The content economy is expected to hit a half-trillion dollars by 2027, with over 50 million creators turning their online influence into thriving careers. To support this exploding industry, Chelsey Mori founded Unbound Legal—a modern law firm designed to refresh outdated legal services with transparent subscription pricing, cutting-edge AI tools, and fast, on-demand communication. Through innovations like AI-powered contract playbooks, an AI digital replica of herself for instant client support, and even running her practice from a VR headset, Mori is setting a new standard for modern legal support.

Gone are the days when creators relied solely on brand sponsorships and platform payouts. Creators have evolved from entertainers to mega-entrepreneurs, transforming their social reach into independent brands and businesses. Recognizing the risks posed by changing algorithms, account suspensions, and platform outages, today’s creators are prioritizing diversification and ownership. Top creators not only grow audiences on social platforms but also drive revenue through their own websites, turning followers into dedicated customers and building sustainable income streams.

Below, Mori shares five essential legal strategies tailored to the unique needs of today’s content creators.

1. Know Your Value. While the new era of the content economy demands diversification and ownership, brand deals still make up the primary revenue source for two-thirds of creators, with 93% of companies set to increase their creator budgets in 2025. “When negotiating with brands, creators should establish a base rate for various content types and platforms,” explains Mori. “On top of this base rate, creators should charge extra for specific brand requests like paid usage, whitelisting, exclusivity, rush work, extra revisions, and link-in-bio placements.” 

Mori advises creators to negotiate for longer-term partnerships that resonate with their brand and audience. Negotiating for equity, consulting fees, or offering discounts for multi-integration deals can turn a one-time collaboration into a reliable income stream, while aligning the creator’s brand with genuine endorsements. “Creators should also use platforms like FYPM [F You Pay Me] to compare rates and share insights on brand partnerships, ensuring they’re being fairly compensated,” Mori advises.

2. Level Up Your Contract Knowledge: Navigating brand partnerships, management agreements, and platform deals requires a solid understanding of contract basics. To simplify this process, creators can leverage Mori’s do-it-yourself AI playbooks. Designed specifically for content economy agreements and accessible through a Word extension, these playbooks suggest redlines based on real attorney comments and professional insights. Unlike general AI tools like ChatGPT, which many creators use as a substitute for traditional legal advice, Mori’s playbooks offer tailored, attorney guidance—empowering creators to confidently redline contracts.

Here are key clauses that protect creators from potential pitfalls:

• Termination Fees/Penalties: Creators should look out for excessive termination or sunset fees. Mori has encountered contracts that demand creators repay seven-figure fees simply for opting not to renew their term, and others imposing $50,000 penalties for early termination. Creators should also be wary of liquidated damages—clauses that impose steep pre-set penalties for contract breaches. Although Mori has successfully negotiated these terms after the fact, she advises avoiding them from the outset.

• Limitation of Liability: Creators should make sure the Limitation of Liability clause applies to them, not just the other party. This clause caps a creator's financial responsibility to the amount they were paid under the contract, protecting them from being held liable for damages or legal claims that exceed the contract’s value. Without this safeguard, creators risk unlimited financial exposure.

• Mutual Indemnity: Creators should ensure the contract includes a mutual indemnity clause that requires the other party to indemnify them for any breaches or issues caused by that party. This clause protects creators from liability for problems beyond their control. For example, if a creator is sued for promoting a brand’s defective product, the brand—not the creator—should be responsible for covering legal costs and damages.

• Reverse Morals Clause: While many brands include a morals clause to protect their reputation, creators should negotiate a reverse morals clause to safeguard their own. This clause allows creators to terminate an agreement and remove any related content if the brand becomes involved in a scandal—while still retaining their full fee. It gives creators control to disassociate from brands facing public controversy or misconduct, protecting their reputation.

• Pay-or-Play Clause: Creators should negotiate a pay-or-play clause (also known as a kill fee) to ensure they’re compensated even if a campaign is canceled. For example, a creator might negotiate 50% of the fee if the campaign is canceled after signing the contract, and 100% if the campaign  is canceled within seven days of the scheduled post. This clause protects creators from lost opportunity costs and guarantees payment for any prep work already completed. Additionally, if a brand cancels, the creator retains the flexibility to secure a new brand deal to fill the open slot, maximizing both their time and revenue potential.

• Payment Terms: While Net 30 is standard, creators working with new partners might negotiate 50% of their fee upfront with the remaining 50% upon posting to ensure payment security. Including late payment interest clause can further incentivize timely payments. If collaborating through an agency, creators should confirm that their payment is not dependent on the agency receiving funds from the brand, which protects against third-party payment delays. This is particularly important if the agency agreement restricts creators from communicating directly with the brand.

3. Lean into Paid Community: 

Creators today are evolving from simply amassing followers to building dedicated, paid communities to deepen engagement with their core audience. Platforms like Fanfix, Brand Army, and Patreon allow creators to offer exclusive content, behind-the-scenes footage, direct messages, and early releases to their most engaged fans. This approach not only generates recurring revenue but also fosters personalized connections with the creator’s community. By capturing these loyal audiences through email lists or exclusive platforms, creators reduce their reliance on ad revenue, building a sustainable business less vulnerable to platform changes.

4. Diversify Revenue Streams: 

For creators pursuing creative and financial independence, diversification and ownership are essential. Rather than relying solely on platform payouts from ads or views, savvy creators tap into a range of income sources like digital products, affiliate links, consulting services, merchandise, and exclusive memberships. Mori encourages creators to develop robust intellectual property assets, such as videos, branded merchandise, trademarks, apps, and even licensing agreements. Launching a podcast, creating a product line, offering courses, or publishing an eBook are all ways creators can expand their brand while boosting income. This multifaceted strategy enables creators to maintain creative control and authenticity, say no to partnerships that do not align with their values, and remain resilient in the face of social platform shifts. By diversifying income streams, creators reduce dependency on any single platform, paving the way for a more sustainable financial future and cultivating deeper, more meaningful engagement with their audience.

5. Get Everything in Writing: 

In the creator economy, clear, written agreements are essential for every collaboration—whether sharing a social media channel, co-creating content, or hiring a manager. These contracts should outline key elements like ownership rights, profit-sharing, and exits. Creators should form an LLC to house all social channels and intellectual property assets. Ensure everyone you work with signs employee or independent contractor agreements – and avoid misclassifying because there are hefty penalties. Contractors, such as photographers, videographers, editors, and designers should sign work-for-hire agreements to ensure their work product belongs to the creator. As a creator’s visibility grows, they should consider using non-disclosure agreements to protect both personal and sensitive business information.

The creator economy moves fast—and Unbound Legal is built to keep up. By offering on-demand, in-house counsel tailored to the unique needs of the creator economy, Chelsey Mori is bridging the gap between outdated legal services and the demands of digital entrepreneurship. “I designed Unbound Legal to feel as approachable, creative, and innovative as my clients,” says Mori. “It’s about helping creators build sustainable careers in a digital era where the rules change faster than traditional firms can keep up.”

To learn more about Chelsey Mori and Unbound Legal, visit the website unbound.legal.