Collab Marketplace How-To Guide

Go to /collab/setup from your dashboard or click "Set Up Your Profile" from the matches page.

You'll see a 4-step wizard that guides you through creating your profile.

Complete your basic profile information:

• Display Name: How you'll appear to others (required)
• Bio: Tell others about yourself and what you create
• Location: City and state/region (helps with local matches)
• Website/Portfolio: Link to your personal website or portfolio

Tell us about your content creation expertise:

• Niches: Topics you create content about (foodie, fitness, travel, etc.)
• Target Audience: Who your content resonates with (moms, genz, homeowners, etc.)
• Content Formats: Types of content you create (reels, shorts, photos, UGC)
• Collaboration Types: What you're open to (shoutout, sponsored posts, brand deals)
• Pricing Range: Your minimum and maximum project rates

Link your social media accounts:

• Select platform (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• Enter your @username or handle
• Add follower count (self-reported, used for matching)
• Click "Add Another Platform" to add multiple accounts

Review and accept the required agreements:

• Marketplace Terms: Platform fees (7% + 3% processing = 90% payout)
• Independent Contractor: You're self-employed, responsible for taxes
• Content Rights: You'll create original content or have proper licenses

Click "Create Profile" when done. Your profile will be generated and you'll be redirected to the matches page!

Go to /collab/matches to see your AI-generated recommendations.

You'll see a dashboard with:

• Stats: Number of matches, average score, combined reach
• Filters: Search by name/niche, filter by match score or status
• Match Cards: Profiles with percentage scores and reasoning

Match scores range from 60-100%:

• 90%+: Exceptional match – highly compatible
• 75-89%: Great match – strong alignment
• 60-74%: Good match – worth exploring

Each match card shows:

• Vector Similarity: How well your profiles align semantically
• Audience Fit: Overlap in target audiences
• Format Match: Compatible content formats
• Local Fit: Geographic proximity (if applicable)

Use the filters to refine your matches:

• Search Bar: Type name, niche, or location keywords
• Score Filter: Show only 60%+, 70%+, 80%+, or 90%+ matches
• Status Filter: View suggested, contacted, or collaborated matches

Click "Refresh" to reload matches with new filters applied.

Click "View" on a match card to see their full profile:

• Portfolio samples and media kit
• Social platform links with follower counts
• Niches, audience, and content formats
• Collaboration types they're open to
• Pricing range and availability

From the matches page or a creator's profile, click "Request Collaboration".

You'll be taken to the collaboration request form at /collab/request.

Provide clear project information:

• Project Title: Brief name for the collaboration
• Description: What you want created, target audience, messaging
• Budget: Total project budget (creator receives 90% after fees)
• Deadline: When deliverables are due

The form will automatically calculate:

• Platform fee (7%)
• Processing fee (3%)
• Creator payout (90%)

Add specific deliverables for the project:

• Type: Instagram Reel, TikTok video, YouTube Short, etc.
• Quantity: Number of posts/videos
• Specifications: Duration, format, resolution requirements
• Usage Rights: How you'll use the content (1-year license, perpetual, exclusive, etc.)

Click "Add Deliverable" to include multiple items.

Review your request and click "Send Request".

The creator will receive a notification via email and dashboard. They can:

• Accept: Project starts, payment is charged and held in escrow
• Decline: You'll be notified and can reach out to other creators
• Counter: They may propose adjustments to budget or timeline

Response time: Most creators respond within 24-48 hours.

Go to /collab/dashboard to see:

• Active Projects: Current collaborations in progress
• Pending Requests: Incoming collaboration offers
• Completed Projects: Past work and earnings

When your content is ready:

• Open the active project
• Click "Upload Deliverable" for each item
• Select file (images, videos, PDFs, ZIP files – max 100MB)
• Add notes about the content
• Click "Submit for Review"

Files are securely stored in Cloudflare R2. The business receives a notification to review.

When you receive deliverables:

• Go to your collaboration dashboard
• Click "Review Deliverable"
• Download and review the content

You have three options:

• Approve: Accept the deliverable (counts toward final payout)
• Request Revision: Provide specific feedback for changes
• Reject: If deliverable doesn't meet agreement (rare, requires explanation)

If revisions are requested:

• Creator receives notification with feedback
• Creator makes changes and resubmits
• Revision count increments for tracking
• Business reviews updated version

Best practices for revisions:

• Be specific about what needs to change
• Reference the original agreement/brief
• Provide examples or visual references when possible
• Set reasonable revision limits upfront (typically 2 rounds)

Before receiving payments, you need a Stripe Connect account:

• Go to your creator profile settings
• Click "Connect Stripe Account"
• Complete Stripe's onboarding (identity verification, bank info, tax forms)
• Wait for Stripe approval (typically 1-2 business days)

You only need to do this once. Stripe handles all payment processing and tax reporting (1099-K for US creators earning $600+/year).

Upload and get approval for all project deliverables.

Payment is held in escrow until:

• All deliverables are approved by the business
• The 24-hour dispute window passes

Once deliverables are approved:

• Day 0: Business approves final deliverable
• Day 1: 24-hour dispute window (safety period)
• Day 2: Funds transferred to your Stripe Connect account
• Days 3-5: Stripe deposits to your bank account

Total time: 3-5 business days from final approval to bank account.

View your earnings from the dashboard:

• Total Earned: Lifetime earnings (90% of project totals)
• Pending: Projects in escrow waiting for approval
• Paid Out: Money already transferred to your bank
• Project History: Detailed breakdown per collaboration

Possible causes:

• Profile not complete (go to /collab/setup and finish all 4 steps)
• Profile needs time to generate embeddings (wait 5-10 minutes after setup)
• Match score threshold too high (lower from 90% to 60% in filters)
• No creators in your niche yet (expand to related niches in your profile)

Solution: Complete your profile, wait a few minutes, then refresh the matches page.

Common reasons:

• Budget too low for creator's rates
• Timeline too tight
• Brand/product not aligned with creator's audience
• Creator already booked with other projects

Solution: Review feedback (if provided), adjust your offer, and reach out to other matches. You can also message the creator to discuss adjustments.

Possible causes:

• File too large (max 100MB per upload)
• Unsupported file type (must be image, video, PDF, or ZIP)
• Network timeout on slow connection

Solution: Compress large files, use supported formats, or split into multiple uploads. For very large files, use a ZIP archive.

Check these first:

• Stripe account connected and verified?
• All deliverables approved?
• 24-hour dispute window passed?
• Stripe's standard transfer time (2-3 business days)?

If still missing after 7 days: Contact support with your project ID and Stripe account email.

If there's a disagreement about deliverables or payment:

1. Direct Communication: Try to resolve with the other party first (use messaging)
2. Platform Mediation: Request mediation within 10 days of approval
3. Submit Evidence: Provide deliverables, contracts, and communication logs
4. Review Period: Platform support reviews (5-7 business days)
5. Decision: Funds released, refunded, split, or revision required

Prevention tip: Set clear expectations upfront! Define deliverables, timelines, and content rights in writing before starting work.