Feb 05 2009
Is a Freelance Writer’s Contract Necessary?
Yesterday, I wrote about how anxious I am that there is no contract drawn out for the three sample articles the government organisation is requesting. But the question is - Is it really necessary? Do you need a freelance writer’s contract? I feel that it all depends on a few factors.
1) Is it a large or small assignment?
If I have been assigned to do 100 or more 500-word articles over a year, then a contract should be draw up to avoid any disputes later on. If the task is to produce one-off one 500-word article, then a freelance writer’s contract is not necessary. I would not bother with it.
2) Do you trust the individual, company or organisation?
As for me, since the freelance writing job that I’m getting this time around involves a government organisation, I’m not too worried about the fact that they might not be a scam and not pay me after the completion of the assignment. If it is an unknown individual or company you are working for, then a freelance writer’s contract may be an important thing to draw up between the both of you.
3) What are you Comfortable with?
It is also a matter of your gut feeling. Do you feel comfortable taking the freelance writing job without a formal agreement? If you are not comfortable, maybe you could suggest to your client that you’d like a contract drawn up. You may want to suggest a sample freelance writer’s contract if they don’t have one. To me, if the company I work for initiates signing a contract, I would definitely do so after reviewing the terms and conditions in it. It benefits both parties to have a contract, if a dispute arises.
