Which payment models are best to use with brand ambassadors (i.e. influencers with whom you work on a long-term basis)?

For long-term brand ambassador relationships, content retainers (fixed fees) are excellent because they provide consistent income for the ambassador and predictable content output for the brand, fostering stability and commitment. An affiliate performance model also works well as it incentivizes the ambassador to drive sales or leads over time, aligning their success directly with the brand's. Pay-per-post is less ideal for long-term partnerships as it's transactional and doesn't build sustained loyalty or consistent effort. Product gifting/seeding can be part of a larger compensation package but is usually insufficient as a standalone payment model for dedicated, long-term brand ambassadorships.