signing a creator management agreement, review the commission structure, services provided, contract duration, exclusivity requirements, intellectual property provisions, termination rights, and post-termination payment obligations. You should also understand exactly what authority the manager receives over your business relationships, sponsorships, income, and creative work.

A manager may help negotiate brand partnerships, coordinate business opportunities, develop your professional strategy, and connect you with industry contacts. But the agreement should clearly explain what the manager is responsible for and what rights you are allowing that person to exercise.

For creators in North Carolina, contract language and applicable state and federal law can affect how particular provisions are interpreted. Washington, D.C. considerations may also arise when a manager, creator, or business relationship has meaningful connections to that jurisdiction.

Before signing, make sure the agreement protects both your professional interests and the creative assets you have worked to build.

1. Understand Exactly What the Manager Will Do for You

One of the first things to examine is the scope of services.

A management agreement should describe the responsibilities the manager is expected to perform. The word manager can mean different things depending on the creator’s industry, career stage, and business model.

For example, a music artist may need help coordinating recording opportunities, performances, publishing arrangements, and industry relationships.

A digital content creator may need someone to negotiate sponsorships, coordinate brand partnerships, review business opportunities, and develop a long-term monetization strategy.

These responsibilities are not necessarily interchangeable.

Common management services

A creator manager may agree to provide services such as:

• Developing career and business strategies.
• Identifying potential sponsorship opportunities.
• Communicating with brands and business partners.
• Assisting with contract negotiations.
• Coordinating promotional campaigns.
• Managing professional schedules and appearances.
• Connecting creators with production teams and industry professionals.
• Advising on revenue opportunities.
• Helping organize business relationships.
• Coordinating with attorneys, accountants, agents, and other professionals.

The agreement should explain which services are included and which require separate arrangements.

For instance, a manager may agree to coordinate sponsorship opportunities but not provide professional accounting, legal representation, advertising production, or public relations services.

If those services are important to your career, clarify who will provide them and whether additional fees apply.

Watch out for vague management responsibilities

Consider the difference between these two descriptions:

Vague provision:

“The manager shall provide general management services and assist with the development of the creator’s career.”

More specific provision:

“The manager shall assist with identifying sponsorship opportunities, coordinating communications with prospective brand partners, advising on career development, and coordinating approved business opportunities.”

The second description provides a clearer understanding of the manager’s expected responsibilities.

It does not guarantee a particular number of sponsorships or a specific income level, but it helps establish what the parties have agreed the manager will do.

Questions to ask:

• What services will you personally provide?
• Will you actively seek brand partnerships?
• Will you handle communications with sponsors?
• Are you responsible for negotiating agreements?
• How frequently will we communicate?
• Will I receive regular updates about opportunities?
• Are additional services charged separately?

A manager should not receive an extensive commission merely because the contract uses broad language without explaining the actual services being provided.

2. Examine the Commission Structure Carefully

The commission is often one of the most financially important provisions in a management agreement.

It determines how much of your income goes to the manager and how the payment is calculated.

Some management agreements use a percentage of commissionable income. Others establish different arrangements depending on the type of revenue or service involved.

There is no universal commission percentage that automatically applies to every content creator or artist.

The appropriate structure depends on the services, industry, negotiations, revenue sources, and overall arrangement.

What income will be commissionable?

Creators can earn money through several different channels, including:

• YouTube advertising revenue.
• TikTok and other platform monetization.
• Instagram sponsorships.
• Brand partnerships.
• Affiliate marketing.
• Merchandise sales.
• Subscription services.
• Paid appearances.
• Music royalties.
• Licensing arrangements.
• Online courses and digital products.
• Independent businesses.
• Speaking engagements.
• Production and consulting work.

The agreement should explain which sources are included in the commission calculation.

A manager who primarily negotiates sponsorships may not necessarily be responsible for generating revenue from an independently operated online store.

If the agreement requires commissions on every income source, including opportunities the manager did not identify, negotiate, or manage, you could end up paying for revenue unrelated to the manager’s work.

Negotiate exclusions

Consider whether the agreement should exclude:

• Reimbursements for approved business expenses.
• Taxes collected on behalf of government authorities.
• Refunds and chargebacks.
• Payments belonging to collaborators.
• Revenue from pre-existing contracts.
• Income from unrelated businesses.
• Certain passive royalties.
• Revenue from opportunities developed independently.

