Copywriting agreement template

Copywriting Agreement

Parties: Writer · Client

1. Purpose

This agreement sets out the terms on which the Writer produces written content for the Client, such as articles, website copy, marketing copy or newsletters, and the rights the Client receives in it.

2. Briefs and word counts

The Writer will produce the following content:

[[Describe the work, e.g. design, development or consulting]]

For each piece the Client provides a brief stating the purpose, audience, key messages, tone of voice, keywords, format and a target length of about [[800]] words, and names a contact who answers the Writer’s questions. The Writer may deviate from the target length by up to [[10]]% where the content requires it. Pieces not covered by this agreement or by an agreed brief are additional work.

3. Deadlines and delivery

The Writer delivers each piece by the deadline stated in its brief or, where none is stated, within [[7]] business days of receiving a complete brief, as an editable document in [[File format, e.g. a shared document or Word file]]. A deadline moves by the same period if the brief, materials, interviews or answers the Writer needs arrive late. The Writer tells the Client as early as possible if a deadline is at risk and proposes a new date.

4. Revisions

The fee includes [[2]] rounds of revisions per piece, each requested in one consolidated list within [[5]] business days of delivery, to bring the text in line with the brief. Changes to the brief after delivery, a new angle, substantial restructuring or further rounds are charged at [[Hourly or per-round rate]]. A piece is treated as accepted if the Client does not respond within the review period or publishes it.

5. Originality and sources

The Writer confirms that the content is written by the Writer or under the Writer’s direction, is original and does not copy third-party text beyond short, attributed quotations permitted by law. The Writer keeps a list of the sources used and provides it on request. Where the Writer uses AI writing tools, the Writer reviews and edits their output and remains responsible for the content as delivered. The Client tells the Writer in the brief if certain sources, competitors or claims must be avoided.

6. Fact-checking and approval

The Writer checks facts against the sources used with reasonable care. The Client is responsible for checking statements about its own products, prices and services and any legal or regulatory claims, for the final proofreading of what it publishes, and for the compliance of the published content with the advertising and other rules that apply to the Client’s business. The Client approves each piece before publication; the Writer is not responsible for changes the Client makes after delivery.

7. Fees and payment

The Client pays the fees shown in the price schedule of this contract, calculated [[per word, per piece or per hour]]. The Writer invoices [[on delivery of each piece or monthly]]. For a project of more than [[4]] weeks, [[30]]% of the estimated fee is payable in advance. Research, interviews and travel beyond the brief are charged as stated in the price schedule or, if not stated, at [[Hourly rate]] after the Client has approved them. If a payment is more than [[7]] days late, the Writer may pause the work after notifying the Client.

8. Cancellation and kill fee

The Client may cancel a commissioned piece at any time by notice in writing or in electronic form. If a piece is cancelled after the Writer has started it, the Client pays a kill fee of [[50]]% of its fee; if it is cancelled after a draft has been delivered, the full fee is payable. The Client may use cancelled work only after paying its full fee. Either party may end this agreement with [[14]] days’ notice in writing or in electronic form, or immediately if the other party seriously breaches it and does not remedy the breach within [[14]] days of being asked to; pieces already commissioned are completed and paid for unless the Client cancels them under this clause.

9. Ownership and licence

When the Client has paid for a piece in full, the Writer transfers to the Client the rights in it or, where the applicable law does not allow a transfer, grants the Client an exclusive, perpetual licence to use, edit, translate and publish it in all media. Until payment the Client may not publish the piece. Drafts, rejected versions, research notes and the Writer’s general know-how and recurring phrasing stay the Writer’s. The Writer does not resell the content or a close variant of it to others.

10. Byline and credit

Articles and editorial pieces are published [[with the Writer’s byline / without a byline, as ghostwritten content]]. Marketing and website copy carries no byline. Where content is published under the Client’s or another person’s name, the Writer does not claim authorship publicly, but may name the Client as a reference and show non-confidential, published work in a portfolio, unless the Client objects in writing or in electronic form.

11. Confidentiality

The Writer keeps the Client’s non-public information confidential, including unpublished plans, products, figures and interview material, uses it only for the content and does not share drafts with third parties, during this agreement and for [[2]] years after it ends. This does not apply to information that is public, already lawfully known, independently developed, or that must be disclosed by law.

12. Independent parties

The Writer works as an independent business and not as an employee of the Client, decides how and where to work within the agreed deadlines, is responsible for its own taxes, social contributions, insurance and equipment, and may write for other clients, including clients in the same industry, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing or in electronic form.

13. Liability

The Writer works with reasonable care and skill but does not promise particular search rankings, traffic, conversions or sales. Except for intent, gross negligence, personal injury or where the law does not allow a limitation, each party’s total liability under this agreement is limited to the fees paid or payable under it in the [[12]] months before the claim.

14. Governing law and disputes

This agreement is governed by the law stated under Governing law. The parties will first try to settle any dispute in good faith. Otherwise the courts stated under Jurisdiction decide, unless mandatory law provides otherwise.

Payment terms

Payment within [[14]] days of receiving an invoice, by bank transfer to the account stated on the invoice.

Governing law

[[Country or state whose law applies]]

Jurisdiction

[[Courts that decide disputes, e.g. the courts of your city]]