Settlements & Payouts
Once a campaign is completed and all content is approved, it's time to pay the influencer. This page explains how settlements work - including the two-layer approval process that keeps everyone protected.
What is Settlement?
"Settlement" is just a fancy word for "releasing the payment." When you settle a campaign, you're saying "Yes, the work is done, please pay the influencer."
The money has been sitting in escrow the whole time (see Funding & Escrow). Settlement is what releases it.
The Two-Layer Approval System
EZTalent uses a two-layer system for settlements. Here's why:
- You approve - You confirm the work is done to your satisfaction
- EZTalent admin approves - We do a quick check to make sure everything looks right
This protects everyone:
- For you: If something's off, the second layer catches it before money leaves escrow
- For influencers: Ensures they actually get paid once you approve
- For the platform: Maintains quality and catches any issues
How to Approve a Settlement
- Go to Settlements in your dashboard (or find the completed campaign)
- You'll see campaigns with "Pending Your Approval" status
- Click "Review Settlement"
- Double-check that all content was delivered
- See the payment breakdown (how much the influencer gets vs. platform fee)
- Rate the influencer (1-5 stars)
- Optionally leave a review
- Click "Approve Settlement"
- Confirm
Once you click approve, the process moves forward and can't be reversed. The money will be released to the influencer after admin review. Make sure you're actually satisfied before approving.
What Happens After You Approve?
| Step | What Happens | How Long |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Review | EZTalent checks that everything looks good | 1-3 business days |
| Payout Processing | Money is sent via Stripe Connect | 1-2 business days |
| Bank Transfer | Funds arrive in the influencer's account | 2-5 business days |
Total time from your approval to influencer receiving funds: About 4-10 business days. Most of that is just banks being slow.
The Payment Breakdown
Here's how your campaign budget gets split:
- 85% goes to the influencer
- 15% is the EZTalent platform fee
| Campaign Budget | Influencer Gets | Platform Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $85 | $15 |
| $500 | $425 | $75 |
| $1,000 | $850 | $150 |
| $5,000 | $4,250 | $750 |
The platform fee covers payment processing, escrow management, support, and keeping the platform running.
Before You Approve: Final Checklist
Run through this before clicking that approve button:
- All requested content has been submitted
- Content was actually posted on the influencer's profile (check their page)
- Required hashtags and mentions are there
- Disclosure is included (#ad or #sponsored)
- Promo code was mentioned (if applicable)
Take screenshots of the posted content for your records. Stories disappear after 24 hours, and even permanent posts could theoretically be deleted later.
Rating the Influencer
When you approve a settlement, you'll rate the influencer. This helps other brands and helps influencers build their reputation.
| Rating | Use This When... |
|---|---|
| 5 Stars | They exceeded expectations. Would happily work with again. |
| 4 Stars | Solid work, met all requirements, good experience. |
| 3 Stars | Got the basics done, but there were some issues. |
| 2 Stars | Significant problems. Wouldn't work with again. |
| 1 Star | Major issues. Consider whether a dispute is warranted. |
Be fair but honest. Ratings help the whole ecosystem work better.
What If There's a Problem?
If something's wrong and you don't want to approve settlement, don't click approve. Here's what to do instead:
Common Issues
| Problem | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Not all content was delivered | Email support at info@eztalent.app. We'll help resolve it. |
| Content wasn't posted as agreed | Ask the influencer to post. If they refuse, contact support. |
| Missing required elements | Email support at info@eztalent.app to coordinate with the influencer. |
| Content was deleted too soon | Document what happened and contact support. |
How to Raise a Dispute
- Don't approve the settlement
- Email info@eztalent.app with:
- Your campaign ID
- What the issue is
- Any evidence (screenshots, messages, etc.)
- We'll investigate and get back to you
- Both parties get a chance to explain
- We make a decision and implement it
Possible Dispute Outcomes
- Full payout to influencer - If they did the work as agreed
- Partial payout - If some but not all deliverables were completed
- Full refund to you - If there was a significant breach
- Split decision - If both parties share some responsibility
If you think there might be a dispute, keep records. Screenshot the content (or lack thereof), save all messages, note any deadlines missed. The more documentation you have, the faster we can resolve it.
After Settlement is Complete
Once the settlement is fully processed:
- The campaign moves to your history (you can still view it)
- Analytics remain available - keep tracking performance
- You'll get a receipt in your Billing section
- Consider the influencer for future campaigns!
Questions?
If you're unsure about approving a settlement or have questions about the process, email us at info@eztalent.app.