by Leo Wiles
26 July 2017
Thanks for writing in and let’s see if we can help you out with some info.
First off, it’s good that you’re finally getting paid. However, if you’re writing is good enough for them to pay you then you should be asking for market rates rather than pocket money. Of course we realise when starting out trying to earn your stripes that’s not always possible to get, but it is something you should ask for, especially before you sign the contract.
Secondly, is this a starting point into a future vocation or something you plan on doing on the side while keeping your day job? The ABN, the insurance, the scary contract – is it worth all the angst if you a) aren’t making much money or b) don’t plan to move into freelancing on a more full-time basis?
Generally, you will need an ABN to do any freelancing, and to set yourself up as a separate business. You need to declare this income, obviously, and if it’s a second job outside your full-time one it may be subject to a different / higher level of tax – you’ll definitely want to check this out with your accountant.
In terms of copyright, if the copy you’re writing is written in their time as part of your normal job, then as a rule they already own it. And if you’re doing it in your own time, if it really is a tailor-made piece for the client then it probably doesn’t matter if you’re signing it over, as it has no resell/market value.
Insurance-wise, you also need to find out if you fall under the company’s insurance, or if they are requesting you get your own (personal liability and indemnity are often the insurances requested). You might want to look into this if you’re writing copy that might be contentious or subject to a lawsuit. Generally, insurance is less than $40 a month for a $20 million coverage, so it can’t hurt if this is the stepping stone.
As for a decent writer’s agreement I don’t think I have seen one that doesn’t ask for the soul of your firstborn for years. Really, that will be a judgement call that could probably be answered with a bottle of red and the company of a few good friends – or better still skip the wine and get a lawyer to take a quick look at it to see what you’re really signing up for.
Do you have a day job separate from freelancing? What would be your tips for our letter-writer?
