Creatives find their work challenging because they do not operate in institutions. Employees in institutions or companies can rely on the HR or legal department to draw a contract. Talents operating as freelancers have to deal with clients who almost consider their offer as send grade. Salvation lies in signing the right contracts for creatives. The contract must include specific aspects that protect your talent.
The terms of payment must be clearly indicated. Clients take you on a wild goose chase after completing your assignment and leaving him with his or her desired material. They assume that you have financial commitments to meet, leaving you to send emails and make calls that are never answered. Have a contract that captures date and penalties in case payments are not made.
A non-refundable deposit is recommended when dealing with clients. This should be considered a commitment to reserve the time required to execute the contract and also extract commitment from the client. The fact that it will be non-refundable means that the contract must be thought-through before you are given. It gives you an assurance that the gig will happen. It also teaches clients to respect talents and consider them as strict as they consider others in business.
A good contract should capture appropriate action in case a refund is necessary or payments are made late. This is one of the issues that leave talents at the mercy of clients. You are not a talent lying around waiting for someone to come and appreciate. You have commitments taking up your time and must thus be respected. You should have a right to end the contract just as the client has.
Project postponement or cancellation must be given the attention it deserves. This still flies in the face of clients who think that you can be available anytime they wish. Cancellation in some cases is not considered a disruption to your schedule and cash flow. Include a clause where you can cancel the project without refund or push it to the next available time at the expense of the client.
Insist on copyrighting your work. Most talents or creatives do not regard this as important. The fact that you have been paid is not a reason to have your work mutilated. You have an image to portray and protect. It should be clear and precise what a client intends to do with the work. Anything beyond that must be compensated and have your approval.
There are risks in working as a creative. They could be on your health, body, in the course of travel, preparing the project or natural calamities. Include a clause in the contract that shields you from such risks. You cannot be held responsible for matters that are beyond your control. The terms of resolution must be reasonable and mutually agreed.
A client treats a creative depending on his or her regard of self. Contracts should not be skewed to leave you at the mercy of clients. Work for commensurate compensation and valued treatment of your talent.
The terms of payment must be clearly indicated. Clients take you on a wild goose chase after completing your assignment and leaving him with his or her desired material. They assume that you have financial commitments to meet, leaving you to send emails and make calls that are never answered. Have a contract that captures date and penalties in case payments are not made.
A non-refundable deposit is recommended when dealing with clients. This should be considered a commitment to reserve the time required to execute the contract and also extract commitment from the client. The fact that it will be non-refundable means that the contract must be thought-through before you are given. It gives you an assurance that the gig will happen. It also teaches clients to respect talents and consider them as strict as they consider others in business.
A good contract should capture appropriate action in case a refund is necessary or payments are made late. This is one of the issues that leave talents at the mercy of clients. You are not a talent lying around waiting for someone to come and appreciate. You have commitments taking up your time and must thus be respected. You should have a right to end the contract just as the client has.
Project postponement or cancellation must be given the attention it deserves. This still flies in the face of clients who think that you can be available anytime they wish. Cancellation in some cases is not considered a disruption to your schedule and cash flow. Include a clause where you can cancel the project without refund or push it to the next available time at the expense of the client.
Insist on copyrighting your work. Most talents or creatives do not regard this as important. The fact that you have been paid is not a reason to have your work mutilated. You have an image to portray and protect. It should be clear and precise what a client intends to do with the work. Anything beyond that must be compensated and have your approval.
There are risks in working as a creative. They could be on your health, body, in the course of travel, preparing the project or natural calamities. Include a clause in the contract that shields you from such risks. You cannot be held responsible for matters that are beyond your control. The terms of resolution must be reasonable and mutually agreed.
A client treats a creative depending on his or her regard of self. Contracts should not be skewed to leave you at the mercy of clients. Work for commensurate compensation and valued treatment of your talent.
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