Essential Documents Every Freelancer Should Have

Becoming a web designer freelancer is such a passion for me. The reality, however, is that we also run a business – something that can be easily overlooked. My journey as a private freelancer started like this. I had no idea how to keep things organized or what the responsibilities were. So, it is essential to create and have our business documents. If you don’t know how to make them, you can always learn the templates on tweakyourbiz.com.

Like many other people, I found out as time went on. The downside was that it usually took a mistake or miscommunication for me. It wasn’t just taking the easy way out. Below is a list of important documents to use (e.g., contracts) and notes on things to keep track of (e.g., income). Each represents an essential aspect of running an independent design business.

Proposals

Scope creep is the most dreaded factor of working as a freelancer. Clients often request an inch and wrap a mile. Hence, it’s always essential for you to have a well-written and designed proposal. It should outline what you want to do and any given project. You can prepare for these by saying that anything not mentioned in the quote will incur additional costs. Just be sure to warn your client before charging extra.

Contracts

While it’s great to assume that people are honest and kind, contracts are still necessary for freelancers. At a very basic level, they generate a binding agreement on how much you will likely be paid for the work and the terms of the way you work on that type of project. This is where we can get into a lot of different technicalities and legal terms. Anyone who had made a significant purchase like a car or a house can attest to how complicated and confusing a contract can be.

It might be exactly what keeps most designers from using them. But contracts don’t have to be too complicated. Honestly, they can be as simple as you want them to be. Just be aware that a straightforward document cannot protect you from so many possible circumstances. Leave the wrong detail combined with a belligerent ex-client who may try to take advantage of it.

So when determining what requirements and protections to include in your contract, it makes sense to get help from a licensed professional. Above all, they are the best source for knowing what you want. However, professional advice may not be in our budget. Also, look at the services you provide and think about all the things that may be lacking. When you know what is possible, you will have a better idea of what you are trying to protect yourself from.

Project Notes

One of the significant challenges of working on multiple assignments is evaluating all the little details as you move from one task to the next. A busy mind can more easily forget things that are extremely valuable to the completion of a project. If you want to start small, put them in a text editor.

If you’re particularly busy and need a more robust alternative, a work management service like Trello can be your best friend. Not only can you use it to add notes about staff, but you can also keep track of other important things like deadlines. Plus, such tools often have collaboration features that allow you to share your progress with clients.