These exclusions should be clearly defined.

A manager may reasonably request compensation for opportunities they actively develop or negotiate. However, the agreement should not automatically treat every dollar entering your business as commissionable income.

3. Review the Contract Duration and Renewal Provisions

The length of the management agreement determines how long you are committed to the relationship.

A contract that initially appears reasonable can become restrictive if it includes a lengthy term or automatic renewal provisions.

For example, an agreement might establish an initial two-year term and automatically renew for additional one-year periods unless either party provides written notice within a specified window.

If you overlook that provision, you may remain contractually committed longer than expected.

Initial term

The initial term is the period during which the agreement remains in effect.

Before accepting the proposed duration, consider:

• How long have you known the manager?
• Have you worked together previously?
• Has the manager demonstrated the ability to develop your career?
• Are the manager’s responsibilities clearly established?
• Does the agreement provide an opportunity to evaluate the relationship?

A shorter initial term may give both parties an opportunity to determine whether the professional relationship is working.

Some agreements may also use performance milestones or renewal negotiations.

Automatic renewal

Review whether the agreement automatically renews.

If it does, identify:

1. When the renewal occurs.
2. How long each renewal period lasts.
3. How much advance notice is required to prevent renewal.
4. How notice must be delivered.
5. Whether the notice must satisfy specific written requirements.

Do not rely on an informal conversation if the agreement requires written notice.

Renewal based on performance

You may also consider negotiating a renewal provision that takes performance into account.

For example, renewal discussions could consider whether the manager has fulfilled agreed responsibilities, maintained communication, and supported the creator’s professional objectives.

This helps prevent the relationship from continuing solely because neither party remembered to send a termination notice.

4. Understand Exclusivity Before Agreeing to It

Exclusivity determines whether you can work with other representatives or independently pursue business opportunities.

Some management agreements require creators to use one manager exclusively for all professional activities.

Others restrict exclusivity to specific industries, services, or revenue categories.

The distinction matters.

Imagine that you are a YouTube creator who also operates a clothing brand, sells digital products, and performs as a musician.

A broadly written exclusivity provision could potentially create disagreements about whether the manager receives commissions on all these activities.

Questions to examine

Check whether the agreement restricts your ability to:

• Hire another manager.
• Work with a talent agent.
• Hire a public relations representative.
• Negotiate certain sponsorships independently.
• Operate a separate business.
• Collaborate with other creators.
• Enter into licensing arrangements.
• Pursue opportunities outside your primary creative field.

A management agreement should identify the professional activities covered by the exclusivity requirement.

Consider existing relationships

If you already have relationships with brands, agents, producers, or other industry professionals, identify them before signing.

An agreement should address whether existing opportunities are excluded from management commissions or otherwise treated differently.

You should also consider how future opportunities developed without the manager’s involvement will be handled.

Practical example:

Suppose a creator has independently negotiated a long-term sponsorship before hiring a manager.

The creator then signs an agreement granting the manager a commission on all brand partnership revenue.

Unless the existing sponsorship is specifically addressed, the parties may later disagree about whether the manager is entitled to receive a percentage of those payments.

Documenting existing agreements and exclusions can help prevent this problem.

5. Protect Ownership of Your Content and Intellectual Property

For many creators, intellectual property is among their most valuable business assets.

Your videos, photographs, music, written content, designs, logos, brand names, and other original materials may generate income long after their initial publication.

A management agreement should clearly explain what happens to those assets.

Hiring a manager does not automatically mean that the manager should own your creative work.

However, certain contractual provisions may grant extensive usage rights, licensing authority, or ownership interests if they are written too broadly.

Understand the difference between ownership and permission to use content

These concepts should not be confused.

Ownership concerns who holds the applicable intellectual property rights.

Licensing generally allows another party to use specified rights under agreed conditions.

For example, a creator might authorize a manager to use selected photographs and promotional videos when presenting the creator to potential sponsors.

That permission does not necessarily require transferring ownership of those materials.

The agreement should explain:

• Which content may be used.
• What purposes are permitted.
• Where the content may appear.
• Whether commercial use is allowed.
• Whether the manager can authorize third parties to use it.
• How long the permission lasts.
• Whether the permission continues after termination.
• Whether additional compensation is required.

