What does short-video management include? A checklist before signing

First clarify what management means in this proposal

There is no universal package. Some providers only edit; others include scripts and filming; some also run the account, publish, reply and manage ads. Comparing only a monthly video count is misleading

Ask the provider to separate strategy, production, publishing and optimization

What can a complete service include?

Strategy: goals, audience, account position, competitors and pillars
Planning: topics, interviews, openings, visuals, lines and calls to action
Production: location, equipment, audio, lighting, direction and asset management
Post-production: pacing, captions, sound, color, motion, covers and formats
Operations: titles, descriptions, tags, scheduling, platforms and replies
Optimization: reports, topic reviews, tests and next-month changes

Confirm at least ten items before signing

Monthly quantity, duration and aspect ratios
Filming sessions, hours, locations, travel and overtime
Script ownership and factual responsibility
Talent, voiceover, locations, props, captions and covers
Rough-cut and fine-cut revision rounds
Delivery of source footage, project files and finals
Licensing for music, images, fonts and AI assets
Permission to publish the work as a case
Account, password, ad budget and data access
Cancellation, postponement, reshoots and force majeure

Licensing needs more detail than commercially usable

Contracts should name who obtains licenses, which platforms and periods are covered, and whether paid advertising is included. Platform music libraries can differ by account type, use and territory

AI-generated images, voices or people also require source, likeness and brand-risk checks

Agree on a method, not a guaranteed viral hit

A credible team can commit to process, delivery, testing and reporting, but cannot honestly guarantee views or sales. Distribution, account history, product, price and sales follow-up all affect the result

Define the primary metric—completion, qualified engagement, clicks, messages or inquiries—and review it regularly