Legal Matters
I think I was a little naive dabbling in the freelancing world, and to be honest, still am. A handshake only goes so far and your work, no matter how much time you spent on it or how big the project was, is still valuable and still your work.
Not only will you be able to protect yourself, a contract is a great way to spell out all deliverables with your client. This eliminates any confusion or misinterpretation before you begin working.
So why not invest in your brand and protect yourself in a written contract? It doesn’t have to be fancy—just include the basics (although I did link some resources if you’re willing to spend a few bucks).
Some things you could include in your contract:
All included deliverables
Due dates
Compensation (whether payment upfront is required, or if a X% deposit needs to be made before work begins).
Sharing (where your work goes after you deliver it)
Communication preferences (whether you prefer email, calls, and certain hours)
… and anything else you’d like to be laid out and agreed upon!
For general freelancers (this is a freebie, and also shares some great tips!)
All this being said, I’m no lawyer (you may be on the wrong blog), so take what I say with a grain of salt, from one creative professional to another. Because without a legally binding document, you have no power.
Hopefully you never have to use them, but it’s nice to have a fallback! Because remember, you don’t work for free.
Happy creating! XO Caroline