Understand copyright ownership under federal law

Copyright ownership is governed primarily by federal law.

Under 17 U.S.C. § 201, copyright generally initially vests in the author or authors of an original work, subject to applicable rules concerning joint works and works made for hire.

Under 17 U.S.C. § 204, a transfer of copyright ownership generally requires a written instrument of conveyance, or a written note or memorandum of the transfer, signed by the copyright owner or an authorized agent.

This distinction matters when reviewing management agreements containing copyright assignments or broad ownership provisions.

Do not assume that a manager’s involvement in creating, organizing, or promoting content automatically makes that manager the owner.

The actual ownership analysis depends on the work, the parties’ contributions, and the applicable agreements.

You can review the relevant provisions in the official U.S. Copyright Act, Section 201 and Section 204.

Watch for broad intellectual property language

Pay particular attention to terms such as:

• Assignment of rights.
• Exclusive licensing.
• Perpetual usage rights.
• Irrevocable authorization.
• Derivative works.
• Commercial exploitation.
• Ownership of future works.
• Rights to name, image, and likeness.

Some permissions may be appropriate for specific management activities.

However, granting a manager unrestricted ownership or perpetual commercial rights may create unnecessary complications.

For instance, a creator may authorize a manager to display a portfolio of completed projects while working together. That is different from allowing the manager to commercially license those projects indefinitely after the relationship ends.

Protect your brand identity

Your brand may include more than your social media username.

It can include:

• Business names.
• Logos.
• Registered trademarks.
• Merchandise designs.
• Website domains.
• Original graphics.
• Brand slogans.
• Creative identities.

If a manager has access to these assets, the agreement should clarify who owns them and who controls their use.

For additional guidance, creators can explore Covington Law’s trademark and copyright protection services.

6. Establish Clear Rules for Income, Payments, and Accounting

A management agreement should explain how money moves between the creator, manager, brands, and other business partners.

Unclear payment arrangements can create disputes even when both parties initially agree on the commission percentage.

Determine who receives payments

For example, a brand may:

• Pay the creator directly.
• Pay the creator’s business entity.
• Pay an authorized management company.
• Pay another designated representative.

The contract should establish the approved payment arrangement.

Whenever possible, creators should maintain control over their own business accounts and financial records.

If a manager receives money on the creator’s behalf, the agreement should explain the manager’s authority, accounting obligations, and payment procedures.

Establish accounting requirements

Consider requesting provisions addressing:

• Frequency of financial statements.
• Documentation supporting commission calculations.
• Payment deadlines.
• Records of received sponsorship payments.
• Approved business expenses.
• Reimbursement procedures.
• Access to relevant financial records.
• Procedures for resolving accounting disagreements.

For example, a creator may request a monthly accounting statement showing the revenue received, commission deducted, and remaining amount payable.

The exact arrangement should reflect the creator’s business model and the manager’s responsibilities.

Clarify expense authorization

Managers sometimes incur expenses while coordinating professional activities.

These may include travel, marketing, production, event attendance, and promotional materials.

The agreement should explain:

• Which expenses require advance approval.
• Whether spending limits apply.
• What documentation is required.
• Whether expenses are reimbursable.
• Whether the manager can deduct expenses from incoming revenue.

Without clear rules, a creator may face unexpected charges.

Avoid signing an agreement that allows unlimited expenses without an approval process or adequate documentation.

7. Examine the Manager’s Authority to Act on Your Behalf

A manager may need permission to communicate with brands, negotiate business terms, coordinate opportunities, or handle administrative tasks.

However, the agreement should distinguish between coordinating an opportunity and having legal authority to bind the creator.

These are not necessarily the same thing.

What can the manager approve?

Review whether the manager can:

• Negotiate sponsorship terms.
• Accept brand offers.
• Sign agreements.
• Approve content usage.
• Commit the creator to appearances.
• Authorize expenditures.
• Receive payments.
• Communicate binding decisions to third parties.

A creator may want the manager to negotiate preliminary terms while retaining final approval over every binding agreement.

For example, a manager could negotiate a proposed $8,000 sponsorship agreement.

