Terms and Conditions of Business
Note: In this document, ‘I’ and ‘Me’ refer to Hannah Abbott Copywriting Ltd.
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It’s important to me that our work together meets - and even exceeds - your expectations. The Terms and Conditions outlined below are intended to ensure we’re on the same page from the very start. When you hire me as your copywriter, you confirm that you have read and agreed to them. All terms and conditions apply unless otherwise agreed.
Last updated June 2023
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Terms for copywriting client work:
Before work begins
Before starting work on your project, I’ll email you with a breakdown of the work to be done and the associated costs. I require an email reply to confirm you are happy to commission me and pay the quoted fee. Quotations are provided on the basis that the scope of the work doesn’t change. In the event that it does, I’ll discuss any additional fees with you before continuing.
2. Fees
For projects, I charge a fixed fee for each project which will be detailed in the quotation as mentioned above. This includes every aspect of my service (including meetings, phone and email conversations, all research and up to two set of revisions as well as delivery of the final draft). If the brief or requirements change at your end after work has begun, I may charge an additional fee - but will always discuss this with you first.
For ongoing/retainer work, I usually charge based on a day.
I won’t charge you for minor, out-of-pocket expenses (such as phone/internet usage or travel expenses) required to complete your project. If a more significant expense becomes necessary, I will ask for your approval to request reimbursement in advance.
3. Payment terms
I require full payment upfront for projects up to the value of £400.
I require a deposit of 50% of the total fee upfront for projects with a value of £401 and above. This is payable on receipt of invoice. The remaining fee is then due for payment on receipt of final copy (I will provide an invoice for this).
I prefer to charge for services as a retained copywriter in advance at the start of each month, but this is negotiable depending on your company’s payment terms.
4. Revisions
If you need tweaks or changes to the copy I provide, I will be happy to do these promptly. Up to two sets of revisions are included in the originally quoted fee, as long as these are requested within 28 days and are not beyond the scope of the original brief or based on a fundamental change in the project that is beyond my control.
Should you require a complete rewrite because of a fundamental change in the brief, this will be charged accordingly (but discussed in advance).
5. Non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements
I’m happy to sign confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements you or your organisation deem necessary. However, I ask that you agree to indemnify me against any action whatsoever by you or a third party, associated with the accidental disclosure or loss of this information.
6. Contracts
If you are hiring me to work for you on behalf of any organisation, company or group of individuals other than yourself alone, you confirm that you are authorised to hire me on their behalf.
If you hire me on behalf of a marketing agency to work for the agency on a project for one of your clients, a contract will exist only between me and your agency, and not between me and your agency’s client.
7. Copyright
The copyright for any creative concepts and copy I develop shall be fully transferred to you upon full payment of the applicable invoice.
8. My portfolio
I reserve the right to use selected extracts of my work for self-promotion or advertising purposes unless specifically forbidden to do so by you.
If the final product included materials written by someone else, I will make every effort to ensure that I do not inadvertently breach their copyright. However, you confirm that you are authorized to send me the material for my use either as reference material or to form part of a new piece of work, and you indemnify me against any action arising, directly or indirectly, as a result of use of this content.
9. Cancellation
You are free to cancel any work up until the point of paying a deposit or prepayment without incurring any cost. Once a deposit has been paid, it cannot usually be refunded. I consider your prepayment or payment of a deposit as a clear instruction for me to proceed with the project without delay.
10. Sub-contracting
Very occasionally, I sub-contract some or all parts of a project to other trusted, experienced, senior copywriters in my network. All work is thoroughly proofed and, if needed, edited against the brief by me before it’s delivered. In these cases, I build in extra time my end to ensure there is absolutely no compromise on quality or standard of work compared to if the work was not subcontracted. In these cases, my approach essentially gives you two copywriters for the price of one. If you have a specific objection to your project being subcontracted, or any questions, please let me know in advance.
11. Errors, Omissions and Indemnity
I will make every effort to ensure that the copy is free of errors and omissions – including errors in spelling and content – but cannot guarantee this. I advise all clients to review the copy thoroughly. All responsibility for the content ultimately rests with the client.
You shall hold me harmless against any liability anywhere in the world, including liability arising from copyright infringement and libel, that results in any way from your use of my copywriting services and counsel on this project. You agree to indemnify me against any claim for compensation or damages brought about as a direct or indirect consequence of the work I do for you and/or your organisation.
It is the sole responsibility of the client to ensure that all statements, claims, promises, information on said product or service, and guarantees are upheld in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. No claim for compensation due to loss of earnings or any other detrimental effect to your business can be made against me.
12. Instruction to cease work
It’s important to me that you are happy with the work I do for you. Although it is highly unlikely, sometimes things don’t go exactly to plan. If you’re unhappy with any aspect of my work, please discuss it with me and I will do my best to resolve any issues.
If I have been given proper opportunity to address your concerns – based on a reasonable and collaborative working relationship, and a minimum of two further drafts – and you still consider that the work that I have submitted does not meet your brief, the contract between us can be cancelled by emailing me a written ‘instruction to cease work’. This is entirely without prejudice, and no liability or admission of failure or inability to complete the contract on my part is implied.
Any work that has been created up until that point will be paid for by the client, whether approved or not. After work costs for the time spent have been deducted, any remaining balance will be reimbursed back to the client. The client owns the work that has been created and submitted, providing it has been paid for.
Got questions? Please get in touch - hello@hannahabbottcopywriting.co.uk
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