One of the first things to look for in a modeling contract is the length of your commitment. Some agencies might require a three-year, or even a seven-year, contract. Needless to say, if you become unhappy with how the agency represents you, you're going to remain unhappy for years to come. And breaking a years-long contract might be more complicated and expensive than it's worth, especially if you or your child are only pursuing the business part-time. A contract that is only one to two years in length might be preferable, especially if you are just starting out.
訂立經紀合約之首務即是要知悉契約期間。有些經紀合約一簽就是三年，有的甚至高達七年。更不說，你對代表的經紀公司已有不悅，因契約期間之故，你還要繼續忍受下去。要違反未到期的經紀合約，會更趨複雜，亦可能耗費過鉅，特別是你或你的小孩僅是兼職藝人。一至二年的經紀合約係最為妥適，特別是對剛出道的藝人。
In addition to the term of the contract, you need to clearly understand when and under what circumstances you or the agent can terminate the relationship. Many agencies include a clause that allows either party to end the commitment after, for example, four months to a year, if either party is not satisfied with the number of bookings or amount of earnings. If the contract you are offered does not include such a clause, you can try to negotiate this point. The agency would not want to sign you if it did not believe it could make money from you. Before you sign the contract, use the leverage you have to work out better terms.
除了契約條款外，你必須很清楚地了解何時及在何種情況下你或者你的經紀人能終止合約。許多經紀人會在契約中納入契約任何一方可終止系爭契約之條款，例如在訂約後4個月或1年不等之期間，契約之任一方未得到預期之報酬或演出機會下賦予契約終止權，假如你的契約未有上述所謂的逃脫條款，你可就此點嘗試與對方協商。同時如果經紀人認為無法從你本人獲利，將不會與你訂立經紀合約。在訂約前，善用猶較條款更佳之槓桿方是。
