In the recent past, freelance writing has become one of the most resourceful ways of making an extra coin. The writer is under no supervision at all-working as a self-employed person and enjoying the benefits of such an arrangement. As a freelance writer, the more skilled you are, the more likely you are to get more jobs. However, the freelance writing landscape is delicate-you have to learn self-reliance as there is no holiday pay or sick leave if things don’t go as expected. One of the surefire tricks to ensure that you are protected is by signing a contract. Below, the article discusses the essential components of this type of agreement.
Amount and Terms of Payment
Having a regular job means you will be getting paid either weekly or monthly. This changes when you are a freelance writer. For any scope of work, the terms of payment in the contract should be clear. Any fees for extra services, such as uploading or additional editing, should be included within your list. You may want to be paid partially, each time you deliver an agreed amount of work. You can also consider asking for upfront payments, especially if it is your first time working with a client. Alternatively, you create a payment schedule depending on how much you will charge and the duration the job will take. This helps reduce the chances of a client bailing on you once you complete the work.
Type of Work
The kind of work to be accomplished depends on your client. But in this section, the contract should specify what you are going to do for your client. Always learn to include most vital information such as due dates, issues revolving around rewrites, word counts, working hours creating and sourcing images as these are normal bones of contention in this field.
Termination Clause
Always include a termination clause in your contract to avoid unnecessary disputes when the time comes. Specify whether there should be a written notice, duration of notice, and charges for breaching agreements. This is essential for any existing business relationship since it protects you from unscrupulous clients.
Many people find it challenging to write termination clauses for their clients. However, it is not difficult. With the technological advancements we have today, we can find solutions right in front of us. You can look for templates for various types of contracts online to help you as you seek to write a freelance writer contract. Since there are many different templates, you have a chance to choose one that suits your needs and edit it to the requirements of your client and your needs. With this genius invention, writing a contract becomes so much easier.
Rights of Content
Knowing where, how, and when your content is used is an important aspect to consider before and when writing your contract. It is essential to find the tips below to get yourself covered from all sides.
- Know whether your client wants to publish with your name or theirs, so you note it in your contract.
- Liaise with your client if it is okay to use the piece in your account or portfolio and reflect it on your contract.
- Note down the publications under which your client will place your content.
As writers, the client owns the content rightfully, and they will want to publish your work under their name. It will not be in order if you reuse the content elsewhere or sell it. However, you can state that not until the work is done is paid for; you own the client’s rights.
Signature
Highlighting the importance of signatures might look cliche. However, this is a part of the contract that you should not forget. Signing the agreement is what makes the document legal and binding, so do not forget to ask your client to do so. Some freelance writers like to include signatures on sensitive areas such as payment and copyright. If the client does not accept the terms of the contract, you can renegotiate and have them sign when they are okay with the terms.
Freelancers tend to ignore the importance of contracts and may not think of it as a crucial component of their work until it is too late. It is advisable to have a deal for any job for many reasons. The contract not only protects you as a writer but your client as well. Not giving a contract the priority makes you vulnerable to being used by untrustworthy clients resulting in wasted time and money.