Copywriting contract template
Writing projects go wrong in two places: what counts as a revision, and who owns the words before the invoice is paid. This one-page contract closes both.
The template
1. Deliverables[Four blog posts of 1,000–1,200 words / a five-page website copy deck / a six-email welcome sequence], delivered as [Google Docs] by [date].
2. InputsClient provides a brief, brand voice notes, access to [two] subject-matter experts for 30-minute interviews, and any required product information by [date]. Delays move the delivery date by the same number of days.
3. Revisions[Two] rounds of revisions per piece are included. A round is one consolidated set of comments. Rewrites caused by a change in brief, audience or offer are quoted as new work.
4. Fees[amount], [50]% on signing and [50]% on delivery, net 14. Additional pieces at [rate] per piece; additional revision rounds at [rate] per hour.
5. Kill feeIf Client cancels after work has begun, Client pays for pieces delivered plus [50]% of the fee for pieces in progress.
6. Ownership and creditOn full payment, Client owns the delivered copy. Provider may list Client as a client and show excerpts in a portfolio unless Client asks otherwise in writing. Provider retains ownership of unused drafts.
7. AccuracyClient is responsible for the accuracy of product claims, pricing and legal statements in the final copy.
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Define a round
"One consolidated set of comments" is the phrase that turns five emails from five stakeholders into one round. Ask the client to name a single approver in the brief.
A change of brief is not a revision
If the offer changes from a free trial to a demo, every headline changes. That's new work, and clause 3 says so before it happens.
Portfolio rights
Most clients are happy to be named; some can't be. Asking in the contract (with an opt-out) is easier than asking after the fact, and it's how the next client finds you.