The creator may still want the right to review the deliverables, exclusivity provisions, content usage rights, and payment schedule before accepting the deal.

Be careful with powers of attorney

A management agreement should not automatically be treated as permission to give someone unlimited legal authority.

If a separate power of attorney is requested, review it independently.

Understand:

• What authority it grants.
• Which transactions it covers.
• Whether it is limited to specific activities.
• When it becomes effective.
• How it can be revoked.
• What happens when the management relationship ends.

If you are uncomfortable with the authority being requested, do not sign until the language has been reviewed.

8. Review Termination Rights and Exit Procedures

A management relationship may work well initially and later become unsuitable.

The manager may stop providing services, communication may deteriorate, business priorities may change, or the creator may decide to pursue a different professional direction.

The agreement should explain how the relationship can end.

Termination for convenience

Some contracts allow either party to terminate the relationship by providing advance written notice.

Others permit termination only after the initial term expires.

Consider negotiating a reasonable exit mechanism that does not leave you unnecessarily tied to a relationship that no longer serves your professional needs.

Termination for breach

The agreement should also address what happens when one party fails to perform its contractual obligations.

Potential examples include:

• Failure to provide agreed management services.
• Failure to remit money received on behalf of the creator.
• Unauthorized use of intellectual property.
• Material violations of confidentiality obligations.
• Unauthorized commitments.
• Other material contractual breaches.

The agreement may establish a notice-and-cure process, allowing the party accused of breaching the contract an opportunity to correct the problem.

The specific process and consequences should be clearly written.

What happens after termination?

Ending the agreement does not necessarily resolve every financial obligation.

The contract should address:

• Outstanding commissions.
• Unpaid expenses.
• Pending sponsorship agreements.
• Existing licensing arrangements.
• Return of creator property.
• Transfer of account access.
• Confidential information.
• Continuing content licenses.
• Access to financial records.
• Outstanding payments.

For example, a manager may have negotiated a sponsorship before termination, but the brand may not pay until several months later.

The agreement should explain whether the manager remains entitled to a commission on that particular transaction.

A clearly defined exit procedure can prevent confusion during the transition to a new manager.

9. Understand Post-Termination Commissions and Sunset Clauses

One of the most overlooked provisions in a creator management agreement is the post-termination commission.

Sometimes called a sunset clause, this provision addresses whether the manager continues receiving commissions after the management relationship ends.

This can have a substantial financial impact.

Why does a sunset clause matter?

Imagine that a manager negotiates a three-year brand partnership.

After the first year, the creator and manager terminate their management relationship.

The agreement may still provide the manager with commissions on payments arising from the original sponsorship.

That arrangement may be commercially understandable if the manager genuinely developed and negotiated the opportunity.

However, the agreement should explain precisely which payments qualify.

10. Identify Conflicts of Interest and Competing Clients

A manager may represent several creators, artists, or businesses.

That arrangement is not necessarily problematic. However, it can create situations where different clients have competing commercial interests.

For example, a manager may represent two influencers who are both approached by the same brand for a limited advertising campaign.

The manager may need to decide how to allocate the opportunity.

Another situation may involve a manager receiving referral fees or other compensation from businesses that provide services to the creator.

These arrangements should be transparent.

What should the agreement address?

Consider asking for provisions covering:

• Disclosure of material conflicts.
• Representation of competing creators.
• Referral commissions.
• Payments received from brands.
• Relationships with production companies.
• Financial interests in third-party businesses.
• Handling competing opportunities.
• Confidentiality between clients.

You should also ask whether the manager has any existing commercial relationship with a brand or agency that may influence recommendations.

A creator should understand whether the manager is receiving compensation from both sides of a transaction.

Protect confidential information

Your management relationship may involve sensitive business information, including:

• Revenue figures.
• Sponsorship negotiations.
• Audience analytics.
• Upcoming projects.
• Marketing plans.
• Business contacts.
• Unreleased content.
• Personal and professional information.

The agreement should explain how this information will be protected and whether confidentiality obligations continue after termination.

A manager should not be free to disclose sensitive business information simply because the professional relationship has ended.

11. Check Governing Law, Dispute Resolution, and Other Contractual Restrictions

The final provisions of a management agreement may seem less important than the commission or duration.

However, these clauses can significantly affect how disagreements are handled.

