Key takeaways
- If an agency asks for your password, 2FA codes or a change to your payout details, you should end the conversation.
- A guaranteed income is a sales promise, because nobody controls what fans spend.
- If the contract differs from what you heard on the call, the contract is what counts.
Which red flags cost you the most?
These seven are worth watching for, and the last column has a question you can ask if you run into one of them.
| Red flag | Why it matters on an earning page | What you can ask |
|---|---|---|
| They ask for your login, 2FA codes or payout details | Whoever holds them can lock you out or redirect your money | Which permissions do you need for which task, and how can I revoke them? |
| A guaranteed income or growth figure | Nobody controls what fans spend, and a guarantee usually comes with a condition | Where is this in the contract, and what happens if you miss it? |
| A fee that stays vague | The share also applies to revenue you already have, so every point counts | What is the percentage calculated on? Can you work through my last month? |
| Results without any context | “Big growth in no time” says little without a starting point, a period and a revenue basis | Which period and which basis, and what did the creator still do on their side? |
| A plan that ignores your history | If the plan would fit any page, nobody has looked at yours | What did you notice about my page, and what would you leave as it is? |
| Pressure to sign this week | A good offer will still be there after a weekend | Can I have the full draft and a week to read it? |
| Terms that change between the call and the contract | Only the contract counts once you’ve signed | How does this clause match what we discussed? |
What looks suspicious but is usually fine?
An upfront payment or retainer can be legitimate, but it puts the risk on you, so ask what you get for it and what you can claim back if it never arrives. We don’t charge upfront fees ourselves.
A small team isn’t a problem in itself, because what counts is who covers your page and how many pages that person looks after. Strict approval rules are usually a good sign, because an agency that asks you to sign off on content and boundaries is protecting you. A notice period isn’t a warning sign either, as long as it’s written down and you can live with it.
How can you test an agency on one call?
Start by asking for the percentage, what it’s calculated on and which tasks it covers, and have them work through your last month with you. After that, you can ask which access they need and what stays with you, who runs your page, who covers when that person is away and how many pages they look after. At the end, ask for the full draft contract and put it next to your notes from the call.
It’s a good sign if the answers get more specific at each step. A good agency also asks about your numbers and your history before it talks about its own, tells you what it won’t do and when you wouldn’t be a good fit, and gives you a named person and an expected reply time. If the call was friendly but the draft stays vague, go by the draft. Our guides on choosing an agency when you already earn and reviewing the contract go into more detail.
What should you do if you spot a red flag?
You don’t need to accuse anyone. Keep the proposal, your notes and the draft in one place and ask for whatever is missing, for example by writing, “Please send me the fee basis and the access list in writing, and then we can talk again.” That records the gap without turning it into an argument.
If the same gap comes back after you’ve asked for a fix, it’s better to walk away. If you’ve already signed, our guide to leaving a bad agency explains what to do next.
How does Drippy measure up against this list?
You’re welcome to measure us against the same list. You keep account ownership, login, 2FA, recovery details and payouts, and where the platform supports it, we work through delegated access that you can revoke. Our commission is 25–50% of revenue after the platform fee, agreed in writing before we start, with no upfront or extra fees, and you can cancel monthly, or immediately by mutual agreement.
We don’t offer income guarantees. Our team has worked with 30+ creators since 2021, and we still can’t promise what fans will spend on your page.
Frequently asked questions
Is an upfront fee always a scam?
No, but you should ask about it carefully, because it puts the risk on you. Find out what you get for it and what you can reclaim if nothing arrives. We don’t charge upfront fees.
Is a growth guarantee a red flag?
Yes, because what fans spend depends on too many things for anyone to guarantee it. Check whether the promise appears in the contract at all and what happens if it’s missed.
How can I check an agency’s results?
Ask for the period, the revenue basis and what the creator did on their side, because a number without a starting point doesn’t tell you much. It’s best to rely only on what you can verify.
You’re welcome to ask us every question on this list. Send us a short inquiry and we’ll reply within 12 hours.