Congratulations! You landed a new client. They love your proposal and want to get started right away. You dive head-first into the project and create something you’re proud of. Once it’s complete, you send the project off to the client, feeling accomplished and on top of the world.
The client emails you back right away.
So sorry, we’re actually going to take this in a different direction with another freelancer. Thanks for your hard work!
You immediately panic. How could this happen? I need to get paid! I’m still getting paid, right?
You reply to their email asking about payment. No response.
A week later you email them again asking when you can expect a payment. No response.
You’re left feeling defeated and frustrated. If only there were a way to prevent this from happening.
How important are documents that hold legal weight?
Well, the truth is, terrible clients are bound to pop up everywhere, in every industry and unfortunately, this is an all too common occurrence. Having a client fail to pay an invoice is just one example of a bad freelancing experience, but there are plenty of horror stories out there about other nightmarish client situations.
As a freelancer, it’s your job to protect yourself and your work from the perils of client management. Read: You need a way to ensure you get paid and can defend your work if you need to.
We’re not just talking about contracts, but things like patents and copyrights are important if you sell products. Not to mention, registering your business is a way to ensure your business holds legal ground.
What happens if I don’t use them?
Without a contract or other legally-binding document in place, you run the risk of losing your work and not getting paid. There’s little you can do legally speaking without an existing agreement.
But contracts aren’t just used to guarantee you are paid —they act as a safety net for other aspects of a client/freelancer relationship as well.
A solid contract will outline exactly what you’re planning on doing for the client per your discussions complete with deadlines, pricing, deliverables, date of invoice, and the scope of work. This way, you know precisely what you’re supposed to be working on, and the client knows what they’re getting. No questions.
Contracts also protect you from clients who try to tack on a few other deliverables, otherwise known as scope creep. Lastly, they serve as a way to legally able you to include your work in your portfolio or to use in new business pitches.
Legal software for freelancers
Contracts and other legal documents are an essential part of freelancing that can protect you and your work from worst case scenarios. Because let’s be honest — they are bound to happen at some point or another. That’s the nature of freelancing for you.
Don’t do another thing until you have an active contract with each client. Read on to learn about some of our favorite legal tools.
AND.CO
Powered by the popular freelance job board, Fiverr, AND.CO is an excellent tool that shows you how to draw up contracts for every project and client.
The intuitive software guides you through each section of the contract and lets you easily make changes and additions. What’s more, all AND.CO contracts allow both you and your clients e-sign every document. No more PDF editor. No more file converting.
Writing contracts doesn’t get much simpler than with AND.CO. Plus, that’s not the only thing you can do with this tool.
With AND.CO, you can create invoices, proposals, manage your expenses, track your time, and so much more. It’s a one-stop-shop for all your administrative and financial duties as a freelancer.
The only catch with this tool is that it’s been entirely free up until recently. But, it’s worth the small price.
Who should use AND.CO?
Freelancers who aren’t super savvy with legalese or who don’t know what to include in a contract.
Pricing
- Basic — Free
- Pro — $24/month
For a detailed look at AND.CO’s pricing and features, check out their website.
HelloSign
If you need a contract software that integrates with the other tools you use daily — Gmail, Google Docs, Salesforce, Slack, and more — HelloSign is the tool for you. Despite having more bells and whistles than AND.CO and Bonsai, HelloSign combines clean design with function.
HelloSign’s mobile app makes reviewing, signing, and creating contracts on the go a breeze. All HelloSign contracts are secure thanks to their SSL encryption, exceptional server infrastructure, and audit function.
This software is excellent for teams that need multiple people to sign off on a contract before it goes to a client or who need to manage version control of documents. Google tools integration and status notifications keep everyone on the same page and working on the most up-to-date records.
Lastly, HelloSign’s award-winning customer service team are ready to help you work through any issue you and your team may encounter when it comes to using the software.
HelloSign is an outstanding tool that helps teams work smarter, together.
Who should use HelloSign?
Freelancers who need an integrated contract tool that keeps teams connected and in the loop.
Pricing
- Basic — Free
- Pro — $13/month
- Business — $40/month
To get the full breakdown of HelloSign’s pricing, check out their website.
LegalZoom
If you need an all-encompassing legal tool that doubles as your counsel and business center, LegalZoom is worth looking into. A widely-used resource across businesses of all sizes and industries, LegalZoom is your hub for all things business law.
With LegalZoom, you can do everything from registering your business as an LLC to filing patents, trademarks, and copyrights. If you have products, this tool can be extremely helpful when setting yourself and your business up properly.
You never have to go it alone thanks to LegalZoom’s legal advice services, which you can add to your plan at any time. Whether you need full-blown legal counsel or just need a document reviewed by an attorney, help is only a few clicks away.
The last thing you want to do is worry about not being protected from the worst case scenario, but LegalZoom gives you the resources to set yourself up for success. The best part about LegalZoom is that they make intimidating legal matters simple and attainable.
Who should use LegalZoom?
Freelancers who need more legal support due to products, patents, etc. or who want to be more in-tune with their legal options.
Pricing
- Pricing varies depending on your plan and needs. Contact LegalZoom for more information.
Wrap up
There’s no question about it, having a contract with every client that protects both you and your work is a fundamental part of freelancing.
Once you get into the habit of creating and sending contracts to new clients, it’ll become second nature. And if (and when) things go awry, you’ll be glad you have an agreement in place.
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