Subscribe to RSSWhy You Need a Contract. Or, How Not To Get Screwed.
Time for some ADhelp:
So, you’ve landed some freelance work. Ah, the joy and thrill of it all. Now for the contract exchange…
Wait – you ARE using a contract, aren’t you?
If you aren’t and have relied on the old handshake, giving my word, etc. It’s time you get real pal. Professionals and legit operations use contracts to keep everyone involved protected. I’ve seen it happen time and time before (why, it’s even happened to me) when deals go south and someone wishes they would have had some sort of legal protection involved. Sure it’s not a 100% safety net, but in court it sure helps your case.
I’ve had the misfortune of not having a contract when I was just starting out and too young and trusting to know the difference. I got screwed out of over a thousand dollars in pay for work and soon, got a contract to protect me in the future.
You can find plenty of the standard contractor agreements online at DocStoc, but it is still best to consult with an attorney for a document that will thoroughly protect you and see what other more seasoned people are using as well; to keep them paid and protected.
I cannot express the importance to those new to the industry or those returning to it the importance of having an agreement in place before the real work begins. These agreements outline the parties involved, work to be done, time line for deliverables and payment arrangements in addition to standard termination clauses, non-disclosure, etc.
Sounds like quite a bit to put into one agreement, but all professionals expect them nowadays. You can still consult with a lawyer to make sure your contract is air-tight and you can even find free or reduced rate help from an attorney if you contact the American Bar Association.
So word the wise all you freelancers/contractors/consultants out there.
Get it in writing. In the end, you’ll be glad you did…
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I have an intolerance for stupid people and even more of an intolerance for dumb campaigns. You know the ones - they lack in creativity, didn't delve into strategy and ended up costing the client way too much for far too little. Sometimes I give advice and quite often, I'll share my real life stories that make people laugh and be thankful that they don't lead the absurd life that I do. But my life and all of its absurdities is not something I mind. In fact, it's what keep me loving life and what I do for a living which is a lot. Sometimes you can find me serving as a Marketing/Brand Manager, other times you can find me pulling duties as a Sales and Marketing Consultant, Brand Strategist, Digital Sherpa, Copywriter, Product Developer, Author and Discoverer of Correlations where none seem to be. I plan to retire by 45. (Yes, I've figured a way out.) That might seem like a lofty goal, but having a life where I travel, talk and consult seems pretty darn good to me. 15 years and counting... For ADvice: email me at anne_ellegood@yahoo.com For Complaints: Contact Management.
