If you are a creative individual who wants to convert your "creative juices" into an earning mechanism then you should educate yourself by understanding the ins and outs of having a business contract. These days, having verbal agreements when engaging into business clients is no longer working as it most often results to disagreements and torn relationships. Why do you need a contract in the first place? A written contract can protect you in a variety of ways. For starters, a written contract can help define the scope of work which includes your deliverables as well as the project timeline.
Second, a contract outlines every detail related to money. Payment disputes are a common issue that creatives often face. Apart from detailing how much you should get for your services, the contract should answer a few key questions, including: whether you are going to receive upfront payment; when you will receive payments; what happens when the project falls through, and whether there will be late charges and reimbursements for expenses.
A written contract will also determine who gets the ownership of the deliverables. For some types of work, the ownership is clear cut. However, for some works like logos or written articles, the client and the service provider should come into an agreement as to who eventually owns the work. As the service provider, you can choose between two options: assign or give ownership to the client, or grant a license to the client while you retain ownership of the final product.
Contracts can also serve as a clear guide for both parties when it comes to effecting changes to a project. Sometimes, clients will request changes to the initially agreed upon concept and it is crucial for contractors to spell out the terms of what counts as additional work and additional charges for the client. Drafting a contract can be confusing - intimidating, even - for a lot of people. If you do not have the time or money to go to an attorney for contract drafting tips, your next best option is to use a business contract template. Using a business agreement template, you can simply add the relevant details related to your project. The important thing is that you have an invaluable tool that clearly provides the essentials of your agreement with a client.
Second, a contract outlines every detail related to money. Payment disputes are a common issue that creatives often face. Apart from detailing how much you should get for your services, the contract should answer a few key questions, including: whether you are going to receive upfront payment; when you will receive payments; what happens when the project falls through, and whether there will be late charges and reimbursements for expenses.
A written contract will also determine who gets the ownership of the deliverables. For some types of work, the ownership is clear cut. However, for some works like logos or written articles, the client and the service provider should come into an agreement as to who eventually owns the work. As the service provider, you can choose between two options: assign or give ownership to the client, or grant a license to the client while you retain ownership of the final product.
Contracts can also serve as a clear guide for both parties when it comes to effecting changes to a project. Sometimes, clients will request changes to the initially agreed upon concept and it is crucial for contractors to spell out the terms of what counts as additional work and additional charges for the client. Drafting a contract can be confusing - intimidating, even - for a lot of people. If you do not have the time or money to go to an attorney for contract drafting tips, your next best option is to use a business contract template. Using a business agreement template, you can simply add the relevant details related to your project. The important thing is that you have an invaluable tool that clearly provides the essentials of your agreement with a client.