As a freelancer, you must have a contract with your clients to protect your rights and provide security for the clients requesting your service. It also helps build trust in your brand and improve their experience in working with you. It also makes your business look legitimate, especially with the government when you file your taxes and during dispute cases, if there is any.
If you haven’t used contracts before in your freelance work or you want to revise your current agreement, here are the 10 things you need to include:
Work description and services rendered – This part should list down the project scope of the project, where it will be used, how long you propose it will be worked for, and what services will be done for the project.
Payment terms – For this section, you will need to list your rates and how the client can pay for their project. Be very clear whether you will charge for every hour you worked on the project or have a flat rate ready once you deliver the final product. This section must also list the dates when the client will pay for your services and how they can pay you.
Copyrights – This section will determine who will own the final product once the project is completed. Usually, freelancers are the ones who own the final product until the client pays for it. When payment is made, you cannot sell or reuse the work for others.
Termination terms – This section should list down points regarding compensation to you, the freelancer, if the client suddenly cancels the project halfway through and how both parties should discuss the termination.
Competitive engagements – This section is where you will state that you agree not to work for any other company that is working in the same industry as your current client. If you agree to the terms of the client, you will not be allowed to reveal any information about your clients to anyone outside your client’s company.
Confidentiality clauses – This section will discuss the nature of your relationship with the client. If your client is high-profile and will share sensitive information for you to finish their project, this section will indicate your agreement to keep their details private.
Deadlines and revision guidelines – Every project may end up being revised constantly to achieve the goal your client wishes to achieve. Under this section, you will list down how many revisions a client can request from you and when they should expect the final project. You can also include in this section the rate you will charge per revision.
Indemnity clause – There are cases when something goes wrong during a project, and this clause will indicate who will take responsibility for certain situations and how reimbursement should be made.
Additional clauses – This section should discuss any extra points you want to cover for the contract, such as legal disclaimers and disputes.
Signatures – This section should have a space where the client and the freelancer should sign. This section will bind the project agreements and enable the freelancer to start working once the client signs the document.
Like any other profession, freelancers will need to formalize each project they make for their clients with a contract that will protect all parties. It will also serve as an assurance that you will do what you promised, and the client will respect the terms you agreed upon before they can receive your work.
So, don’t hesitate to present a contract to any potential clients first to reduce any misunderstandings and risks and improve your relationship with your clients.
Don’t forget to protect yourself.
Looking at starting your freelancing journey? Check out these articles to help you kickstart it: Match Your Personality With The Type Of Freelancing Work Creating A Name For Yourself In The Freelancing World Receiving Money For Your Freelancing Work
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