Do's and Don'ts for Freelancers and Contracts

Article inspired by Robert Brown, of Smashing Magazine

Freelance Contracts: Do’s And Don’ts

Freelancers do not usually have an attorney on retainer for protecting their interests with regard to everyday contracts. That is why it is important to customize and provide a fool proof, easy to read and understand contract. One that provides flexibility and protection for a job well done.Freelance Contracts: Dos And Donts

Normal information would be Who, What, When, Where, and Why.  Lastly and most importantly How.  There are a number of templates online that can assist with how to develop. 

Don’t---Overcomplicate with a huge Contractor Agreement.  This will just scare the client off with lack of desire to decipher.

Do—Make it pretty and clean.  Typo’s, no letterhead, and lack of polish is an early representation to your attention to detail.

Time in Freelance Contracts: Dos And Donts

Provide a time line for expectations. Sometimes a freelancer has to leave time open after a project’s completion to help integrate the product into the client’s existing media stream (Brown, 2009). Freelancers Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t --tell the client they can expect a prototype by end of day and not provide.  This just breaks the trust with your client with what to expect and when.

Do—Explain that with IT or any line of business, Quality is always the most important item.  If you reach a snag and can’t deliver, thoroughly explain why.  Better yet, provide a cushion to work out bugs.

Define the Deliverables.  Freelancer Do’s and Don’ts

Since your contract already has an excellent plan for execution defining the deliverables will be very easy.

Don’t---overpromise pie in the sky.  You have a great idea but if you don’t know if it work 100%, don’t promise it. 

Do—Brainstorm you ideas and do research to find probability.

 Financial Contracts: Dos And Donts

Freelancer Do’s and Don’s

Make sure the client understands that this deposit protects them as well by committing you to the project and keeping you from being sidetracked by other clients. Also include a Cancellation Clause in the financial section of the contract. This isn’t Santa’s less famous brother; it actually protects you, the freelancer, in case your client backs out by stating the financial obligations of both parties should the project terminate before completion.

Don’t—just sign your client’s contract; you need one as well to protect your financials.

Do—have a shorter version of the compensation section of the contract to include with and FAQ.  This may can answer the items in a more relaxed fashion. People are likely to remember it more.

Revisions and Alterations

You can set the pricing for changes requested by the client that go beyond the number specified in the contract, thus preventing the client from abusing their privilege.

Don’t—Complicate the process with legal jargon.

Do—Make it clear where the current obligation stops and the new contract begins

      Further Resources

Here are some further articles and related resources:

• Terms and Conditions for Design Contracts
  An extremely helpful post by Shel Perkins that seeks to inform designers about the terminology and general conditions of contracts.
• Web Design Contracts – The How and Why’s of Contracts
  This is another post full of great information that talks about the reasons why designers need to use contracts.
• What goes into a good web design contract?
  It is a question that every designer should ask themselves at one time or another, and this fabulously informative post from Idea15 answers that question.
• Using freelance graphic design contracts
  An article by David Airey dealing with the whys and hows of using freelance design contracts.
• Business of Design Online Forms
  The Business of Design Online offers a number of useful forms free for download and use.
• Freelance Contracts
  A great contract template which makes it easy for freelancers to fill in their own information.
• Logo Design Contract of Agreement
  This is an actual contract drawn up by Logo Designer, Joni Solis, and is a good example to look at when you start drawing up a contract of your own.
• Work for Hire Agreement
  A form necessary to ensure copyright transfer and protect your creative firm when you outsource work to other freelancers. Guaranteeing that you will retain all rights to the work.
• Freelance Design Contracts & Templates
  A fantastic resource full of free downloadable design contracts and alterable templates for easy customization.
• AIGA Standard Form of Agreement for Design Services
  This agreement allows you to create customized terms and conditions for different types of design engagements.