Long after you placed an ad and interviewed potential candidates, you’ve finally found one who is qualified to be your next freelancer. But how do you make the deal official? This is where an offer letter comes into play. A job offer letter is essentially used to formally offer the preferred candidate an employment opportunity or a position. The letter includes all of the key job details that the employee will be in charge of, as well as the package being offered to give the person who was selected the confidence to accept.
This post will walk you through everything you need to know about writing a comprehensive offer letter to freelancers. What exactly are you waiting for? Come explore with me!
What is a Freelancer?
A freelancer is someone who works as an independent contractor and earns money on a per-job or per-task basis. Because a freelancer is not an employee of a company, he or she is free to work on multiple projects at the same time, unless contractually committed to working exclusively on one project until it is completed.
As independent contractors, freelancers typically require signed contracts and will agree to an agreed-upon price based on the time and effort required to complete the task. This fee could be a flat fee, a per-hour, per-day, or per-project fee, or something else.
What is a Freelance Offer Letter?
A freelance offer letter is a document that clarifies the terms of a freelancer’s employment offer. It typically includes information such as the scope of work, terms of payment, and other pertinent details. Businesses that want to hire freelancers for specific projects or tasks can use freelance offer letters.
It’s worth noting that an offer letter isn’t the final seal, as the candidate’s signature or agreement is the last thing needed before they start working. Occasionally, the candidate may decline the offer mentioned in the letter, leaving room for negotiation. Once the ideal terms are agreed upon, the employer will draft a new offer letter that the candidate may accept.
Why is a Freelance Offer Letter Important?
Many people are confused as to why a freelance offer letter is required. Thus, we provide information that will help you understand why an offer letter for a freelancer is important in negotiations. Here are some indications:
- It outlines the terms of your employment and assists you in developing a professional relationship with your client.
- It’s similar to making a promise to a client and giving them the opportunity to see what you can deliver.
- A well-detailed freelance offer letter has the potential to make your profile stand out, which is something that the majority of self-employed people desire.
- An offer letter is the employer’s way of informing you about the job and what you can expect if you accept it.
- It also protects both parties by including a clause requiring both parties to refrain from disclosing any confidential information.
Important Clauses that You Might Want to Include
Here are some additional important clauses to include in your freelance offer letter:
- Pricing and hourly rates
- Payment methods and schedule
- Timeline and deadline
- Cancellation or Kill Fee
- Copyrights
- Confidentiality
- Clause of termination
- Intellectual property rights ownership
How to Write a Freelance Offer Letter
Here are some sections or details you can include in your offer letter to a potential freelancer to make it more comprehensive.
- Indicate Company details
Make it clear that the letter is from the company or organization, not just an individual. Even if you work for your startup (and may be the only employee), the offer letter must come from the company. As the letter’s keeper, you can send it to the candidate on the organization’s behalf.
- Start with an opening line
The greetings or opening lines are the first thing a candidate looks at before reading the rest of the letter. But how come this is the case? For starters, the congratulatory message is usually placed in the opening line, which hooks the recipient into the letter. Begin your offer letter with “Dear,” followed by the candidate’s name. The next step is to congratulate them and express your excitement about having them on board as the next company employee. Use a more positive and upbeat opening line.
- Include Job details
The job details should be included in a freelancer offer letter because they help both parties understand what is anticipated of them and what they will receive in return. It also aids in the avoidance of any misunderstandings or disputes that may arise during the course of the project.
- Explain compensation package in your offer
Explain the compensation package you’re offering in detail. There are various ways for freelancers to be paid, so you should delve into the details. Discuss the rates you’re offering and whether freelancers will be paid per hour or per project.
- Determine the benefits
The benefits that new hires may receive once they join the organization are determined by the job description. A full-time employee, for example, is likely to receive more benefits than a freelancer. However, it is essential to include a list of benefits that the freelancer will receive if they accept the offer.
- Mention other documents
In addition to the offer letter, you should bring to the candidate’s attention any other documents they may be required to sign if they accept the offer. An example would be a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that prohibits an employee from disclosing the company’s secrets to a competitor or an outsider.
One of the documents that the freelancer may sign is an at-will agreement. It is used to indicate that either of the parties involved may terminate the contract without legal consequences.
- Provide an expiration date
The offer letter should include an expiration date. After interviewing potential candidates, you will categorize them, beginning with the most preferred option. They may not always accept your offer, however. To save yourself time, include an expiration date on the offer letter. This means that the candidate must respond within a certain time frame, whether accepting or rejecting the offer.
- Closing line
Finish your offer letter with a catchy closing line emphasizing your excitement to have the candidate on board. You should also include your contact information so that the candidate can contact you if they run into any problems or have any further questions. You should also include a line at the end of the letter for the freelancer to sign if they accept the offer.
Tips in Crafting a Freelance Offer Letter
You can use the following advice to write a freelance offer letter:
- Include keywords that are relevant to its responsibilities and required qualifications.
- Use proper formatting.
- Demonstrate your worth.
- Establish a personal connection.
- Express your distinct personality.
- Finally, include a call to action.
- Check your letter for errors.
- Include examples of your previous work.
Sample and Template
We provide a sample and template that you can use as your guide when you are writing. Let’s now get started!
Sample 1: Freelance Offer Letter Template
You can use this downloadable template to write a freelance offer letter.
[Your name]
[Your company]
[Your phone number]
[Date]
[Recipient’s name]
[Recipient’s mailing address]
[Create an appealing subject line if sending an email]
Dear [name of the recipient],
It gives us great pleasure to send you this letter of offer to work as a freelancer at our institution [mention the institution’s name].
Your job description will be to work on our projects of [mention the details] of [mention the details] of the department of [mention the details]. We expect you to perform well in your job with precision and accuracy. Your working hours will be from [mention start date] to [mention end date]. During this time, your salary will be [state the amount].
After completing your first task, you will receive additional benefits and suggestions. You must report to our hiring manager on [mention date], at [mention time].
We are delighted to send you this offer letter for the previously mentioned freelancing position. I hope you will accept this letter and return a signed copy to our hiring authority on the first day of your new job.
We are eagerly anticipating your acceptance.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your position]
[Your organization]
Sample 2: Freelance Offer Letter Example
Here’s an example of a freelance offer letter.
Meagan Chua
ABC Corporation
555-555-5555
May 05, 2021
Jane Rodriguez
Main Rd. 123, NY
Dear Ms. Chua,
It gives us great pleasure to extend to you this offer letter to work as a freelancer at ABC Corporation.
Your job description will be to work on graphic design projects for the Marketing department. We hope you will perform well in your job with precision and accuracy. Your contract will run from May 15, 2021 to January 15, 2022. During this time, your salary will be $250.
After completing your first task, you will receive additional benefits and suggestions. You must report to our hiring department’s head on May 10, 2021, at 9 a.m.
We are delighted to send you this offer letter for the previously mentioned freelancing position. I hope you will accept this letter and return a signed copy to our hiring authority on the first day of your new job.
We are eagerly anticipating your acceptance.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Meagan Chua
Head of Marketing Department
ABC Corporation
Key Takeaways
- A freelancer is an independent contractor who earns money on a job or task basis.
- A freelance offer letter is a document that spells out the terms of a freelancer’s job offer. It usually includes information like the scope of work, payment terms, and other relevant details.
- A well-detailed freelance offer letter has the potential to distinguish your profile, which is something that the majority of those who freelance want.
- It defines your employment terms and assists you to establish a professional relationship with your client.
- The candidate may occasionally decline the offer stated in the letter, leaving room for negotiation. Once the ideal terms are reached, the employer should draft a new offer letter for the candidate to accept.