Governing law

The governing-law provision identifies the jurisdiction whose law the parties intend to apply to contractual interpretation and disputes, subject to applicable legal limitations.

For creators based in North Carolina, this deserves particular attention when the manager operates in another state or Washington, D.C.

North Carolina General Statutes § 25-1-301 addresses the parties’ ability to select applicable law in certain transactions bearing a reasonable relationship to North Carolina and another jurisdiction.

Its application depends on the transaction and statutory requirements. It should not be treated as a universal rule governing every management agreement.

Dispute resolution

Determine whether the agreement requires disputes to be resolved through:

• Direct negotiations.
• Mediation.
• Arbitration.
• Court proceedings.

If arbitration is required, understand whether it involves a particular arbitration provider, location, fee structure, and procedural rules.

Also examine whether the agreement limits the parties’ ability to seek certain forms of relief.

Attorney fees and legal costs

Some agreements include provisions allowing the prevailing party to recover attorneys’ fees or other costs in certain disputes.

Others allocate dispute-related expenses differently.

These provisions can affect the financial risks of enforcing your contractual rights.

Non-compete and non-solicitation restrictions

Some management agreements may contain restrictions affecting the creator’s future professional relationships.

For example, a contract might attempt to restrict the creator from working with certain competing representatives or soliciting specified clients or personnel.

Do not assume that every restriction is automatically enforceable simply because it appears in a signed contract.

Its interpretation and enforceability may depend on the wording, applicable jurisdiction, the parties’ circumstances, and relevant law.

Have any broad post-termination restrictions reviewed before agreeing to them.

Special Considerations for Influencers and Digital Content Creators

Traditional artist-management agreements were often developed around careers involving music, touring, recording, and entertainment representation.

Digital creators may operate very different businesses.

A creator with multiple platforms and revenue streams needs an agreement that reflects how that business actually works.

Brand partnerships and sponsorship rights

A manager may negotiate deals involving:

• Sponsored videos.
• Product placements.
• Social media campaigns.
• Brand ambassadorships.
• Affiliate arrangements.
• Paid collaborations.
• Event appearances.

The agreement should explain who approves the commercial terms and who owns the resulting content.

It should also clarify whether the manager receives commissions on brand deals that the creator independently secures.

Content usage and advertising rights

Brands may request permission to reuse creator content in advertisements.

This may involve paid media, reposting, whitelisting, or other promotional arrangements.

The management agreement should not unintentionally give the manager unrestricted authority to grant these rights.

Consider addressing:

• Duration of usage.
• Platforms covered.
• Geographic restrictions.
• Paid advertising rights.
• Editing permissions.
• Exclusivity.
• Compensation for additional usage.
• Approval of derivative content.

A sponsorship agreement may require separate review even if the management agreement already addresses brand partnerships.

Platform accounts and access

Creators should maintain appropriate control over their social media accounts, websites, email accounts, and other digital business assets.

If a manager needs account access, establish clear security and administrative procedures.

Consider specifying:

• Whether the manager receives administrative access or login credentials.
• Which accounts are covered.
• What actions the manager can perform.
• Whether account passwords may be changed.
• How access is revoked after termination.
• Who owns associated analytics and business records.

Account access should not be confused with ownership.

FTC advertising disclosure responsibilities

Influencers who receive money, free products, discounts, or other benefits in exchange for endorsements may have disclosure responsibilities.

The Federal Trade Commission explains that material connections between influencers and brands should be disclosed clearly and conspicuously when required.

Importantly, a creator should not assume that a manager or sponsoring brand automatically takes responsibility for the creator’s compliance.

The FTC’s Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers provides practical guidance on these requirements.

Your management agreement can allocate responsibilities for reviewing campaign instructions and coordinating disclosures.

However, contractual allocation does not necessarily eliminate obligations imposed by applicable law.

North Carolina and Washington, D.C.: Why Jurisdiction Matters

Creators sometimes work with managers who operate outside their home state.

A creator may live in Raleigh, work with a manager in Washington, D.C., negotiate sponsorships with companies in California, and publish content for audiences throughout the United States.

That does not mean one state’s law automatically controls every part of the relationship.

