Whether you’ve been asked to write up a blog for a new client or you’re looking for a writer to produce content for your platform, you can avoid one of the biggest mistakes new copywriters and contractors often make by laying out and signing a statement of work.

Trust me on this one—failing to get a contract in place with clients was one of the biggest mistakes I made during my first year as a copywriter. 

Want to Know Why a Blog Statement of Work is So Important?

Let’s talk about five big reasons a statement of work is beneficial to all parties involved in a writing agreement.

1. Reduce Misunderstanding

A statement of work is a super document in any customer-supplier agreement that outlines the scope of a project. At this point, I start off new jobs for my copywriting business in the same way. I like to start off with a blog scoping call to ask and answer questions and really get an understanding of what my client is looking for.

This establishes the audience I’m writing for. It also determines content length, the expected timeline, and budget—among other things—both writer and client develop a shared understanding of expectations. From there, we can draft a statement of work that lays out everything we discussed in writing. This ultimately reduces additional clarification and damage control later on.

2. Prevent Scope Creep

Scope creep is a common phenomenon in creative projects, and it’s exactly what it sounds like—the breadth of a project getting bigger and bigger as time goes on, requiring extra communication and endless revisions to get the blog in shape. 

The best way to avoid this is to emphasize up-front communication. If you jump into a blog with only a vague idea of what your client is looking for, you’ll likely wind up having to cut and rewrite large portions of your work. Working with your client to create a statement of work clarifies the goal of the blog, meaning it is more likely to meet the client’s needs right off the bat. 

3. Meet Expectations with Clear Deliverables

On that note, another benefit of signing a statement of work is a list of clear deliverables and milestones. Determine in advance how often you’ll be checking in with the client. Will you check in when certain word counts are achieved? Will you check in at completion? And, what will the payment schedule be? This way, both parties can simply check items off a list as the project goes on.

4. Process Efficiency

As we’ve already established, a statement of work cuts down unnecessary communication for clarification and revisions throughout the lifespan of a project. This means that plans and responsibilities of both parties must be established in advance. When we do that, the whole of the project will likely wrap up right on time, if not before.

Another thing a statement of work can determine is the level of monitoring throughout the writing process. Some clients may want a bit more of a hands-on approach than others. So, you, as a writer, may have preferences for whether you work better by checking in at certain milestones or meeting only after a draft. 

During your blog scoping call, ask your client what their preferred model of supervision is and talk about how it aligns with your work style.

5. Protect All Parties Involved

One of the most important reasons for a blog statement of work is to make sure that both parties are protected if one party does not meet the terms agreed upon. Key aspects of the statement include criteria for the level of effort and sophistication put into a given blog, and also terms for the client’s acceptance of the completed content.

This prioritizes that you, as the writer, will be paid the agreed-upon amount on time. And, it makes sure the payment is made through the previously determined channel. It provides both client and supplier with proof of agreement. It holds both parties accountable in the case of any conflict or lack of follow-through. 

Protect Yourself By Getting it in Writing with a Blog Statement of Work

Having clients sign a blog statement of work provides clarity. It makes the process more efficient and provides legal protection while reducing scope creep and the potential for misunderstanding. Whether you’re a new writer or a business looking to hire a content creator, I’m here to help. Schedule a consultation today, or connect with me through LinkedIn or Upwork.