Why You Need A Contract & What To Include In It

So you have a client that you're doing work for and then suddenly you run into some issues. Maybe they want you to do more than what you both agreed on. Or they haven't been very responsive which causes you to spend more time than you wanted on their project. Or worse, they run off and do not pay you for the work did!

Of course, you should do something about it. But there's one big problem: you didn't have a contract!

And I know what you’re thinking, why would I even need a contract?

If the scenario above wasn't enough to convince you, you need a contract because...

1. It sets clear standards and boundaries between you and your client

2. It gives you legal protection in case you run into issues

3. It makes you look more professional and lets your client know that you are serious

Convinced now? Great! So now you're writing your contract, but you don't know where to start? Here are some important things you should have in all your contracts:

1. Project Scope

   List out what exactly you're doing for your client. Make sure you are clear and detailed so that there is never any ambiguity.

2. Duration

   It's important to lay out how long your project will take. You don't want to be stuck working on a project for 2 months that should have taken two weeks. Another thing you could do if applicable is implement revision limits to keep you within your projected timeline.

3. Client Expectations

   So you know what you're going to do, but what about what your client should be doing? How long should they take to get back to you? Do they have to provide any external materials? These are all important things to consider!

4. Payment Details & Agreement

   Of course, you need details about how much you’re charging and how it's being paid for. A helpful thing to add, if applicable, is a payment plan that your client can follow.

Bonus Elements

1. Ownership & Usage Rights

   Depending on what type of work you're doing, if you're sending out deliverables, it's important to have a breakdown of who owns the work once it's complete and who and how can it uses it. If you want to use the work to display on your portfolio and social media, make sure to include that in your contract!

2. Ways of Communication

   Having a set way for communication with your client allows you to set those boundaries you need. There's nothing worse than getting text messages or dm at 12AM from a client asking about something for their project. A way to stay professional is to communicate via email or collaboration platforms like Trello, Asana, and Slack.

3. Late Payment/Fees

   Something that helps add priority to the project having late fees set in place. This not only adds to your professionalism but also lets know clients know that there are penalties when expectations are not met. Nobody wants to pay more than they have to!