Freelance Client Service Agreement for New Graduates

What a good one includes

• A detailed, line-by-line description of the specific deliverables, revisions included, and project milestones to prevent scope creep.
• Clear payment terms, including an upfront deposit requirement, accepted payment methods, and specific late payment interest rates.
• An intellectual property clause stating that the client only owns the rights to the final deliverables after you receive payment in full.
• A straightforward exit strategy detailing how either party can cancel the contract, including a kill fee to compensate you for work already completed.
• A section outlining what resources, feedback, or assets the client must provide and the deadlines for delivering them to keep the project on track.
• A protective limitation of liability clause that caps your financial liability to the total amount paid under the contract, shielding your personal assets.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Starting work based on verbal agreements or casual text messages without getting a signed contract first.
• Omitting a specific revision limit, which allows clients to demand endless free edits and stalls your project completion.
• Transferring the ownership of creative assets before receiving the final payment for your services.
• Failing to define a kill fee that protects your time if a client abruptly cancels the project halfway through.

Frequently asked questions