Writing without a contract is a good way for a freelancer to get taken advantage of. Many publications and employers will be very clear on their terms and provide their own contract, but other times – particularly when the writing is not paid – the terms are less distinct and the contract nonexistent. In these cases, a freelance writer should provide his or her own contract, and ensure that the employer signs it.

Not sure where to start? Neither was I, until Angela Hoy of Writer’s Weekly ran a blurb about contracts, prompting me to ask a few more questions (and get a few more answers). Read on to discover what I now know about contracts.

Finding a Sample Contract

The first thing you need to do is to find a sample contract to serve as your framework. Performing a Google search for sample freelance contracts will turn up many links to sample contracts. Browse these to find one that comes the closest to suiting your needs.

Personalizing Your Contract Template

The sample contract you select should serve as a template; you still need to tweak it to suit your own needs, but now you have the framework to do it within. Add or delete clauses as needed: Are you selling all rights to the piece, or just first-time publication rights? Do you want a byline on your printed work, whether in part or in whole? Is there a time frame in which you expect to be paid? What is the specific rate at which your pay is determined (i.e. hourly, per word, per project)?

A note about employer-provided contracts: It’s not uncommon that employers attempt to mislead their freelancers. If the employer provides the contract, be sure to read it over carefully. Make sure that the contract says exactly what has already been discussed with you. If you have any questions about the contents of the contract, be sure to bring them up before signing anything. That way, there will be no surprises, and you’ll know exactly what you signed up for when you took the job.

For more tips and musings from a freelance writer, check out Swan’s Blog.