Becoming an Influencer by design or by accident puts you in the limelight. And while for most influencers, it works out well, others, even with the best intentions, can end up in the limelight for all of the wrong reasons. Something that doesn’t come up often is how to protect yourself as an influencer – and if you really need it. 

So, what steps can you take to keep yourself protected and continue to do the work that you enjoy to the best of your abilities (these tips also work for bloggers who don’t consider themselves influencers)?

Insurance

There are two types of Insurance that influencers should consider: one is general liability insurance and the other is commercial umbrella coverage.  The general liability will cover property damage, bodily harm, and personal injury, while the commercial will pick up any slack left from the general liability. You’ll need to consider what you undertake as part of your influencing Business and get more specific insurance, but these are a great starting point. 

You And Your Business

As an influencer or blogger, you consider yourself to be your own business, and that is true. But when it comes to legal matters, it is better to have a distinction between your business entity and yourself. Setting up as an LLC will mean that if you are taken to court for any reason or there are business debts, your personal assets aren’t at stake. 

In short, if you get taken to court and the other party wins, as an LLC, you won’t pay out of your personal pocket. 

Contracts 

Excitement at a big offer might take over, and you might be signing a contract that ties you into something that isn’t in your best interest. Protecting yourself, in this instance, will require getting qualified professional help from solicitors with a good reputation. 

When you get a contract, the first thing you should do is take a moment to read it carefully and make a note of things you don’t understand. Get someone you trust to read it through, too. After that, it is time to find someone with legal experience to translate it for you. Look for key points like deliverables, payment terms, contract length, what happens in the case of a breach, and what if the deliverables aren’t met. 

Learn 

When you are in the spotlight, even if it is for food or fashion, not politics – your audience and others will expect you to be versed in topics that are in the news. Before speaking on anything, take the time to find some information and educate yourself. 

Values 

Perhaps when you started, you had strong feelings and values about organic produce; however, a lucrative deal saw you promoting high-processed foods. That shows the audience that you are not being authentic. 

Think about your values and ensure they are something you truly believe in – not just something that sounds good. Being fake will stop your career as an influencer pretty quickly. 

Sharing 

While sharing a lot and often will give you more visibility, you should be mindful of how much you share and when. There have been cases where an influencer has posted their location in real-time, only for disaster to strike. 

Influencing and blogging are some of the many ways to make some extra money (or even full-time money) with your laptop or mobile phone; here are some other options: How to Earn an Extra Income by Using Your Mobile Phone.