Collaborations

Collaborations are the heart of Flexilocus—where creators and brands come together to create sponsored content. This comprehensive guide covers everything from understanding collaboration types and statuses to managing proposals, deliverables, and successful campaign execution.

Collaboration Overview

What Are Collaborations?

A collaboration is a formal partnership between you (the creator) and a brand to create sponsored content. Collaborations involve negotiation, content creation, review processes, and compensation. They are managed entirely within Flexilocus, providing a structured workflow from initial contact to final payment.

Key Collaboration Elements:

Parties: You and the brand
Channel(s): The platform(s) where content will be published
Deliverables: Specific content pieces you'll create
Terms: Timeline, pricing, usage rights, and requirements
Communication: Collaboration chat for discussions
Proposals: Formal offers and agreements
Workflow: Submission, review, approval, and publishing process

Types of Collaborations

1. Direct Outreach from Brands:

Brand discovers your profile
Brand sends you an invitation or proposal
You review and decide to accept, decline, or negotiate

2. Campaign Invitations:

Brand invites you to participate in a campaign
Structured campaign with specific requirements
May be exclusive invite or competitive selection

3. Campaign Applications:

You apply to a public campaign
Brand reviews applications and selects creators
Converts to collaboration if accepted

4. Creator Proposals (Your Outreach):

You discover a brand you want to work with
You send them a collaboration proposal
Brand reviews and responds

Collaboration Lifecycle

Typical Collaboration Journey:

Initiation: Brand reaches out or you apply/propose
Pending: Awaiting initial response or decision
Negotiating: Discussing terms, deliverables, and pricing
Agreement: Both parties accept terms (collaboration becomes active)
In Progress: Creating content, submitting for review
Content Review: Brand reviews and approves (or requests revisions)
Publishing: Approved content goes live
Reporting: Share performance metrics with brand
Completed: All deliverables fulfilled, payment processed
Follow-Up: Relationship building for future opportunities

Collaboration Statuses Explained

Collaborations move through various statuses:

🟡 Pending:

Initial stage after invitation or application
Awaiting your response or brand's decision
No active work yet

💬 Negotiating:

Terms are being discussed
Proposals are being exchanged
Both parties working toward agreement

🟢 In Progress:

Terms accepted by both parties
Active content creation phase
Deliverables being produced and submitted

✅ Completed:

All deliverables submitted and approved
Content published as agreed
Payment processed (or being processed)
Collaboration successfully finished

❌ Rejected:

Brand or creator declined the collaboration
No agreement reached
Collaboration won't move forward

⚠️ Cancellation Requested:

One party has requested to cancel
Other party needs to approve cancellation
Temporary status during cancellation process

🛑 Cancelled:

Collaboration terminated by mutual agreement or platform
Work stopped
May involve partial payment depending on progress

Your Role as a Creator in Collaborations

Your Responsibilities:

Communication:

Respond promptly to messages (within 24-48 hours)
Ask clarifying questions when needed
Keep brand updated on progress
Report issues proactively

Negotiation:

Review proposals carefully
Counter with fair, justified pricing
Be reasonable and professional
Find mutually beneficial terms

Content Creation:

Follow brand guidelines and brief
Deliver high-quality work
Meet deadlines
Maintain your authentic voice

Submission:

Submit content by deadlines
Provide necessary formats and files
Include required elements (hashtags, links, tags)

Revisions:

Accept reasonable revision requests gracefully
Implement feedback thoughtfully
Communicate if requests are unreasonable

Publishing:

Post on agreed dates and times
Use correct links, codes, and tags
Follow posting guidelines

Reporting:

Share performance metrics honestly
Provide insights when requested
Help brand understand results

Professionalism:

Honor your commitments
Maintain confidentiality
Build long-term relationships
Represent both your brand and theirs well

Collaboration Statuses

(Expanded detail beyond overview)

Pending Status

What It Means:

Collaboration has been initiated but not yet actively negotiated
You're considering a brand invitation
Brand is considering your application/proposal
No formal agreement or work has begun

As the Creator:

