The "Creative Freedom" Trap That Gets Creators Fired

One of the most frustrating parts of running my influencer marketing agency was receiving draft content back from partners that was completely different from the concept the brand had approved.

When I'd politely ask about the discrepancy (while I died inside), the responses always floored me:

"I just thought it sounded better this way."

"When I started filming, I realized it wouldn't work."

"The brand should trust me because I know my audience best."

While all those things might be true, the brand must approve any changes beforehand.

What many creators don't realize is that there are often a ton of people inside organizations who have to sign off on your concept, such as:

• Managers

• Directors

• Vice Presidents

• Legal Affairs & Compliance

• Public Relations

• Partner Agencies

Even though you might think how you describe a product or service is harmless, brands often have strict guidelines and standards all external partners must adhere to.

Remember the toy brand that couldn't feature kids below a certain age in ads?

That's because they get sued all the time by parents whose kids were injured while using the toys. I guess it makes sense, since kids and self-preservation mix about as well as oil and water.

The last thing you want to do is put your contact in a tricky spot where they must explain why you deviated from the approved plan to their boss or client.

If you genuinely feel midway through production that a change must be made, always always always clear it with the brand or agency before proceeding.