Freelance Contract for Agencies
Short-form contract for project-based freelance hires.
A simple freelance contract for agencies bringing on short-term creative talent — fast to send, IP-clean, and signable in minutes.
Free to start — No credit card required
Sometimes a project needs a freelancer for two weeks, not a full contractor relationship. This freelance contract is the lightweight version of the contractor agreement — same IP and confidentiality protection, structured for one-off projects.
Why agencies need a freelance contract
- Project-scoped engagement keeps the relationship simple.
- Full IP assignment maintains the chain to the client.
- Faster signing cycle than a full contractor agreement when speed matters.
- Milestone payments tie cash to delivery and reduce upfront risk.
Common scenarios
Launch sprint freelancers
Designer or copywriter brought in for a specific campaign launch with a fixed budget and hard deadline.
One-off specialist work
Photographer for a shoot, video editor for a launch video, illustrator for a specific asset — defined scope, single delivery.
Pinch-hitting on existing engagements
Bringing in an additional freelancer to support a project that's running over capacity, scoped to that project's needs.
Clauses to pay attention to
Common questions
- When do we use this vs. the contractor agreement?
- Freelance contract = single project, defined deliverable, ends when shipped. Contractor agreement = ongoing relationship across multiple engagements. For one-off freelance work, the freelance contract is faster. For freelancers you'll work with regularly, move them onto the contractor agreement.
- How does IP assignment work for one-off freelance projects?
- Same as the contractor agreement — full assignment from freelancer to agency on payment, with the agency then handling assignment/licensing to the client. The shorter contract format doesn't change the IP structure, just simplifies the rest of the document.
- Should we include kill fees?
- For freelance work where the freelancer commits time they can't easily resell, yes — typically 50% of remaining fees. For shorter engagements where the freelancer can pivot quickly, milestone payments alone usually cover the risk. Match the kill fee to the actual lost-opportunity cost.
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