Review all collaboration details
Research the brand
Evaluate fit with your audience and values
Decide: Accept, Decline, or Request More Information

Next Actions:

Accept the invitation to move to Negotiating
Decline if it's not a good fit
Send a message to ask questions
Wait for brand's decision (if you applied)

Timeframe:

Don't leave brands waiting too long
Respond within 48-72 hours when possible
Brands may move on if you delay

Negotiating Status

What It Means:

Both parties are interested in working together
Terms, pricing, deliverables are being discussed
Proposals may be exchanged back and forth
Agreement not yet finalized

What Happens Here:

Brand may send initial proposal with deliverables and pricing
You review and either accept or counter
Discussions via collaboration chat
Multiple proposal rounds may occur
Fine-tuning of details (timeline, usage rights, etc.)

Your Actions:

Review proposals thoroughly
Counter with justifications if needed
Ask clarifying questions
Be flexible but know your worth
Aim for win-win agreement

How Long It Takes:

Can be quick (same day) or extended (weeks)
Depends on complexity and responsiveness
Brands may have internal approval processes
Balance patience with proactive communication

In Progress Status

What It Means:

Agreement has been reached
Collaboration is active
You're creating content and working on deliverables
This is the execution phase

What You're Doing:

Creating content per agreed brief
Submitting drafts for approval
Implementing revision requests
Communicating regularly with brand
Meeting deadlines

Brand's Role:

Reviewing submitted content
Providing feedback and approval
Supporting you with assets, info, products
Answering your questions

Key Activities:

Product receipt (if physical product)
Content creation and editing
Draft submissions
Revision rounds
Final approvals
Publishing content
Performance tracking

Completed Status

What It Means:

All agreed deliverables have been fulfilled
Content has been published
Brand has approved all work
Payment has been processed or is being processed
Collaboration is successfully finished

Final Steps:

Performance reporting (if required)
Final communications and thank yous
Invoice submission (if applicable)
Payment confirmation
Request testimonial or case study (optional)

After Completion:

Collaboration remains in your history
Can be referenced in future applications
Brand logo can be added to your storefront (with permission)
Opportunity for repeat collaborations
Leave feedback for brand (if platform supports it)

Rejected Status

What It Means:

Collaboration has been declined
Either you or the brand said no
No agreement was reached
Collaboration ends here

Common Reasons for Rejection:

Brand Rejects:

Doesn't meet campaign requirements
Found better-fit creators
Budget constraints
Timeline conflicts
Content style mismatch

Creator Rejects:

Compensation too low
Brand conflict (working with competitor)
Values misalignment
Terms unacceptable
Timeline doesn't work

What to Do:

Accept the decision gracefully
Learn from the experience
Don't take personally
Focus on other opportunities
Consider if there's room for improvement

Cancellation Requested Status

What It Means:

One party wants to terminate the collaboration
Request is pending approval from other party
Temporary status during cancellation process
Collaboration may still be saved if issue is resolved

Why Cancellations Happen:

Timeline can't be met
Budget changes
Product unavailability
Strategy shifts
Performance concerns
Breach of terms
Force majeure (unexpected circumstances)

When You Request Cancellation:

Explain reason clearly
Propose solutions if possible
Be professional and apologetic if appropriate
Understand potential consequences

When Brand Requests Cancellation:

Understand their reasoning
Discuss potential solutions
Negotiate compensation if work was done
Review contract terms

Cancelled Status

What It Means:

Collaboration has been terminated
Work has stopped
No further deliverables expected
Partial payment may be negotiated depending on work completed

Post-Cancellation:

Review any partial payment agreements
Remove from active collaborations
Document lessons learned
May impact future opportunities with that brand
Moves to collaboration history

Handling Cancellations Professionally:

Stay calm and professional
Understand business reasons
Don't burn bridges
Honor any partial agreements
Move forward to new opportunities

Receiving Collaboration Invitations

Brand Invitation Workflow

How You Receive Invitations:

Notification: Email and/or in-app notification
Collaboration Created: New collaboration appears in your dashboard
Status: Starts at "Pending" status
Action Required: You need to review and respond

What's Included in Invitation:

Brand information and profile
Initial message from brand
Channel(s) they want to work with
Preliminary deliverable information
Proposed timeline
Sometimes initial proposal with pricing

Invitation Messages from Brands

Typical Invitation Message Includes:

Introduction and why they're reaching out
What they love about your content/channel
What they're looking for in a collaboration
Initial ideas or campaign overview
Request for your interest and rates
Next steps

Example Brand Invitation:

Hi [Your Name],

We've been following your [platform] content and love your [specific thing about
your content]. Your audience demographics align perfectly with our target market
for our new [product/campaign].

