Talkadot Talent Agreement
LAST UPDATED: March 10, 2026
Introduction
By agreeing to a Booking Confirmation that incorporates these terms, or by offering your services on the Talkadot Platform... If you do not agree, do not offer your services or accept any engagements through the Talkadot Platform.
PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS, FINANCIAL LIABILITIES, AND PLATFORM RIGHTS. BY AGREEING TO A BOOKING CONFIRMATION THAT INCORPORATES THESE TERMS, OR BY OFFERING YOUR SERVICES ON THE TALKADOT PLATFORM, YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE LEGALLY BOUND BY THIS TALENT AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, DO NOT OFFER YOUR SERVICES OR ACCEPT ANY ENGAGEMENTS THROUGH THE TALKADOT PLATFORM.
1.Parties & Applicability
This Talkadot Talent Agreement (the “Agreement”) sets forth the terms and conditions that govern the relationship between Talkadot Corp (“Talkadot”) and any professional presenter (“Talent”) who uses the Talkadot Platform (the “Platform”) to offer their services for event bookings.
The Talent is an independent contractor, and this Agreement does not create an employer-employee relationship, partnership, joint venture, or agency. For purposes of this Agreement, “Client” means the individual or entity booking the Talent for a specific event.
2. Role of the Platform and Scope of Services
2.1 Platform Services. Talkadot provides an online platform that enables Talent to create profiles, showcase their work, and connect with potential Clients. The platform provides tools to facilitate communication, contract negotiation, and secure payment processing for event bookings.
2.2 Talkadot's Role and Limitations. Talkadot acts as a neutral venue and technology provider. While Talkadot is not a party to the actual service contract between the Talent and the Client, the Platform facilitates the formation of a direct "Engagement Agreement" between the parties (as defined in Section 4). Talkadot does not act as the Talent’s exclusive agent, manager, or representative. Except for the limited payment collection authority granted in Section 3, Talkadot does not act as an agent for the Talent. Talkadot does not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of the services provided by the Talent or the engagements offered by the Client. All agreements for engagements are made solely between the Talent and the Client.
2.3 Engagement Categories. Engagements facilitated through the Platform (each, an "Engagement") are classified as follows:
(a) Platform-Sourced Engagement. An Engagement where the initial discovery or introduction of the Talent to the Client was facilitated through the Talkadot platform, including but not limited to speaker search, SEO-driven profile discovery, curated recommendations, or other platform-driven introductions. Platform-Sourced Engagements are subject to the Platform Discovery Fee (Section 3.3).
(b) Platform-Processed Engagement. An Engagement where the Client relationship was not originated through the Talkadot platform, but the Talent elects to use Talkadot's tools for contracting, invoicing, payment collection, or other administrative functions. Platform-Processed Engagements are subject to the Platform Service Fee (Section 3.4).
An Engagement is defined as the sum of the initial agreement as detailed in the Booking Confirmation, plus any and all subsequent modifications, addendums, or change orders for additional services processed through the Platform. All fees associated with the entirety of the Engagement are subject to the applicable Platform Fee as defined in Section 3.
Where the origin of a Client relationship is disputed, Talkadot's system records shall serve as presumptive evidence of the category. The Talent may dispute a categorization within fourteen (14) days of receiving notice of the categorization by providing documentation demonstrating a pre-existing relationship with the Client.
2.4 Promotional Use. Talkadot may use the Talent’s name, photo, bio, and other public profile information for marketing and promotional purposes related to the platform, unless the Talent requests otherwise in writing.
2.5 Material Changes. The services to be provided by the Talent are limited to those explicitly defined in the final Booking Confirmation. Any request by the Client for material changes to the scope of services -- including but not limited to additional presentations, workshops, Q&A sessions, extended duration, significant changes in topic, or any other services requested by the Client after the initial booking is confirmed must be submitted as a change order through the Talkadot platform. Such changes may be subject to additional fees and must be formalized in a written addendum to the Booking Confirmation before becoming effective.
2.6 Record of Introduction and Communication. Talkadot maintains records of all introductions and communications facilitated through the Platform. For any engagement that originates through a Talkadot-facilitated introduction, the Talent agrees to conduct initial communications regarding the scope, fees, and logistics of the potential engagement through channels where Talkadot can maintain a record of the introduction and its outcome. Talent may use any communication channel for engagements with Clients where the Talent can demonstrate a relationship that predates the Talkadot introduction.
