Need a contract...anyone have a good one?

[stldenise]

Hey guys, long time no see!

I've picked up my first business client, quite by accident. Somebody in town with a new website saw my Examiner writing and twittered me to see if I'd write blog posts for him.

We've hashed out a basic deal through email, but I'd like to send him a contract, so we're clear on what I'm doing and what he's paying and what kind of rights I'm giving him to the work.

For rights, I'm thinking something like Suite101 where he has exclusive rights to the work for a year? Not that I want to reuse it per se, but I want to make sure I don't accidentally plagiarize myself in a couple years!

Does anyone have a contract they can share for blogging/web content type work? I asked a friend for her's and it was pretty complex--I'd hate to ask somebody to sign something I don't even understand!

I'm used to signing other people's contracts, so I'm kinda caught off guard. But I figure I should have something in place.

Thanks!

[samcollie]

Hi,
I have written up a few contracts on my own, but I must say they're not very formal. I typically list the terms - due dates, word count, rights, revisions, payment terms, kill fee. Slant the terms in your favor, and your client can come back with adjustments if he'd like.
Hope that helps somewhat.

[Caroline]

Hi Denise,

I had mine drawn up by a lawyer, but here are the basic elements:

1. Outline of the project and terms of payment (including word count, deadlines, etc)
2. Provision that I am to remain an independent contractor, not an employee
3. Statement that I cannot disclose any confidential info
4. Statement that I hand over all rights forever to the client, with the provision that I get to use it in my portfolio
5. The client and I agree that we can terminate this contract with written notice
6. Another paragraph with some brief legal-ese concerning arbitration, should the client feel like suing me

Quite honestly, it's probably more than I need, but I tend to err on the side of being slightly paranoid about everything. I've also got some info in there about how many rewrites I'll do and about late payments.

Good luck and congrats!

[stldenise]

Thanks!