When I first started freelancing, one thing I knew for sure was the importance of having a contract. I drafted one, had a few people (including a lawyer) look over it, and over the years I have rewrote it and added to it (I posted it way back in February). Whenever I get a new client, I will draft a proposal, and once that’s accepted, send over a contract. Most of the time this takes place online, as I’m dealing with people all over the world. Last week I went over a contract with someone in person, and kind of surprised myself.
I didn’t get the urge to nix it, but I did get kind of uncomfortable explaining what everything meant. This is pretty natural as many clients get uncomfortable at the sight of a contract. However, it was up to me as the freelancer to make them feel more comfortable with it. To be fair to myself, it was only in two places I felt this- during the “ending the contract” section and the “breach of contract” section. Most people don’t like being told right off the bad that you don’t trust them, which is how a lot of people take contracts. However, you need to be confident in your contract.
When you’re going over a contract, make sure to be clear that while you don’t foresee some of the things happening, they are there as standard sections of the contract, and as fail safes. The breach of contract and ending the contract sections are standard in contracts I’ve seen, and I made that clear. The other sections are there so both parties know what to expect and what is expected of them. They are there to make the project go smoothly. Tell your clients that. My contract isn’t lopsided. That is, it’s not just a bunch of statement about the client and what is expected of him/her; there are statements about what is expected of me as well. As long as you make everything clear, there should be no problems. When you’re done going over the contract, as the client if he/she has any questions. Clarify the best you can. I also try to send a copy in advance so the client has some time to look it over and bring it to a lawyer.
In the end the client had no problem with the contract, and she understood that it was needed- her discomfort was in my head. And that is probably the case with most people/in most cases. So be confident in your contract, and be clear in explaining it. You know it’s there to protect both you and the client. And if a client isn’t willing to sign a contract, they aren’t worth the present and potential trouble.
Tags: clients, contract, documents, people, relationships, tips | Posted in Advice, Lessons, Stories |