Any modifications, addendums, or additional services related to a Platform-Sourced Engagement must be communicated to Talkadot and are subject to the applicable Platform Fee per Section 2.3.
Talkadot's records of introductions and communications shall serve as evidence in determining whether an engagement is Platform-Sourced or Platform-Processed under Section 2.3.
3. Appointment of Limited Payment Collection Agent and Payment Handling
3.1 Appointment of Limited Agent. Talent hereby appoints Talkadot as Talent’s limited payment collection agent solely for the purpose of accepting funds from Clients on Talent's behalf. Talent agrees that payment made by a Client to Talkadot shall be considered the same as a payment made directly to Talent, and Talent’s obligation to provide the Services is triggered upon Talkadot’s receipt of such funds.
3.2 Platform Status; No General Agency. Except for the limited payment collection authority granted in Section 3.1, Talkadot is a platform and not a general agent, booking agent, or representative of the Talent. Talkadot does not have the power to bind the Talent or manage the Talent’s professional affairs.
3.3 Platform Fee. The following fees apply to Engagements facilitated through the Platform:
(a) Platform Discovery Fee. The Platform Discovery Fee for Platform-Sourced Engagements (Section 2.3(a)) is equal to 20% of the total engagement fee for Talent on a Paid Plan at the Pro tier or higher, and 30% for Talent on a Free or Essentials Plan.
(b) Platform Service Fee. The Platform Service Fee for Platform-Processed Engagements (Section 2.3(b)) is equal to 8% of the total engagement fee. The Platform Service Fee covers Talkadot's provision of its administrative and technology infrastructure, including contracting tools, invoicing, payment collection, and related platform services. Talkadot may adjust the Platform Service Fee from time to time; any changes will be communicated in advance and will not apply to engagements already in progress.
The applicable fee under (a) or (b) is referred to herein as the "Platform Fee."
3.4 Deposit & Payment Flow.
- 3.4.1. Initial Payment: Consists of 50% of the total engagement fee (the “Deposit”), plus the full Travel Stipend (if applicable). This is non-refundable except as provided in this Agreement.
- 3.4.2. Remittance: Upon receipt of the Initial Payment, Talkadot shall deduct its Platform Fee (calculated on the full engagement fee only, and not including the Travel Stipend) and remit the remainder plus the Travel Stipend to the Talent within 5-7 business days. Client’s obligation to pay Talent is legally extinguished upon Talkadot’s receipt of these funds.
- 3.4.3. Final Payment: The remaining 50% is due from the Client 14 days before the event. Talkadot will remit this within 5-7 business days following the event date.
- 3.4.4. Late Payments and Collection: Late payments by Clients will delay Talent payouts accordingly. Talkadot is not liable for unpaid Client fees but will use commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate collection. The Talent agrees to cooperate in such efforts.
3.5 Off-Platform Transactions. No Platform Discovery Fee or Platform Service Fee is owed to Talkadot for engagements where (a) the Client relationship was not originated through the Talkadot platform, (b) the engagement is contracted and paid for entirely outside the Talkadot platform, and (c) no Talkadot platform features were used to facilitate the introduction between Talent and Client. For the avoidance of doubt, Talkadot's audience feedback and lead capture tools do not, by themselves, constitute facilitation of a Client introduction.
3.6 Payment Processing Costs. For engagement payments where no Platform Fee is deducted (e.g., the final installment of a multi-payment engagement), third-party payment processing costs incurred in the collection and disbursement of engagement fees are passed through to the Talent at cost and deducted from the Talent's payout. Talkadot does not mark up payment processing costs.
4.1 The Engagement Agreement. When a Talent accepts a Booking, Talent enters into a legally binding direct contract with the Client (the "Engagement Agreement"), Exhibit A. Talkadot is not a party to the Engagement Agreement. The terms of the Engagement Agreement consist of the "Default Engagement Rider", as modified by any "Supplemental Engagement Terms" specified in the Proposal "Override Section."
4.2 Performance Responsibility. Talent is solely responsible for fulfilling the obligations of the Engagement Agreement. Talkadot shall have no liability for the Talent's conduct, quality of service, or failure to perform.
