How to choose an OFM agency: 12 questions to ask before signing

1. What exactly will the agency do every week?

Ask for a concrete description of the service rather than broad promises about growth. Account management may include strategy, posting, messaging, retention, analytics, promotion, content planning or team coordination. Two agencies can use the same label while providing completely different work.

A useful answer explains who performs each task, how often it happens and what you still need to do yourself. This also helps you compare the commission with the actual workload the agency accepts.

2. Who will have access to my accounts?

You should know which people or teams receive access, what level of access they need and how access is removed if the relationship ends. Avoid handing over your primary email password or losing control of recovery methods.

Use separate team access, role permissions or password-management tools where the platform supports them. Keep ownership of the account, payment details and recovery channels unless a qualified professional has reviewed a different arrangement for you.

3. How is the commission calculated?

A percentage alone is not enough. Clarify whether it applies to gross revenue, net revenue after platform fees, refunds, taxes, chargebacks or paid promotion. Ask when calculations are made and what evidence you receive.

The agreement should also explain costs outside the commission. Advertising, assistants, production, software and chargebacks can materially change what you keep.

4. What is the contract length and how can I leave?

Look for the initial term, automatic renewal, notice period and any post-termination obligations. A long contract is not automatically bad, but it should be justified by the agency's investment and balanced by clear performance and communication standards.

Do not rely on a verbal promise that leaving will be easy. The written exit clause controls what happens when expectations change.

5. Is the agreement exclusive?

Exclusivity may cover one platform, all creator work, certain countries, social media, webcam activities or future projects. Ask the agency to define the exact scope.

If you already work with another provider, disclose that before accepting an introduction. Signing overlapping exclusive agreements can create avoidable disputes.

6. How will we communicate and make decisions?

Good management needs a predictable communication rhythm. Ask whether you receive a named contact, how quickly urgent issues are handled, when performance is reviewed and how content decisions are approved.

The best process is neither total silence nor constant pressure. It should give you enough visibility to understand your business while allowing the team to execute agreed tasks.

7. How are my boundaries documented?

Your boundaries should be treated as operating rules, not suggestions. Ask how they are recorded, communicated to chatters and updated. A professional agency should never depend on you repeatedly defending the same limits.

Keep the first conversation professional. Detailed creative discussions can happen privately after you know who you are speaking with and why the information is necessary.

8. What reporting will I receive?

Useful reporting connects actions to results. Ask which metrics are reviewed, how frequently you receive them and how the agency decides what to change. Screenshots without explanation are not a strategy.

You should be able to understand the direction of the account even if the agency handles daily execution.

9. Can I speak with a current or former client?

References are not perfect, but they can reveal how the agency behaves after the sales call. Ask about communication, payment accuracy, respect for boundaries, account security and the exit process.

Protect other creators' privacy. A legitimate reference should be arranged with consent rather than by sharing private contact details without permission.

10. What happens if the account is restricted or hacked?

Ask for the incident process before an incident occurs. Who documents the issue, contacts the platform, changes access and updates you? The agency should be honest about what it can and cannot control.

11. Who owns the content and working materials?

Clarify ownership and permitted use of photos, videos, captions, scripts, analytics and promotional assets. The agreement should say what the agency may retain after termination and whether it may use your image in marketing.

12. What would make the agency reject or end the cooperation?

This question exposes expectations early. Serious agencies should be able to explain the creator profile they can support, the workload they expect and the behaviours that make cooperation unworkable.

A clear no is better than a vague yes followed by months of poor execution.

A simple decision rule

Do not choose solely on the highest projected income or lowest commission. Compare clarity, competence, incentives, boundaries, security and exit terms. Take time to read the written agreement and get independent legal or tax advice where appropriate.

• You understand the exact service and who delivers it.
• You retain appropriate control over accounts and recovery methods.
• Commission, extra costs and reporting are transparent.
• Your boundaries and approval rights are written down.
• The exit route is realistic and understandable.