The Importance of Finalizing Contracts With a Podcast Guest

Having guests over at your show is always an excellent opportunity to connect with other professionals, learn new things, and have some fun on your podcast. However, before hosting a guest, it is essential to know about the function of a guest appearance contract.

In entering a podcast guest contract, all parties must be fully knowledgeable of how exactly the podcast will be utilized, including the permissions that will be granted. Here’s a quick guide for you to follow:

Finalizing Contracts 

Your content is simply yours, but certain legal aspects are to be considered when you have a special guest on your podcast. Make sure that it’s self-evident that you control the rights to your program and that it may be disseminated any way you choose. This allows you flexibility in terms of sharing and promoting the episode.

When it comes to guest contracts, you’ll be granted the right to lend your audience their name, voice, likeness, and also additional information they provide. That said, it would be best practice to include usage rights in the contract so that you know exactly how you may use what your guests have provided on your platforms.

Additionally, the contract should cover the guest’s right to edit an episode before its release. Build a strong relationship with your guest and let them feel comfortable. If they want anything excised, you must be a good host and assure its removal.

Of course, it’s important to discuss money and rates just like any other business. So, include a payment clause in your contract to ensure trust between all parties.

A Guest Release Form

A guest release form allows the host or the interviewer to maintain total control of the material once the interview is over. Although it has not been determined if necessary, recording an episode without obtaining formal agreement leaves the door open for dissatisfied guests. In worse situations, guests have requested that a show be taken down. 

Podcasters can feel more confident if their guests sign a disclaimer stating that the podcasters will not be held liable in the event of a worst-case scenario. If you’re looking to create your own show’s customized release form, ensure that you seek legal counsel for the proper steps.

The Wrap

Anyone who has ever recorded a podcast episode should communicate with their guests beforehand. At the same time, it wouldn’t hurt to ensure legal protection by providing legal contracts while you realign with all parties through verbal agreements. As much as possible, try to hit all the birds with one stone. After all, securing contracts for podcasters is simply the responsible thing to do. 

When it comes to gaining complete creative control over the final result, it would be ideal for producing written or digital consent forms. This is especially important if you have a business or brand with significant reputational value. You want your team, guest, and audience to benefit from creating and consuming quality content with you. Thus, finalizing contracts with a podcast guest can ensure the protection of all parties!

Creators Legal is the first and only legal platform build just for Content Creators. Get simple, straightforward, and trustworthy creator contracts in a fast, easy-to-use platform. With a powerful guided Form Builder, a secure e-signature system, and your own personalized dashboard to store and organize all your contracts, you can get yourself protected in minutes without the need for expensive entertainment lawyers!

Want to learn more? Check out CreatorsLegal.com, where you can get single use contracts or monthly and annual subscriptions on all contracts for creators! Try us now!