10 Questions to Ask Before Signing With a Guest Instructor

Inviting a guest instructor into your business, academy, or platform can bring fresh insights, expertise, and energy—but it can also introduce serious legal, financial, and reputational risks if you don’t ask the right questions upfront.

Many founders, consultants, and course creators make the mistake of signing with a guest instructor too quickly. They’re excited by the instructor’s profile or audience but overlook critical questions about rights, obligations, payments, content ownership, and liability.

This list of 10 essential questions will help you avoid costly surprises and set the right expectations before signing with a guest instructor.

Who This Is For / Why This List Matters

This guide is for:

• Online course platforms and training academies
• Coaching businesses or consultants hiring guest experts
• Event organizers or content producers
• Legal and HR professionals managing short-term instructional talent

Use this list before finalizing any contract when signing with a guest instructor—especially if it’s their first time working with your team, or if you’re producing co-branded content.

1. What Rights Do You Have to Their Content?

Before signing with a guest instructor, clarify exactly what you’re getting. Is the instructor delivering original content, or are they using reused material from elsewhere?

Why it matters: If you don’t own the license to use, distribute, or record the content, your business may be exposed to copyright claims or legal disputes.

Takeaway: Always ensure the agreement includes a license clause covering how you can use the content (live, recorded, repurposed, etc.). Request a warranty that their material does not infringe any third-party rights.

2. Will the Instructor Be Exclusive to You?

Is the guest instructor allowed to work with competitors at the same time? Can they reuse the same training materials elsewhere?

Why it matters: Non-exclusivity can dilute the value of the collaboration, especially if you’re investing in marketing or building a branded program.

Takeaway: Define whether the instructor is exclusive to your platform for a set period—or limited to a specific region, industry, or client type.

3. Who Owns the Recordings and Deliverables?

Will your company own the session recordings, handouts, slides, or workshop materials produced during the engagement?

Why it matters: Ownership determines whether you can resell, repost, or archive the session. It’s a common source of disputes after guest sessions go live.

Takeaway: Add a clause confirming whether deliverables are work-for-hire or licensed for business use, including editing and future publishing rights.

4. What Happens If the Instructor Cancels?

Do you have a backup plan if the guest instructor cancels last-minute due to illness, travel issues, or other commitments?

Why it matters: Cancellations can harm your reputation, confuse your clients, and leave your schedule in disarray.

Takeaway: Include cancellation terms in the agreement—such as notice periods, refunds, rescheduling rights, or penalties for no-shows.

5. How Will You Handle Confidentiality?

Will the guest instructor have access to your client list, platform, or proprietary content?

Why it matters: Without a confidentiality clause, you risk leaks of sensitive business or client data.

Takeaway: Use a non-disclosure clause or a separate NDA to protect any business-sensitive or client-specific information.

6. What Payment Structure Are You Agreeing To?

Are you paying a flat fee, hourly rate, or commission based on enrollment? What’s the invoicing process?

Why it matters: Vague payment terms lead to misunderstandings, late invoices, or disputes over what was agreed.

Takeaway: Clarify the rate, payment schedule, taxes, invoicing details, and who covers costs (e.g., travel, materials, tech).

7. Are There Any Non-Solicitation or Non-Compete Clauses?

Can the instructor reach out to your clients directly after the session? Are they allowed to pitch their own services?

Why it matters: Instructors sometimes use guest spots to upsell their own offers, diverting your audience away from your brand.

Takeaway: If needed, include a non-solicitation clause preventing the instructor from pitching to your clients for a defined time.

8. What Are the Instructor’s Legal Liabilities?

If the instructor makes inaccurate statements, delivers substandard content, or causes reputational damage, who is responsible?

Why it matters: You may be liable for what happens during sessions on your platform, especially if it harms clients or breaks the law.

Takeaway: Add an indemnity clause requiring the instructor to accept responsibility for their conduct, claims, or breaches.

9. How Will Feedback and Quality Control Be Managed?

Will you be able to preview or approve the session content? Can you collect participant feedback?

Why it matters: Without quality control, your brand may be associated with content that doesn’t meet your standards.

Takeaway: Ask for an outline in advance, reserve editing rights on recordings, and request permission to collect feedback.

10. Is There a Written Agreement?

Verbal agreements, casual emails, or DMs are not enough to protect your business.

Why it matters: In case of a dispute, you’ll need a signed agreement that clearly outlines rights, expectations, payments, and liabilities.

Takeaway: Always use a formal agreement reviewed by a lawyer—especially if the session involves IP, public use, or client interactions.

Mini Case Example: The “Recording Rights” Dispute

A coaching platform hired a well-known guest to run a virtual masterclass. The session was excellent, but when the platform republished the recording in their paid content library, the instructor demanded it be taken down—arguing they never gave permission for long-term use.

The misunderstanding cost the platform dozens of hours of editing, customer complaints, and a partial refund campaign.

Lesson: Always clarify usage rights and duration in writing before signing with a guest instructor.

Quick Checklist Before You Sign With a Guest Instructor

• Do we have clear content rights (live and recorded)?
• Is the instructor exclusive to our event/platform?
• Do we own the session materials and recordings?
• What’s our cancellation or backup plan?
• Is confidentiality addressed?
• Are payment terms written clearly?
• Can they contact our clients directly afterward?
• Are they legally liable for their statements?
• Do we have quality control on their content?
• Is there a signed agreement in place?

Final Thoughts + Call to Action

Signing with a guest instructor should feel like a smart collaboration, not a risky guess. By asking the right questions early, you’ll protect your brand, your clients, and your bottom line.

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