legal

Be Contract Smart: 13 Copyright Terms to Know

March 26, 2023 by Noemi 1 Comment

One thing nearly every freelance writer is going to have to do is sign a contract. Contracts, when written well, protect both the freelancer and the client by avoiding any confusion and preventing anyone from giving up any rights that they didn’t intend.

But as necessary and as useful as contracts are, they are often filled with terms that can cause confusion. Many freelancers, intimidated either by the size or the seeming complexity of their contracts often just sign them with little more than a cursory glance. This is a poor move that can cause a freelance to sign a bad deal with no legal recourse against it.

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What to Do If Clients Are Not Paying You Right Now + 5 Common Scenarios

March 2, 2023 by Noemi Leave a Comment

Clients who don’t pay are nothing new. Even without a crisis, we have encountered at least one client who knows all the delaying tactics in the world when it comes to paying for work we’ve done. And then there are those who don’t pay up at all.

In this time of crisis, the problem is even more pronounced. Clients are likely facing financial issues themselves, and while we sympathize—we are truly in the same boat—we also need to keep food on the table.

So what do you do if clients are not paying you right now? [Read more…]

5 Essential Legal Documents For Freelancers

November 29, 2022 by FWJ 1 Comment

The idea of freelancing is a wonderful concept. The ability to work from anywhere with limited oversight and a schedule that suits the work-life balance that best suits you is almost idyllic. With the largest freelancing market in the world, a staggering 67.6 million people freelance in the US.

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Tenant and Freelancer Rights – UK Edition

March 2, 2020 by FWJ Leave a Comment

There is a time when your choice to be a freelancer and work from home could impact your right to live in your house. It seems so simple nowadays. You can use the internet to connect with clients, and from there you can earn a wage without commuting. One in four people in the UK agrees with you, as the gig economy continues to grow in influence. However, with the increased numbers comes increased scrutiny from the Government and the taxman. Therefore, it is not so simple as just getting started and seeing how it goes. Let’s guide you through some of the essentials. [Read more…]

Top Tips to Ensure Your Freelance Contracts Secure Your Financial Freedom – UK Edition

October 28, 2019 by FWJ Leave a Comment

As of 2016, there are 2 million freelancers in the UK. With this in mind, we want to make sure that those living in the UK who have taken the self-employed route are making the best choices for their income and mental wellbeing, particularly when it comes to contracts between freelancer and client.

After all, you aren’t working as a freelancer because it’s easy. Most freelancers do what they do for: passion, a level of flexibility that can’t be experienced in an office or the possibility of great disposable income and financial freedom. [Read more…]

How to Create a Freelance Contract

August 20, 2018 by FWJ 1 Comment

If you’ve recently landed a new writing gig, your first thought may be “when do I get started?” Before you ever write that first word, however, you need to ensure that your future as a freelancer is secure with a legally-binding freelance contract that protects you and the income you’ve planned on receiving.

Contracts don’t need to be complicated or even very long. They do, however, need to be clear. Here are the basic steps to making a contract that your clients will be comfortable signing and that covers your interests. [Read more…]

What To Do When Clients Don’t Pay Their Invoices – 5 Common Scenarios

July 2, 2018 by FWJ 3 Comments

If you’ve clicked on this article, you probably either already have an unpaid invoice lingering around, or have had to deal with an unpaid invoice before.

No matter if you are a freelancer, small contractor, or large business owner, unpaid invoices are an aggravating inevitability. While the whole point of an invoice is to streamline the payment process and make it easier to get paid on time, clients always seem to find a way to miss the due date. [Read more…]

5 Tips for Dealing with Plagiarism Accusations

June 21, 2018 by FWJ 1 Comment

As freelance writers, we spend a great deal of time quickly researching topics we’re unfamiliar with and then producing articulate web content that makes it sound like you know what you’re talking about. A brief scan of several other informative websites often gives you background information and inspiration to write what your clients have asked for. You wind up putting together and submitting an article to your client and begin the process over again with a new topic and don’t think about it again. [Read more…]

3 Legal Issues Every Freelance Writer Should Know About

January 16, 2017 by FWJ Leave a Comment

Close to 54 million Americans are considered freelancers and that number is expected to grow 50% by 2020. While the freelance world can be alluring, there are many things you should consider before jumping in and applying for writing jobs.

The legal aspects of freelance writing are often overlooked, but they are nonetheless important to understand. Starting a successful freelance career is difficult enough. The last thing you need is added legal trouble. Avoiding the three following legal pitfalls will prevent you from receiving correspondence threatening legal action or a visit from the IRS. [Read more…]

Telling Your Stories: Tips for Using Personal Narratives in Your Writing

July 4, 2016 by FWJ 1 Comment

As freelance writers, we encounter many different types of assignments; and while some leave no room for creative personal narratives, there are other cases when your stories could be a centerpiece or valuable example for readers.

Personal stories are also a great way to plant a hook at the beginning of a story, something to grab the readers’ interest. When it comes to the sharing personal details, however, there are a few things we need to take into account, particularly the privacy of others who may be involved in our stories. [Read more…]