5. Media, Recording and Permissions
4.3 Marketplace Role. Talkadot operates as a technology marketplace that provides tools and infrastructure enabling Clients to discover and connect with Talent. Talkadot does not act as a talent agency, booking agent, or representative of the Talent. Talkadot does not procure, solicit, offer, or promise employment or engagements on behalf of any Talent. All decisions regarding engagement acceptance, pricing, availability, and terms are made solely by the Talent. The Platform Discovery Fee and Platform Service Fee are fees for access to and use of the Platform's technology and infrastructure, not compensation for procurement of employment.
5.1 Content Ownership. Talent retains full ownership of their presentation content and all intellectual property rights therein.
5.2 Recording Rights. The Client must obtain prior written permission from the Talent to record, broadcast, live stream, or otherwise distribute the presentation. Any requests for such rights, and the negotiation of any associated fees, must be facilitated through the Talkadot platform.
6. Confidentiality
In the course of an engagement, both the Talent and the Client may be exposed to non-public, proprietary, or confidential information belonging to the other party ("Confidential Information"). Each party agrees to hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence and not to disclose such information to any third party or use it for any purpose other than the performance of the engagement, both during and after the term of this Agreement. This obligation does not apply to information that is (a) publicly known, (b) already in the receiving party's possession prior to disclosure, or (c) independently developed without use of the Confidential Information.
7. Non-Contravention and Non-Circumvention
7.1. Disclosure of Existing Relationships. Talent must disclose existing relationships with bureaus or other organizations that broker event bookings and the terms of such relationships (including without limitation whether such relationships involve exclusivity), and any other existing relationships with which this agreement may contravene. Talkadot will determine in its sole discretion whether to pursue certain engagements based on such existing relationships. Talent shall be wholly responsible for any losses, liabilities, claims or damages that may arise from failure to disclose any such existing relationships to Talkadot, and shall indemnify Talkadot from any such losses, liabilities, claims or damages.
7.2. Non-Circumvention. Talent shall not enter into any transaction with any Client from a Platform-Sourced Engagement (Section 2.3(a)) outside of the Platform, or take any action designed to avoid or reduce the Platform Discovery Fee owed to Talkadot for such engagement. This provision applies only to Platform-Sourced Engagements and does not restrict the Talent's right to conduct business with Clients from Platform-Processed Engagements or off-platform relationships through any channel of their choosing.
4. Direct Contract with Client
7.3. Conversion Fee for Breach. Any breach by the Talent of the non-circumvention provision in Section 7.2 shall result in a Conversion Fee equal to the Platform Discovery Fee that would have been owed under Section 3.3 had the engagement been properly processed through the Platform, plus Talkadot's reasonable administrative costs associated with investigating and addressing the breach. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
7.4. Commissions for Other Representatives. Talkadot respects existing representation agreements. Talent is responsible for providing Talkadot with accurate commission and payout instructions for their designated bureau(s) and / or manager(s). Talkadot will facilitate payment of these commissions from the total engagement fee, but the Talkadot Platform Fee and any applicable Conversion Fee shall be calculated based on the total engagement fee before any such commissions are deducted.
8. Talent Conduct & Professionalism
8.1. The Talent must maintain professionalism at all Talkadot-booked engagements.
8.2 Any professionalism concerns will be reviewed, and the Talent will have an opportunity to provide context before any final decision regarding their standing on the platform. Talent will indemnify Talkadot for any losses, liabilities, claims or damages resulting from Talent’s conduct, performance, or breaches of any contract between Talent and Talkadot, and will bear full loss of any speaking fees resulting therefrom such that Talkadot shall retain its full Talkadot Platform Fee.
9. Talent Obligations & Indemnification
9.1. General Obligations. The Talent must provide accurate availability, respond promptly to booking inquiries, and honor all commitments for accepted engagements made through the Talkadot platform. If Talent’s availability changes for any reason, Talent must notify Talkadot as soon as possible.
9.2. Cancellation by Talent. In the event that a confirmed booking must be canceled by the Talent for any reason other than a documented Force Majeure event, Talkadot will first use commercially reasonable efforts to reschedule the engagement with the Client. If rescheduling is not possible or if the Client does not accept a proposed replacement Talent, the Talent shall be liable for and must refund all payments received for that engagement, including the initial deposit payout and any travel stipend. Furthermore, Talent shall indemnify Talkadot for any direct losses or amounts claimed by the Client as a result of the cancellation.
