Understanding parties and services

In this step, we'll address the first set of several components of your contract: the Parties and Services. ‍

Part 1: Define the parties

Who is this contract between? This will be you and the client. It's important to have the full legal name of both parties as well as any Doing Business As (DBA) names. You'll want to include your mailing address, email address, and phone number. The client should also include this information so that there is no confusion about how to get in touch with either party.

Don't forget to include a clause about who your main point of contact will be for the duration of the project. Having a single point of contact will help keep things running smoothly and help you stay on schedule. This is especially important when working with larger organizations or multiple stakeholders.

Once both parties have agreed to the contract, you will both need to sign and date it. This can be done electronically or in person, depending on your preference. We will address this in Step 10.‍

Part 2: Define the services

What services are being provided? This is where you will describe the work you will be doing for the client. Be as specific as possible so that there is no confusion about what is expected.

When a client hires you as a freelancer, they’re not just buying your time — they’re buying your expertise. But what exactly does that mean? What services is a client entitled to expect? 

In the world of freelancing, the answer to those questions is far from clear-cut. It depends on the freelancer's area of expertise, the nature of the project, and the terms of the contract. A freelancer who specializes in art may provide completely different services than one who specializes in software development.‍

In some cases, it may be strategically beneficial to break down your rates into an itemized list. This will help the client understand exactly where their money is going—and whether they’re fairly reflecting the freelancer’s contribution to the project.

In your workbook identify three services you offer and how would you define them in your contract. Pick three of your main services because we are going to continue to build on this throughout the rest of the playbooks.