Contracts 101 (No Lawyer Required)
The key clauses every freelance contract needs - and the ones that don't matter. MSA, SOW, NDA, change orders, and what happens when things go wrong.
“A handshake deal works great until it doesn't. Contracts aren't about distrust - they're about both parties agreeing on what 'done' looks like before 'done' becomes a debate.”
What you'll learn
An MSA (Master Services Agreement) covers the ongoing relationship. A SOW (Statement of Work) covers each specific project. Use both.
Key MSA clauses: scope, payment, IP ownership, confidentiality, liability cap, termination, dispute resolution.
IP ownership is the most fought-over clause. Clarify: work-for-hire (they own everything), license (you retain rights), or shared (both use it).
Change orders formalize scope changes. Without one, scope creeps. With one, everyone agrees on cost and timeline impact before work starts.