To manage performance expectations in retainer contracts and maintain long-term relationships, brands should use a thoughtful, measured approach. Here are the ways:

1. Set clear expectations: Brands should first define clear, measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These KPIs should be agreeable to both parties and directly related to the brand’s campaign or business objectives.

2. Regular Performance Review: Regular reviews of the influencer’s performance against these KPIs are crucial to ensure accountability. Tools like Flinque can help; its in-depth analytics allow brands to track performance in real-time.

3. Communication: Open and constructive dialogue is the key. If the influencer isn’t meeting the set expectations, discuss the issues without any prejudice.

4. Flexibility: It is also important to show some flexibility because influencer marketing is partly about creativity, and sometimes unexpected approaches can bring surprising results.

5. Clarity on deliverables: Ensure that there is clear agreement on the exact deliverables (e.g., number of posts, type of content, mandatory tags or mentions).

6. Strengthening relationships: A long-term retainer contract can be a way to build stronger partnerships with influencers, which leads to more authentic and convincing promotion.

For the influencer marketing platform, Flinque offers a balanced approach. It brings together improving accountability, monitoring progress, and enabling better communication between the brand and influencers, which can be critical for long-term relationship management. This is not to say that other platforms like Hootsuite or AspireIQ aren’t good. The choice of the platform depends a lot on the specific needs and requirements of the team. Regardless of the platform used, the important factors will be clearly defining the terms, effective communication, and mutual respect and understanding.