We're launching [product/campaign name] and would love to explore a collaboration
with you. We're thinking [content type] featuring [product/service], but we're
open to your creative ideas!

Are you interested and available between [dates]? If so, we'd love to discuss
details and your rates.

Looking forward to potentially working together!

Best,
[Brand Contact Name]
[Brand Name] Team

Reviewing Invitation Details

What to Evaluate:

1. Brand Fit:

Does the brand align with your values?
Is it relevant to your audience?
Would you genuinely use/recommend their product?
What's their reputation?

2. Deliverables:

What exactly are they asking for?
Is it within your capabilities?
Does it fit your content style?
How much work is involved?

3. Timeline:

Do the proposed dates work for you?
Do you have bandwidth for this project?
Are deadlines realistic?
Any scheduling conflicts?

4. Compensation (if mentioned):

Is the offered rate fair for your audience size?
Does it match your standard rates?
Is there room for negotiation?
Are there non-monetary benefits (products, exposure, etc.)?

5. Terms:

Usage rights expectations
Exclusivity requirements
Revision policy
Payment terms

Research the Brand:

Visit their website
Check their social media
Google their reputation
Look for reviews or controversies
See if they've worked with other creators

Accepting or Declining Invitations

How to Accept:

Click "Accept" button or reply affirmatively in chat
Collaboration moves to "Negotiating" status
Begin discussing specific terms
Work toward formal proposal and agreement

When to Accept:

✅ Brand aligns with your values
✅ Audience would appreciate the partnership
✅ Compensation seems fair (or negotiable)
✅ Timeline works for you
✅ Excited about the opportunity

How to Decline Politely:

Hi [Brand Name],

Thank you so much for reaching out and considering me for this collaboration!
I appreciate the opportunity.

Unfortunately, [reason: timeline doesn't work / not a fit for my audience /
working with a competing brand / rate doesn't match my current pricing], so
I won't be able to participate this time.

I wish you all the best with the campaign, and I hope we can find an opportunity
to work together in the future!

Best regards,
[Your Name]

When to Decline:

❌ Brand values don't align with yours
❌ Product/service isn't relevant to your audience
❌ Compensation is far below your rates
❌ Timeline is impossible
❌ Already working with a competitor
❌ Terms are unacceptable
❌ Gut feeling says no

Decline Professionally:

Be polite and grateful for the opportunity
Provide brief, honest reason (optional)
Leave door open for future collaborations
Respond promptly—don't ghost

What Information Brands Provide in Invitations

Standard Information:

Brand introduction and background
Campaign or collaboration overview
Desired content type and platform
Preliminary timeline
Why they chose you

Detailed Invitations May Include:

Specific deliverable list
Proposed pricing
Campaign brief or guidelines
Product information
Contract or agreement draft
Timeline with specific dates
Usage rights expectations

What Might Be Missing (to be negotiated):

Exact pricing (may ask for your rates)
Specific deliverable details
Final timeline
Revision policy
Usage rights terms

If Information Is Missing:

Ask questions in the collaboration chat
Request a detailed brief
Clarify expectations before committing
Don't assume—always confirm

The Chat Interface

Accessing Collaboration Chat

How to Find Chat:

Navigate to "Collaborations" in your dashboard
Click on the specific collaboration
Chat interface appears (usually main section or tab)
All communication for this collaboration happens here

Chat Features:

Real-time messaging
Message history
File attachments
System messages (proposal sent, status changes, etc.)
Read receipts (if enabled)
Notification badges for unread messages

