All by Myself...

All job searchers probably needs to be prepared for that scenario and to be ready to subcontract. That doesn't mean buying an expensive software package to do your own accounting. It does mean being ready to set up an Excel spreadsheet to track your income and expenses.

Gordon, Miryam. STC Puget Sound (2005). Careers>Freelance>Contracts

An Agreement With a Web Designer: What Should it Look Like?

Whether you're spending a few hundred dollars, or thousands of dollars, on your website, you should have a written agreement with your web designer. Here's what to include.

Bennaco (2004). Articles>Web Design>Contracts

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Independent Contracting  

With the decline of employer loyalty to employees and the move to outsource peripheral functions, many technical communicators are exploring the possibility of becoming an independent contractor. Although much emphasis has been given to marketing and negotiation skills, there are pitfalls awaiting the entrepreneur who leaps before looking. Among these pitfalls for former corporate employees are structuring time and dealing with isolation. Success as an independent is measured by how well he/she deals with these intangible issues.

Smith, Gem. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>Consulting>Contracts

Contracting Experiences From Hell

So you've got a contract. The client seems reasonably well heeled and reliable (or you have an agency that can run interference for you). All you have to do is produce and collect, right? Not necessarily! As the following anecdotes show, having a good contract and having your professional ducks in a row are important at all stages of your client relationship.

Hilp, Robin. STC Williamette Valley (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts

Contracting: Is It For You?

In an economy that is constantly changing, many technical writers are (or have thought about being) contractors. Being your own boss certainly does have a certain cachet. But is it for you?

Turner, Gordon. STC Williamette Valley (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts

Contracts 101

Contracts are the oil that keeps business running smoothly. If you are running your own web design business, you should think of a contract as a business tool that can help you communicate clearly with your clients.

Fine, Scott. Wise-Women (2004). Articles>Collaboration>Contracts

Contracts for Every Occasion

This is a reference library of forms to help protect your work and your visitors. It contains sample forms, contracts, and charts to ease the legal technicalities of running a Web site, such as privacy policies, link agreements, copyright agreements, sweepstakes rules, and cease and desist letters.

Builder.com (2001). Resources>Legal>Contracts

Contracts: An Introduction to the Skills of Legal Writing and Analysis  

Contracts is a computer program designed for first year undergraduates studying Obligations in Glasgow University's School of Law, written by Paul Maharg and Professor Joe Thomson. It aims to improve students' written work.

Maharg, Paul. JILT (1996). Articles>Writing>Legal>Contracts

Does Information Really Have to be Licensed?    

Discusses the proposed Article 2B of the Uniform Commercial Code, which will be presented to US state legislatures for enactment. It would 'validate shrinkwrap and other mass-market licenses of information' and establish other electronic commerce rules. Samuelson sees a danger in such licenses, in that consumers are said to have agreed to their provisions by 'token assent' such as clicking 'I agree.'

Samuelson, Pamela. Communications of the ACM (1998). Articles>Intellectual Property>Contracts

Freelance Writer Agreement

This is an example of a typical agreement used for freelance writing assignments. Not that there is specific limitation of rights granted to the “buyer.” In no case do you want to sell blanket rights to your writing. It may be necessary to do it, but make every effort to negotiate a first national rights condition. If the clients wants more, get them to pay more.

Tech-Writer. Careers>Freelance>Legal>Contracts

A Graceful Palette

The challenge? To resist the temptation to make everything look new. If you work with computers every day and regularly surf the Net, it is easy to lose perspective--though we regularly see some of the best, most exciting design being done today, it is often uncharacteristically modern or ultra-modern. The challenge is to match the presentation to the subject, not to the medium.

Chuck Green. Ideabook.com (2002). Design>Graphic Design>Contracts

How to Write Your Own Contract  

This workshop is designed to help independent contractors write their own contracts.

