Get paid to write a book

ALWAYS SEND THE CLIENT YOUR WRITING SERVICES AGREEMENT, as soon as you accept the brief. Yes, it’s in caps, and I’m shouting, and the reason is this: all the hassles you’re likely to encounter during your copywriting career can be countered with an effective agreement, signed by the client, BEFORE you start work. Whenever I accept a brief, and omit this vital step, something goes wrong. So do it. Always. No exceptions.

When you’re working as a sub-contractor with an agency, whether the agency is for advertising, Public Relations, or multimedia services, the agency will usually have its own agreement that you’ll be asked to sign. Most agency agreements are straightforward. Sometimes they’re not. Strike out anything in the agency agreement you don’t agree with, initial your strikeouts, sign the agreement and send it back.

 

Here’s the Writing Services Agreement I use. It’s not fancy, but it does the job. Feel free to use it, or parts of it, to create your own agreement.

SAMPLE WRITING SERVICES AGREEMENT

Agreement for Writing Services

REF: XXXX

DATE:

Client:

Project:

Fee:

Advance retainer:

Balance due on completion:

Notes:

Your signature below authorizes me to write copy for the project above, for the fee stated. (You can return the agreement via postal mail, fax, or e-mail.)

Two revisions are included if requested within five days of your receipt of copy, and are not based on a change in the assignment brief made after copy is submitted. Balance of payment is due on receipt of the invoice.

You understand that the assignment is work done for hire, which gives you the copyright. You release me from any responsibility for legal or regulatory problems that may arise from the use of any copy I write for you.

Payment options:

 Check, Direct Deposit

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