North Carolina considerations

NC creators should pay attention to:

• Contract formation and interpretation.
• Governing-law provisions.
• Applicable contract remedies.
• Intellectual property rights under federal law.
• Provisions involving talent representation.
• Contracts involving minors.

North Carolina General Statutes § 48A-17 defines a talent agency and artists within Article 2 of Chapter 48A.

Section 48A-18 addresses a particular situation involving certain contracts with minors and superior court approval.

These provisions deserve careful treatment. They should not be interpreted as a general declaration that all adult creator managers must obtain a North Carolina talent agency license.

The actual nature of the services performed may matter when evaluating a manager’s role and applicable regulatory requirements.

Washington, D.C. considerations

Creators and managers connected to Washington, D.C. should not assume that North Carolina contract rules automatically govern their relationship.

The agreement may identify D.C. law, North Carolina law, or another jurisdiction’s law as applicable.

The location of the parties, the activities covered by the agreement, and other relevant circumstances may affect the analysis.

A D.C.-connected management arrangement may also require separate review of applicable local rules.

Federal law may apply regardless of location

Some legal issues are governed by federal law.

For example:

• Copyright ownership and transfers.
• Federal trademark protection.
• Certain advertising and endorsement requirements.

A creator in North Carolina does not lose federal copyright protections simply because the manager operates in another state.

The appropriate legal review should account for the actual transaction rather than relying exclusively on the location of the creator or manager.

What Creators Should Do Before Signing a Management Agreement

Once you receive a proposed agreement, avoid treating the signing process as a formality.

A careful review can help you identify unclear provisions before they become contractual obligations.

Step 1: Read the complete agreement

Do not review only the commission and contract duration.

Read every section, including attachments, schedules, incorporated policies, and amendments.

Pay particular attention to provisions that refer to other documents.

If the agreement incorporates separate policies or terms, obtain and review those documents before signing.

Step 2: Identify your existing income sources

Prepare a list of your current revenue streams.

For example:

Revenue source	Existing arrangement
YouTube monetization	Independent platform income
Brand sponsorships	Existing brand contracts
Affiliate marketing	Independent affiliate agreements
Merchandise	Creator-owned business
Music royalties	Existing publishing arrangements
Paid appearances	Separately negotiated bookings

This makes it easier to identify which income sources should be included or excluded from management commissions.

Step 3: Document existing professional relationships

List existing arrangements with:

• Brands.
• Agents.
• Public relations representatives.
• Producers.
• Business partners.
• Licensing companies.
• Other managers.

Ask the proposed manager to clarify how these relationships will be treated.

Step 4: Request clarification in writing

If a provision is unclear, ask for clarification before signing.

Do not rely solely on verbal assurances that a particular clause will never be enforced.

If the parties agree to change the contract, make sure the final written agreement accurately reflects the change.

Step 5: Compare the promised services with the compensation

Look at the services the manager is actually offering.

Ask whether the proposed commission is appropriate for the responsibilities, business opportunities, and management support involved.

Consider whether the manager is receiving compensation for income that would have existed regardless of the management relationship.

Step 6: Review the exit provisions

Consider what happens if the relationship does not work.

Identify the notice requirements, termination conditions, outstanding payment obligations, and post-termination commission rights.

A contract should provide a reasonably clear path for ending the relationship.

Step 7: Obtain independent legal review

An attorney who understands entertainment contracts can help evaluate the agreement from the creator’s perspective.

Legal review may identify:

• Unclear commission provisions.
• Excessive exclusivity requirements.
• Unintended intellectual property transfers.
• Broad management authority.
• Unfavorable termination provisions.
• Indefinite commission obligations.
• Dispute-resolution concerns.
• Potential jurisdictional issues.

For creators in North Carolina and Washington, D.C., having the relevant jurisdiction considered before signing can be particularly important when the agreement involves parties or business activities in multiple locations.

Common Mistakes Creators Should Avoid

Even experienced creators can overlook important contractual details when a promising management opportunity arises.

Some mistakes are particularly worth avoiding.

Signing because the manager is well known

A manager’s reputation does not automatically make an agreement fair.

The contract should reflect the actual relationship, compensation, responsibilities, and rights involved.

Accepting vague commission language

If the agreement does not clearly define commissionable revenue, you may face disagreements about whether the manager receives a percentage of unrelated income.

