Brand ambassadors glitter like jewels in this modern, digital age — and in turn, they help to shine their light on your brand!
With an effective brand ambassador, you can expect plenty of good things to happen for your business.
Whether it’s your first time hiring a brand ambassador or already have plenty on your team, having a solid brand ambassador contract is extremely necessary.
However, making one from scratch can be more trouble than it’s worth – so is there an alternative?
That’s where brand ambassador contract templates come in! Today, we’ll explore these nifty documents and discuss:
- The part that brand ambassadors play, and why an agreement is important
- Steps to writing a brand ambassador contract
- A brand ambassador contract template from Bonsai, free for you to use.
Let’s dive right in!
What is a brand ambassador?
During times of uncertainty, we naturally turn to people we trust for guidance. Think back to the last time you were choosing between two options. When a good friend recommended one over the other — that’s the one you went with, right?
The trust we place on the word-of-mouth recommendations of people we think are trustworthy is a quirk that businesses know all too well. And that’s why they enlist the help of brand ambassadors to spread the good word about their products!
Simply put, a brand ambassador is someone a business officially partners with. These people raise brand awareness, mention the business on different platforms, and market its products and services to a wider audience.
If it’s your first time hiring one, it's important to sign a brand ambassador contract first to get the ball rolling!
Try Bonsai free for 7 days and design your customized contract in minutes!
What is a brand ambassador contract?
As the name implies, this contract governs the working relationship between a business and the brand ambassador. However, there’s a lot more to it!
1. Agreement between brand and representative
At its most basic, a brand ambassador contract is simply formal recognition that someone is fulfilling a role as a business’s representative.
The contract serves as a binding agreement between the two parties.
2. Outlines roles and responsibilities
Every party to a brand ambassador contract has their roles and responsibilities.
Think of it as collaboration for mutual benefit; everyone has something to do — and for the effort exerted, they’re entitled to certain perks!
3. Defines compensation and incentives
The contract defines exactly what those benefits are!
Usually, brand ambassadors enjoy free products, major discounts, and cash rewards for their hard work, but know that some brands are more generous than others.
4. Specifies terms and duration
Like any other contract, one that governs brand ambassadors will also state how long exactly the relationship lasts.
This duration depends significantly on the brand and the terms negotiated, but you can generally expect the contract to last for at least a year.
5. Includes confidentiality clauses
It’s almost inevitable that brand ambassadors will gain access to crucial business information during their employment, and confidentiality clauses ensure that sensitive information remains secret.
6. Governs usage of brand assets
Brand ambassadors will often embody the brand in their everyday lives — whether that’s through the color of the clothes they wear or what they write about in their blogs.
As official representatives, ambassadors have a lot of freedom to use these assets. — with the only limitations being any listed in the contract!
7. May include performance metrics
Being a brand ambassador isn’t all sunshine and rainbows — they also have an important professional role to play!
Sometimes, brands are very particular about the ambassador’s performance, and this can include how much they positively affect a brand’s sales.
8. Provides dispute resolution methods
Although it’s something to be avoided as much as possible, disputes can occasionally arise between businesses and their ambassadors.
That’s why contracts typically also specify how these issues can be resolved, such as through processes like arbitration or litigation.
What purposes does a brand ambassador contract serve?
Did you just hire a brand ambassador? It's important to have a contract defining your relationship — and here’s why:
1. Outlines roles and responsibilities
Brands have differing benefits and obligations, and your new ambassador may have expectations based on other people’s experiences — expectations you may not be able to meet!
A contract allows both parties to know what to expect, as well as the role that they’ll play.
2. Defines compensation and incentives
The same applies to the ambassador’s compensation and benefits; a contract guarantees what they (and you) stand to gain in the relationship.
3. Protects brand’s intellectual property
Your ambassadors are hired to positively impact brand image — not harm it!
A contract dictates how they have to behave, and this often includes express prohibitions such as passing off the brand’s intellectual property as their own.
4. Provides dispute resolution methods
A contract removes uncertainties about what will happen if there’s a breach or if a dispute takes place.
Peacefully resolving the issue quickly means that future collaboration remains possible.
5. Sets performance expectations and evaluation criteria
As a brand, it’s important that you provide metrics on how an ambassador’s performance is rated, and these should be be listed in the contract as well.
