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We've all done it. We need a tweak to the website. Our friend (who's better than most if she'd just stay focused) says, "No big deal. I'll help you out. No charge."
Two months later, you're waiting for your new design. You don't want to be pushy and you don't want to hurt her feelings by hiring a "real" designer. But frankly you'd rather pay a professional than wait another week.
Just when you're ready to give up, she drafts a page and it's about 70% of what you want. You meekly ask for corrections.
And another round of anxiety begins. She doesn't respond immediately. Are her feelings hurt? Do you wait till she gets around to fixing your site or move on?
Both the website and the friendship have been declared endangered species.
So you vow: Next time, I'll work with a stranger. And we'll have a written agreement.
You're right.
One of my graphic designer friends agreed to tweak a small job for $100. "Too small for an agreement," he said...until the client claimed he had promised a whole lot more work for the same money.
Now he insists on signed agreements even if he's giving away his time or bartering (bad ideas, but that's another article).
I am not a lawyer and I am not in the business of giving legal advice. You may need to consult a lawyer to craft the words of your agreement, especially for big jobs and big bucks. And an experienced lawyer can will identify contingencies and risks unique to your business.
Based on experience, not legal knowledge, here's where I would begin.
(a) Clarify what you need to get the job done.
As a copywriter, I need answers to every single item on my questionnaire, or I can't start the job. That's how I understand the client's business. When clients delay their answers to me, I will be forced to push back my deadline. Clients need to understand these options before we begin.
(b) Clarify what actions each of you will take.
Once a client said, "Why don't you just look up my competitors on the web? Get an idea of what they're doing."
A nice idea – but time-consuming. So I realized I needed to offer both express (questionnaire only) and full-service (which includes client interviews and research).
(c) Clarify outcomes.
For example: Will you give (or get) an outline of an e-course – or a complete set of five lessons, ready to go? Will your hour of consultation include follow-up email or phone options? Will your copy be delivered as an email attachment or uploaded to a website?
(d) Clarify project delivery dates.
Both parties should come to an agreement before either one picks up a pen. I suggest dates and times, with a mention of time zones. "Sometime on Wednesday" might mean waiting till the clock strikes midnight and the fairy godmother appears, bearing copy along with a couple of magic pumpkins.
(e) Learn from experience.
My copywriting agreement gets longer and longer as I encounter situations I'd ever anticipated.
For example, suppose a client completes a questionnaire. I summarize with a creative brief. Now I've invested some time (not to mention sharing my proprietary questionnaire).
The client calls to say, sheepishly, "I've just decided to overhaul my whole business concept so we're putting the project on hold."
Or, "My cousin's best friend's uncle has agreed to write the copy free."
How much will I be paid for the work to date? Will the cousin's best friend's uncle be allowed access to my ideas and summary? Can I recycle the content (in disguised form) to another site?
No need to stay tuned. Just check the agreement.
And if you're new to buying or selling services, a consultation with an experienced professional can save you considerable amounts of money and misery. You'll get an idea of what can go wrong and how to create a mutually enjoyable relationship.
Just remember nobody can cover every possible scenario. You will always have surprises, whether you're a buyer or a seller.
Some projects get derailed by major disasters, such as hurricanes. But sooner or later I expect to get the "dog ate my questionnaire" story. In fact, since I just adopted a chew-oriented dog, I may plan for this possibility in future agreements.
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is a published author, speaker, business consultant. She helps solo-preneurs take their business off the street and start making money in cyberspace. Download a Fr*e Report: The 7 best-kept secrets of client-attracting websites
http://www.copy-cat-copywriting.com/subscribe.html
Copyright Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D. - http://www.makewritingpay.com
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