Costanzo, Louis C., Terry S. Dick and Richard H. Weiss. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Consulting>Contracts

Legal Consequences of Employer Discharge Procedures    

The employment contract is sometimes misunderstood by both employees and employers. Drafters of employee manuals, policies, and procedures should be aware that the nature of the at-will employment relationship can be transformed into a binding employment contract by the words and phrases chosen. Just imagine the following scenario: On his first day as an Otis Accounting firm employee, Eric was provided an employee manual outlining all firm policies and procedures. Eric was not provided a written employment contract. Despite exemplary work performance at Otis Accounting for more than 2 years, Eric was fired because his supervisor, who belonged to one political party, discovered a bumper sticker for a candidate from the opposing party on Eric's car. Devastated by the unexpected dismissal, Eric sued for wrongful termination. To determine its potential liability, Otis Accounting must first ascertain the nature of its employment relationship with Eric.

Joseph, Stephanie. Business Communication Quarterly (2008). Articles>Business Communication>Policies and Procedures>Contracts

Legally Speaking: Does Information Really Want To Be Licensed?  

Although Louisiana and Illinois once passed laws to validate software shrinkwrap licenses, neither statute survived closer review. In the Vault v. Quaid decision, federal judges refused to enforce the Louisiana law insofar as license terms interfered with consumer rights under federal copyright law. The Illinois software shrinkwrap license enforcement statute was subsequently repealed due to industry dissatisfaction with it.

Samuelson, Pamela. Communications of the ACM (1998). Articles>Intellectual Property>Contracts

LOA 101: Intro to Letters of Agreement  

Answers some common questions about Letters of Agreement, documents used by independent contractors to define the specifics of particular projects.

Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts

Sample Indexing Agreement

The ASI Recommended Indexing Agreement is intended to be informative and is offered as an example of some of the issues that may be related to the relationship between an indexer and a client. ASI does not warrant, guarantee, or in any other way imply that this Agreement will protect your rights. Laws vary from state to state, and a general Agreement such as this may not be applicable in your state or for your particular situation. We strongly suggest that you consult professional legal counsel to obtain competent advice about any contract you may sign or offer to a client.

American Society of Indexers (2002). Resources>Legal>Contracts

Spec Work Can Damage Your Business

Speculative work, or free pitching, 'spec' for short, is considered unethical among leading graphic design associations around the world.

Airey, David. DavidAirey (2007). Careers>Freelance>Graphic Design>Contracts

Standard Freelance Editorial Agreement

The agreement spells out editorial responsibilities; specifies the agreed fees, reimbursements, and deadlines; and states what terms shall apply if either party terminates the contract before completion. Schedule A clearly defines various editorial activities so that the editor and the client can agree unambiguously on the work to be done. The completed form is a binding legal document.

EAC. Resources>Legal>Contracts

That Monster called Free Pitch

No matter what you call it, Spec Work, Free Pitch, etc the concept is the same. I'll get a handful of designers or studios to come up with a handful of concepts for my website, and the winner gets my business. Great concept? No! There are no winners here.

Burke, Miles. MilesBurke.com.au (2007). Careers>Freelance>Graphic Design>Contracts

What is the Purpose of a CMS Tender?

There are a number of processes used to select and purchase a content management system (CMS). Many of these involve the creation of a tender document. Beyond this core goal, it is worth reviewing what the purpose of a CMS tender is.

Robertson, James. Step Two (2003). Articles>Content Management>Legal>Contracts

Which New Regulatory Changes Will Most Impact Outsourcing Contracts, and How?

In the last two years, more than 300 state bills were introduced directly targeting outsourcing. While the 12 bills that made it into law will impact government contracting most directly, certain pending legislation, if enacted, may force providers to have onshore operations for purposes of providing certain services or handling certain data.

Hirshman, Neil. Outsourcing Institute, The (2006). Careers>Management>Outsourcing>Contracts

Working as an Independent Contractor

Working for yourself can be a blessing and a curse. Independent contractors ('ICs') enjoy more freedom and control over their work than employees do -- and they can earn more money, too. But they also have to contend with deadbeat clients, self-employment taxes and the higher cost of doing business on their own.

Usborne, Nick. Excess Voice (2002). Careers>Freelance>Legal>Contracts