9.3. Failure to Appear. A failure by the Talent to appear at a scheduled engagement without prior notice (a “No-Show”) is a material breach of this Agreement. In the event of a No-Show, Talent must immediately refund all payments received for the engagement and will be subject to immediate and permanent removal from the Talkadot platform. Talkadot also reserves the right to hold Talent liable for any damages claimed by the Client as a result of the No-Show.
9.4. Content Warranties. The Talent represents and warrants that: (a) all content provided in their presentation is their own original work or that they have secured all necessary licenses and permissions for its use; (b) their presentation does not and will not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, or patents; and (c) their content is not defamatory, libelous, obscene, or otherwise unlawful. The Talent agrees to indemnify and hold Talkadot and the Client harmless from any and all claims, damages, or liabilities arising from a breach of these warranties.
10. Insurance and Responsibility
Talkadot acts as a platform to connect Clients and Talent. As is standard practice for professional events and independent contractors, each party is responsible for maintaining its own appropriate insurance coverage.
Talkadot does not provide insurance coverage for any engagement. We strongly recommend that Clients maintain adequate event liability insurance for their events and that Talent maintain professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance for their services.
11. Notices, Assignment, and Agreement Terms
11.1 Notices must be sent via email with confirmation of receipt or registered mail.
11.2 Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party.
11.3 Modifications or waivers of any terms of a specific, executed Booking Confirmation must be in writing and signed by both the Client and the Talent.
12. Travel Policy and Expenses
12.1 Local Engagements. For any engagement requiring travel of 150 miles or less from the Talent's primary residence, the engagement fee is considered all-inclusive of travel costs. Any pre-approved expenses, such as an overnight hotel stay for an early start time, must be explicitly outlined and agreed upon in the final Booking Confirmation.
12.2 Long-Distance Travel. For any engagement requiring travel over 150 miles from the Talent’s primary residence, the Client is responsible for covering the Talent's standard travel expenses. This obligation will be satisfied by one of the following methods, as specified in the final Booking Confirmation:
12.2.1 Travel Stipend: A standard travel stipend of $1,500 will be added to the total booking fee to cover the Talent's flights, hotel, and ground transportation. The Talent is responsible for booking their own travel arrangements when a stipend is provided.
12.2.2 Direct Booking by Client: The Client will directly book and pay for the Talent's reasonable, pre-approved flights and hotel accommodations.
The specific arrangement chosen for the engagement must be detailed in the final Booking Confirmation.
12.3 International Travel. Additional travel costs (visas, extended stays, etc.) must be agreed upon in writing and detailed in the Booking Confirmation before the event.
13 Event Cancellation
13.1 If an event is canceled by the Client, Talkadot will first attempt to reschedule within 12 months. If rescheduling is not possible, the following terms apply:
13.1.1. If Client cancels this Agreement more than sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled Event Date, the Initial Payment is forfeited by the Client. Talkadot shall retain its Platform Fee from the 50% fee deposit portion of the Initial Payment. The remainder of the fee deposit, plus the full Travel Stipend, will then be remitted to the Talent.
13.1.2. If Client cancels this Agreement sixty (60) days or less prior to the scheduled Event Date, the Final Payment (consisting of the remaining 50% of the engagement fee) becomes immediately due and payable by the Client. Upon receipt, Talkadot shall remit the full Final Payment to the Talent. For the avoidance of doubt, the Initial Payment is also forfeited and will be retained by the Talent and Talkadot as set forth in Section 3.3.2.
13.2 Force Majeure. No party shall be liable for any failure to perform its obligations hereunder where such failure results from any cause beyond such party’s reasonable control, including but not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, war, or labor disputes (each, a “Force Majeure Event”). In the event of a Force Majeure Event, Talkadot will use commercially reasonable efforts to reschedule the engagement with the Talent and Client. If rescheduling is not feasible, Client’s obligation to pay the Final Payment shall be waived. However, the Initial Payment shall be deemed non-refundable to compensate Talkadot for its Platform Fee and the Talent for its lost booking opportunity and administrative costs.
14. Terms and Termination
14.1 This Agreement begins when you first accept it and remains in full force and effect while you participate on the Talkadot platform as a Talent.
14.2 Termination of Participation as Talent.
14.2.1 By You. You may terminate this Agreement and your participation as a Talent on the platform at any time by providing written notice to Talkadot (e.g., via email) and ceasing to offer your services for booking on the platform.
14.2.2 By Talkadot. Talkadot may, in its sole discretion, terminate this Agreement and your ability to be booked as a Talent at any time, for any reason, with or without notice.
