Contracts, Deposits & Non-Disclosures , Oh My!

Jason Bishop

The items in the subject line were brought up in another category, but I wanted to ask the pros about them.

First, where is the best place to get "standard" contract?
Legalzoom.com?, etc?

I've been lucky so far in that everything's been spelled out clearly in email exchanges with clients, but there will come a day...

Do you find asking a client to fill out the form and/or pay a deposit gums up the works and/or slows things down?

Also, what is the most common form of payment for most of you? Check, PayPal, Credit Card?

What do you say when the client pulls the "gee, can you bill us because getting a check from this company takes days/weeks..and the project deadline is before then"..or some similar comment that's basically asking you to "trust them"?

I had one big client where it took 30-days for their accounting department to make me a qualified vendor and get a check cut.

Anyway, just a few questions as I try to become a better businessman as well as a better voice over talent.

Thanks in advance!

Don Randall · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007, 00:33 (GMT) Post subject:

Golly Mr Businessman, I sure am honored that you chose to use me as your voice talent. My policy is Cash Up Front for the first three projects - after that, half in advance with the balance due net 15 days.

Allen Brown · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007, 20:18 (GMT) Post subject:

Jason,

30 days is NOT too long to wait for a check from a reputable company. I don't even twitch until a receivable is 45 days old. Then I give a gentle reminder.

The wild and wooly internet is different. You have to protect yourself a bit more. The key word is "reputable".