Friday, August 31, 2018

Tips For Drawing Contracts For Creatives

By Kimberly Cole


Being a talent means that you are holly responsible for yourself. While big companies have HR and legal departments to design contracts, talents usually rely on the mercy of their contractors. Whether you are designing it or signing one by a third part, contracts for creatives should be formal and binding. Here are mandatory inclusions that will save you a lot of trouble during execution.

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.

Demand a non-refundable deposit as commitment for your time and booking. The truth is that you have to block the calendar on particular dates to accommodate the client even if a more lucrative deal comes up. This is the point of demanding commitment in form of non-refundable deposit. The client also makes all the effort to ensure that everything will go as planned. It teaches clients to also treat you and other talents with seriousness.

Late payment and refund policy should be included. This is a clause that many talents miss. Clients must understand that you have something to do with money and that his is your full-time engagement. Further, time for you must not be seen as an endless continuum. You have a schedule that needs to be kept. In case there is delay, you should have the right to cancel the contract or reschedule it to a time that you are more comfortable with.

Be clear about the actions to be taken in case the project is postponed or cancelled. Clients must not operate as if you are available anytime he or she wishes. You should be seen as someone who has stuff to do and not just waiting for clients to order you around. In unreasonable circumstances, the refund should not be made. In case of rescheduling, it should be done at your convenience. It is the canceling party that should pay for the emanating expenses.

Retain copyright to your work. Every creative must realize that it is more than getting paid. Your image, voice and words are your assets despite receiving money for a gig. The client has a right to use them only up to the extent that you agree. In case you take photos, their use must be compensated and approved. This also happens to videos and audios. Some mutilation could bring down your future career.

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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