14.3 Termination of this Agreement does not automatically terminate your general Talkadot account or your access to other free tools on the Site, which continue to be governed by the main website Terms of Service.
14.4 Effect of Termination on Existing Engagements. Termination of this Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Talent, the Client, or Talkadot with respect to any engagements that have been confirmed through the platform prior to termination. The terms of this Agreement, as they apply to any such confirmed engagement, shall remain in full force and effect until all obligations related to that engagement have been completely fulfilled.
14.5 Post-Termination Obligations. Upon termination of this Agreement, Talent remains obligated to pay the Platform Discovery Fee for any engagement with a Client first introduced to the Talent via a Platform-Sourced Engagement (Section 2.3(a)), where such introduction was documented in Talkadot's system records within twelve (12) months prior to termination, regardless of when the engagement is actually booked or performed. This obligation applies to all engagements with such Client during the tail period, not solely the initial Platform-Sourced Engagement.
15. Dispute Resoluition and Governing Law
15.1 Good Faith Negotiation. In the event of a dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve the matter through good-faith negotiation. A party initiating a dispute shall provide the other party with written notice (the “Dispute Notice”) describing in reasonable detail the nature of the dispute. Following receipt of the Dispute Notice, the parties shall engage in consultation and negotiation between themselves to find a resolution. This mandatory negotiation period shall last for a period of forty-five (45) days from the date of receipt of the Dispute Notice, unless extended by mutual written agreement.
15.2 Court Proceedings. If the dispute cannot be resolved through the informal negotiation process described in Section 15.1, either party shall have the right to file a suit in a court of competent jurisdiction.
15.3 Class Action Waiver. The parties agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.
15.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
15.5 Attorney's Fees. In any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney's fees and costs from the non-prevailing party.
16. Indemnification.
Talent agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Talkadot and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) Talent’s breach of any term of this Agreement; (b) Talent’s provision of services to a Client; or (c) any claim that Talent's content or performance infringes upon the rights of a third party.
17. Taxes.
The Talent is an independent contractor and is solely responsible for determining and fulfilling all of their tax obligations, including but not limited to the payment of income, self-employment, and other applicable taxes on any compensation received through the platform. Talkadot will not withhold any taxes from payments made to the Talent. As a payment settlement entity, Talkadot will issue any tax forms required by law, such as the IRS Form 1099-K, to the Talent and the relevant tax authorities based on the information provided by the Talent.
18. Entire Agreement and Modifications.
18.1. This Agreement, together with the main Talkadot Terms of Service and any applicable Booking Confirmation, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or written.
18.2. Modification of a Booking Confirmation. Any changes or waivers to the terms of a specific, executed Booking Confirmation must be made in writing through the Platform and be agreed to by both the Client and the Talent to be effective.
19. Modification of this Agreement. Talkadot reserves the right to modify the terms of this Agreement at any time. We will provide notice of any material changes by posting the updated Agreement on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of the document. Your continued use of the Platform to offer or book services after such changes become effective constitutes your binding acceptance of the revised Agreement for all future engagements.
20. Survival. The provisions of Sections 6 (Confidentiality), 7 (Non-Contravention and Non-Circumvention), 9 (Talent Obligations & Indemnification), 15 (Dispute Resolution), and 16 (Indemnification) shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
Exhibit A: Default Engagement Rider
A. Purpose. This Exhibit A constitutes the "Default Engagement Rider" referenced in Section 4.1 of the Talent Agreement and Section 4.1 of the Client Agreement. These terms are automatically incorporated into the Engagement Agreement between the Talent and the Client unless explicitly modified by the "Supplemental Engagement Terms" in the Proposal.
B. Punctuality. * Physical Events: The Talent shall arrive at the event venue at least sixty (60) minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
- Virtual Events: The Talent shall log in to the designated virtual platform at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled start time for a final audio/visual check.
C. Planning & Tech-Check. If requested by the Client, the Talent shall participate in one (1) pre-event planning or tech-check call, lasting between thirty (30) and forty-five (45) minutes, at a time mutually agreed upon by the parties.
D. Materials. If requested by the Client, the Talent shall provide digital handouts, slide decks (in the Talent's preferred format), or supplemental materials to the Client no later than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the scheduled start of the event.
E. Performance Standards. The Talent shall perform the services in a professional manner consistent with industry standards and the specific description provided in the Talent’s Talkadot profile.