It’s also important to figure out how often you’ll evaluate the ambassador — whether that’s every quarter or month (or even every week!).
6. Governs the relationship between brand and ambassador
Since a contract keeps everyone in line, both the business and the ambassador can be expected to act professionally and in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
How do you write a brand ambassador contract?
Before you engage someone to be an ambassador, it’s important to prepare a contract. Below, we’ve outlined the nine steps to creating a solid brand ambassador contract!
If you’d rather skip the hassle, you can also simply take a look at the sample brand ambassador contract templates we have available.
Step 1: Identify the parties involved
This one’s a no-brainer: if you’ve prepared contracts before, you’ll know that one of the first things stated in the document is which parties are entering into an agreement!
Make sure to include the brand ambassador’s full legal name and your business’s legal registered name.
Step 2: Define roles and responsibilities
As we mentioned above, it’s important to specifically define what is expected of the ambassador – whether that’s simply brand promotion or something more.
Of course, it’s not just their responsibilities that matter. You’ll also need to state your own role and obligations too!
Step 3: Determine deliverables and deadlines
Do you expect the ambassador to make a video about the brand once a week? Put it in the contract.
Maybe you need them to create a write-up after each major event? If so, make sure that’s in the contract too! Make sure to be as specific as possible and leave nothing up to interpretation.
Step 4: Outline compensation and benefits
Payment is one of the most important (and common) forms of compensation, and you have to clearly explain when you’ll pay your ambassador, how, and how much.
This not only sets expectations but also clarifies the extent of your obligation as the business!
There are also other forms of compensation and benefits you can provide to your ambassador.
For instance, you may insure for the entire duration of the contract. Even something as simple as free samples after every event can be considered to be benefits!
Step 5: Include confidentiality clauses
It’s worth emphasizing again that you often have to share trade secrets with your ambassadors so they can better represent you.
To avoid catastrophes stemming from ambassadors with loose lips, specify in the contract that they can’t disclose any confidential information — as well as penalties if the clause ever gets breached.
Step 6: Specify terms and duration
One of the most important aspects of a contract is how long it remains effective. When thinking about how long you want the contract to last, it’s worth considering everything that can happen in the future.
It’s important to hit the sweet spot between a sufficiently long partnership that yields profitable returns and something that’s short enough so that it doesn’t feel suffocating!
Step 7: Add intellectual property rights protection
It’s almost guaranteed that something will be created by your ambassador for your brand. So, who owns that creation? That’s something you’ll have to define specifically in the contract as well!
This clause should also include how you can protect your own intellectual property rights.
To what extent are you allowing your brand ambassador to use your brand assets? Can an ambassador modify them for their needs?
Step 8: Provide an exclusivity clause
You can’t have your brand ambassador endorse both you and your biggest competitor!
As such, don’t forget to include an exclusivity clause; while you’re working with the ambassador, they can’t work for anyone else!
Step 9: Detail dispute resolution mechanisms
Whenever a dispute occurs (such as when a party thinks a provision was breached), you’ll want to clearly define how you’re going to resolve it.
Let’s face it: disputes do happen, and they can quickly become hostile and undo all the effort you’ve put into building a lasting professional relationship.
When parties adhere to dispute resolution pathways they’ve previously agreed on, it can present the opportunity to heal the relationship quickly and bounce back even stronger!
Step 10: Incorporate performance metrics and evaluation
From post engagement to attributable sales, it’s important to state how you’re going to evaluate your brand ambassador’s performance and what meets a satisfactory standard.
Providing performance metrics and methods of evaluation demonstrates a respectful attitude toward your ambassador, and it could even motivate them to do their best in the role!
Step 10: Include termination and cancelation conditions
A cancelation clause becomes executable whenever a breach of contract occurs, regardless of whether it’s you or your ambassador.
In the unfortunate event that this happens, you have to specify how the injured party can cancel the contract (i.e. in writing).
When the contract reaches the end of its duration without anyone breaching any provisions, the contract is deemed terminated. Make sure to include in the contract how pending payment and ownership rights will be settled.
Step 11: Obtain signatures from all parties involved
If you’ve prepared a draft of the contract and everyone’s content, it’s time to affix signatures.
A signature is formal proof that the parties involved accept the terms and will abide by them. As a business, it’s important to give the ambassador ample time to review the contract and ask questions!