Giving away intellectual property unnecessarily

A management relationship generally does not require unrestricted ownership of all the content you create.

Distinguish between permissions needed to promote your career and transfers of intellectual property ownership.

Overlooking automatic renewal

A contract may renew before you realize the notice period has passed.

Record important renewal and termination dates.

Ignoring post-termination commissions

A manager’s compensation may continue after the relationship ends if the agreement contains a qualifying sunset provision.

Understand the scope and duration of that obligation.

Allowing unlimited authority

A manager should not automatically receive unrestricted power to sign contracts, control accounts, or accept financial obligations on your behalf.

Define the authority being granted.

Relying on verbal promises

A manager might promise to exclude existing sponsorships, reduce commissions, or allow independent business activities.

If those promises are important, have them incorporated into the written agreement.

Signing under unnecessary time pressure

A proposed management relationship may seem like a major career opportunity.

However, you should have sufficient time to understand the obligations before committing.

A reasonable request for clarification or legal review is part of making an informed business decision.

How Covington Law can help creators review management agreements

Covington Law’s Entertainment Law practice addresses artist management agreements, influencer and content creator deals, entertainment negotiations, and contract disputes.

The firm’s work includes reviewing contractual provisions that affect compensation, management responsibilities, ownership rights, and professional relationships.

An attorney can help you understand what the proposed agreement requires, identify provisions that may create unnecessary risks, and negotiate revisions that better reflect your interests.

The firm’s entertainment law services are relevant to creators, musicians, artists, and other entertainment professionals evaluating management relationships.

Creators who also need assistance protecting their original content or brand assets may benefit from reviewing the firm’s trademark and copyright services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a creator management agreement?

A creator management agreement is a contract between a content creator and a manager that establishes the terms of their professional relationship. It typically addresses the manager’s responsibilities, compensation, contract duration, exclusivity, termination rights, and other obligations. The agreement should clearly explain which services the manager provides and how the creator’s business and intellectual property interests are handled.

Can a manager take a percentage of all my income?

That depends on the agreement. Some management contracts define commissionable income broadly, while others limit commissions to opportunities the manager develops, negotiates, or manages. Review whether independent businesses, existing sponsorships, passive income, and unrelated revenue sources are excluded.

What percentage should a creator manager receive?

The appropriate amount depends on the manager’s responsibilities, the creator’s industry, the income sources involved, and the terms negotiated by the parties. Creators should evaluate the commission base as carefully as the percentage itself.

Can I terminate a management agreement?

Potentially, depending on the contract’s termination provisions and applicable law. Some agreements allow termination with advance notice, while others establish specific grounds for ending the relationship. Review the complete termination section before signing rather than assuming you can leave at any time without financial consequences.

Should a content creator have a lawyer review a management agreement?

Yes, independent legal review can help a creator understand contractual obligations before signing. An attorney can examine compensation, exclusivity, intellectual property, management authority, termination rights, and potential jurisdictional concerns. This is especially useful when the agreement includes complicated commission calculations or extensive rights to the creator’s work.

Protect Your Creative Career Before You Sign

Signing a creator management agreement is an important step in building your career, but it should never mean giving up control of your creative work, income, or future opportunities without fully understanding the consequences. Before committing, carefully review the commission structure, management responsibilities, exclusivity requirements, intellectual property rights, termination provisions, and post-termination obligations.

A well-structured creator management agreement should establish clear expectations, protect your professional interests, and provide a foundation for a productive working relationship. Taking time to review the terms before signing can help prevent misunderstandings and costly contractual disputes later.

Speak With Covington Law About Your Management Agreement

Whether you are an influencer, musician, YouTuber, or independent content creator, having your management agreement reviewed by an experienced entertainment attorney can help you understand your rights and contractual obligations.

Covington Law assists with entertainment agreements, artist management contracts, influencer deals, and contract negotiations. If you have received a management agreement or are preparing to negotiate one, consider seeking legal guidance before making a commitment. Contact Covington Law to discuss your creator management agreement and protect your creative and business interests.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with Covington Law. The legal effect of an artist management agreement depends on its specific language, the facts surrounding the relationship, and applicable federal, state, and local law. Readers should consult a qualified attorney regarding their individual circumstances before signing, modifying, or terminating a management agreement.