Contracts and payment terms every freelancer should have

Talented freelancers still get burned — not because of their work, but because of what was never written down. A clear, simple agreement protects your time, your money, and your relationship with the client. You don't need a lawyer for most projects; you need a few essentials in writing.

Put the basics in writing

• Exactly what you'll deliver, and in what format
• The price, and what it does and doesn't include
• The timeline and any dependencies on the client
• How many revisions are included
• What happens if the project is cancelled midway

Ask for a deposit

For most projects, taking a portion up front (or using escrow, where the client funds the job before you start) protects you from doing work that never gets paid for. It also signals a serious client — the ones who hesitate at any commitment are often the ones who cause problems later.

Set clear payment terms

State when payment is due and how. On a marketplace with escrow this is handled for you — funds are secured before you begin and released when the client approves — which removes the single biggest source of freelance stress: chasing invoices.

Keep it simple and human

A short, plain-English agreement that both sides actually read beats a dense legal document nobody understands. The goal isn't to prepare for a fight — it's to make sure everyone shares the same expectations from day one.