Or, use Bonsai’s brand ambassador contract template!
When you’re preparing a contract, you might find that keeping track of all the terms and sections you need to add can even be overwhelming!
Luckily for you, Bonsai has a free brand ambassador contract sample available just for this situation.
It’s simple, professional, and covers all your bases so you don’t have to worry about missing anything vital! It’s easy to edit as well, so you can customize it to fit your exact situation and needs.
What’s the benefit of using Bonsai instead of creating a template yourself?
Make your life easier by using Bonsai’s sample contract for brand ambassadors instead of manually going about it yourself. Here’s why it makes sense:
1. Time-saving
Here at Bonsai, we love convenience – and that’s why all of our templates are designed to save you valuable time that you can use for other, more important tasks!
Simply fill in your details and know that everything’s taken care of!
2. Legally sound
Contracts need to hold up under the law, and we’ve made sure ours are as legally sound as possible.
When you use our brand ambassador contract, you can rest easy with the knowledge that it’s a watertight document!
3. Comprehensive coverage
Our brand ambassador contract covers a wide range of potential situations that may occur, so there’ll always be a provision you can refer to in times of doubt. You can also modify the provisions to suit your needs best.
4. Easy customization
Our template works perfectly right out of the box, but that doesn’t mean we’ll stop you if you’d like to change something!
Featuring easy customization, switch things up according to your specific circumstances and relationship with your brand ambassador.
5. Online accessibility
One key aspect we love about our templates is that they’re accessible virtually anywhere online.
Just send a copy to your ambassador and they can view it regardless of the device they’re using!
6. Secure handling of information
We value your trust, and that’s why we’re committed to handling your information securely.
We adhere to the strictest data privacy laws and guarantee the security of your personal data.
7. Streamlined electronic signature process
In this digital age, using pens to physically sign documents is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
And if you’re working with a brand ambassador who lives overseas, it’s far more convenient for everyone involved to utilize digital signatures!
8. Cost-effective
Using our contract templates means you no longer have to consult with an attorney – cutting down costs so you can spend your resources elsewhere.
And since we facilitate electronic signing, there’s no printing required either!
9. Access to wide variety of templates
Bonsai boasts an extensive library of templates for virtually any use case!
After using our brand ambassador contract template, make sure explore and try other templates depending on your needs.
How to create a brand ambassador agreement with Bonsai
So, are you ready to jump into making your brand ambassador agreement with Bonsai? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can create one!
1. Select appropriate template from Bonsai’s library
The first thing you’ll want to do is explore Bonsai’s collection of templates. Here’s our free brand ambassador contract template, but if you’re looking for something else, make sure to check out other contract templates too!
2. Add parties’ information
At the very top, you’ll find fields for both your and your brand ambassador’s information. Fill this in with their full legal names and other identifying details!
3.Define roles and responsibilities
Below the field for your information, you’ll find a section detailing the responsibilities that your brand ambassador agrees to, as well as what exactly their position is in relation to your business (e.g., that they’re an independent contractor).
It’s also a good idea to define what you’re responsible for, such as providing the necessary support and marketing material.
4. Specify compensation and benefits
This is a crucial aspect and is one of the things your brand ambassador will focus on.
Make sure you’re compensating them properly for their work, and to provide other benefits if they’re available!
5. Include any necessary legal clauses
Our brand ambassador contract template provides a number of legal clauses, such as for exclusivity, non-solicitation, and confidentiality.
You may also want to include grounds for cancelation of the contract, as well as what the parties will do once the contract has been terminated.
6. Customize according to brand and ambassador’s needs
There’s no one-size-fits-all template! That’s why we’ve made our contract template easy to customize and change according to your specific arrangement with the brand ambassador.
7. Review and make necessary adjustments
Before sending the contract to your brand ambassador, make sure to give it several read-throughs to fully understand its terms and conditions.
Encourage your brand ambassador to do the same, and to ask questions and flag areas of concern. Negotiate, discuss, and make the necessary adjustments to the provisions!
8. Utilize Bonsai’s electronic signature feature
Convenience is one of our top priorities, so why not check out the electronic signature feature?
No more printing and manually sending files over; have the documents signed without having to leave your desk!
%20(1).svg)
