Importance of having a contract
Working without a contract may mean working for free with no promise of continued work or payment at the end. Be confident in your abilities. It is important to keep in mind it is your job, whilst others see it as a hobby due to the creative nature it is important to be educated and educate others on the business of design. Do not start out by making promises you can't fulfil. It is easy to say yes to all client requests to ensure you seal the deal, don't always say yes equip yourself with the right insight. When drafting a contract you must ask questions such as timeline, budget, brief, points of contract and usage. The contract should be more exact and provide stronger representation of actual project numbers and key calendar dates for production and delivery dates.
Long Term
How the first client contract is handled sets the tone for future projects and how will they will or won't work. Professionalism and ability to deliver will be watched carefully throughout the process. Customer service is key however do not avoid discussing money. The most successful business people talk about money upfront. Do not sell yourself short because you will end up coming up short in the end.
Setting up for success
Contract timeline and terms are the most important components. Before the physical document is finalised you should have at least one discussion referencing your contract prior to submission. Making the client aware the contract is also set out so there are no surprises or reasons to questions printing their signature to the paper. Be aware some projects have more demanding requirements to see it through to completion. You may also need to alter rates quarterly or yearly to keep profit margins or give yourself a raise. Most designers also often require non-refundable deposits for security purposes and in the event of the client terminating the project prior to completion. Most importantly a contract should be mutually beneficial to you and your client.
(Blog : The Graphic Design School : www.thegraphicdesignschool.com)
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