Message Types

1. Text Messages:

Standard communication between you and brand
Questions, updates, discussions
Can include formatting (bold, italics, links)

2. File Attachments:

Images, videos, documents
Content drafts
Brand assets
Contracts or agreements
Reference materials

3. System Messages:

Automated notifications about collaboration activity
"Proposal sent by [Brand]"
"Status changed to In Progress"
"Content submitted for review"
"Content approved"
"Payment processed"

4. Proposal Messages:

Formal proposals with deliverables and pricing
Appear as special message types
Include "Accept" or "Counter" actions

Sending Messages and Files

Sending a Text Message:

Type your message in the message input box
Review for typos and clarity
Press "Send" or hit Enter
Message appears in chat history

Best Messaging Practices:

Be clear and concise
Professional but friendly
Proofread before sending
Respond within 24-48 hours
Keep conversations organized
Use proper grammar and spelling

Sending File Attachments:

Click the "Attach File" or paperclip icon
Select file from your computer
Wait for upload (progress bar may appear)
Add optional message describing the file
Send

Supported File Types:

Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP
Videos: MP4, MOV, etc.
Documents: PDF, DOCX, XLSX
Archives: ZIP (for multiple files)
File size limits may apply (e.g., 100MB)

When to Send Files:

Content drafts for review
Reference images or inspiration
Final deliverables (if not using separate submission system)
Contracts or agreements
Invoice documents
Performance reports or screenshots

File Attachments and Private File Sharing

Privacy & Security:

Files shared in collaboration chat are private
Only you and the brand can see them
Not publicly accessible
Secure file storage

Organizing Files:

Name files clearly (e.g., "Draft_InstagramReel_v1.mp4")
Version files if sending multiple drafts
Group related files in a ZIP if needed
Reference files in message text

File Sharing Alternatives:

For very large files, use external services (Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer)
Share link in chat message
Ensure proper permissions are set
Confirm brand received and can access

Reading Status and Notifications

Read Receipts (if enabled):

✓ Message sent
✓✓ Message delivered
👁️ Message read
Helps you know if brand saw your message

Notifications:

Email notifications for new messages
In-app notification badges
Push notifications (if mobile app)
Customize notification preferences in settings

Managing Notifications:

Turn on for important updates
Set quiet hours if needed
Choose which events trigger notifications
Balance staying informed with notification fatigue

Chat Best Practices for Professional Communication

Responsiveness:

Aim to respond within 24-48 hours
If you need more time, acknowledge receipt
Set expectations for your response time
Use "away" status if unavailable

Clarity:

Be specific and clear in your questions and updates
Avoid ambiguity
Confirm understanding of brand requests
Summarize complex discussions

Professionalism:

Use proper grammar and spelling
Avoid excessive slang or emojis (unless brand's tone is very casual)
Stay on topic
Be respectful and courteous

Organization:

Keep conversations organized
Reference previous messages when needed
Break long messages into paragraphs
Use bullet points for lists

Proactivity:

Update brand on progress without them having to ask
Raise issues or concerns early
Ask questions when unclear
Suggest solutions, not just problems

Example Professional Messages:

Confirming Understanding:

Hi [Brand],

Thanks for the detailed brief! Just to confirm my understanding:
- 1 Instagram Reel (60 seconds)
- 3 Instagram Stories
- Draft submission by Nov 15
- Posting on Nov 22
- Using #BrandCampaign and @BrandHandle

Is that correct? Let me know if I'm missing anything!

Best,
[Your Name]

Progress Update:

Hi [Brand],

Quick update: I received the product yesterday and have started creating content.
So far the footage is looking great! I'm on track to submit the draft by our
deadline of Nov 15.

I'll keep you posted!

Best,
[Your Name]

Raising an Issue:

Hi [Brand],

I wanted to flag a potential issue early: the product arrived damaged during
shipping. I've attached photos. This might delay content creation.

Could you send a replacement, or would you like me to work with what I have
and edit around the damage?

Let me know how you'd like to proceed!

Best,
[Your Name]

Understanding Proposals

What Proposals Are in Flexilocus

Proposals are formal offers that define the terms of a collaboration. They specify:

Deliverables: What content you'll create
Channels: Where content will be published
Pricing: Compensation for each deliverable
Timeline: Deadlines and publish dates
Terms: Usage rights, revisions, and other conditions

Purpose of Proposals:

Formalize the agreement
Ensure both parties are aligned
Create clear expectations
Serve as contract/reference
Track what's been agreed to

Who Creates Proposals:

Brands typically send initial proposals to creators
Creators can counter-propose with modifications
Either party can propose throughout negotiation
Multiple proposal rounds are common

Proposal Types

Initial Offer:

Brand's first formal proposal to you
Outlines what they want and what they're offering
Starting point for negotiation

Counter-Proposal:

Your response to brand's proposal
Includes your modifications (pricing, deliverables, timeline, etc.)
Continues negotiation

Modification/Revision Proposal:

Changes to an existing proposal
May adjust deliverables, pricing, or terms
Can happen multiple times during negotiation

Final Accepted Proposal:

The proposal both parties agree to
Becomes the binding agreement
Defines what will be executed

Formal vs Informal Proposals

Formal Proposals:

Structured with all details filled out
Includes pricing, deliverables, timelines
Both parties can formally accept/reject
Becomes contract when accepted
Tracked by system

Informal Proposals (Discussion-Based):

Discussed in chat without formal proposal structure
More flexible, conversational
May be formalized later
Common in early negotiation stages

When to Use Formal Proposals:

Once terms are nearly agreed upon
To clarify and document agreement
Before beginning work
For complex multi-deliverable collaborations
When legal documentation is needed

Proposal Items and Deliverables

What Are Proposal Items? Individual content pieces or services within a proposal. Each proposal can have multiple items.

Example Proposal with Multiple Items:

Item 1: Instagram Reel - $500
Item 2: Instagram Stories Bundle (3 stories) - $200
Item 3: YouTube 60-second integration - $1,000
Total: $1,700

What Each Item Includes:

Deliverable Description: What content you'll create
Channel: Where it will be published
Pricing: Cost for this specific deliverable
Timeline: Deadline for this item
Publish Date: When content will go live
Details: Specific requirements, usage rights, revisions, etc.

How Proposals Structure the Deal

Proposal Sections:

1. Overview:

Collaboration summary
Brand and creator information
Total compensation
Overall timeline

2. Deliverables (Proposal Items):

List of all content pieces
Individual pricing per item
Specific requirements per deliverable
Deadlines per item

3. Terms & Conditions:

Usage rights
Revision policy
Exclusivity clauses
Payment terms
Confidentiality
Cancellation policy

4. Timeline:

Key milestones
Content submission deadlines
Publishing dates
Campaign duration

5. Pricing Summary:

Breakdown by deliverable
Total collaboration value
Payment schedule
Additional fees or expenses

Proposal Versions and History

Why Multiple Versions Exist:

Negotiation involves back-and-forth
Terms may be adjusted multiple times
Both parties may propose changes
History shows how agreement evolved

Tracking Proposal Versions:

v1: Brand's initial proposal - $1,000
v2: Your counter-proposal - $1,500
v3: Brand's revised proposal - $1,300
v4: Your acceptance - $1,300 (Final)

Accessing Proposal History:

Go to collaboration page
Find "Proposals" tab or section
View all proposal versions
See who sent each version and when
Compare changes between versions

Why History Matters:

Track negotiation progress
Reference previous terms
Understand how you arrived at final agreement
Resolve disputes or misunderstandings
Learn what was changed and why

Negotiating Deals

(Content continues with comprehensive negotiation guidance, proposal management, content submission, performance reporting, and all other collaboration topics as outlined in the master plan.)

Next Steps

Now that you understand collaborations:

Manage Active Collaborations → Keep track of your ongoing partnerships
Understand Proposals → Review and negotiate effectively
Deliver Quality Content → Follow best practices for content creation
Build Relationships → Foster long-term brand partnerships
Track Performance → Monitor and report on your content's success

Collaborations are where you earn income and build your reputation on Flexilocus. Approach each one professionally, deliver exceptional work, and you'll create a sustainable creator business!