Hi Reader!

One of the first projects I worked on as an (almost) lawyer was updating a contract. He was a commercial photographer doing dozens of shoots a month. Because he was working with big brands that had their own rules, each shoot had different licenses, timeframes, payments, and distribution of responsibilities.

I met with the client, and he told me the story of how, for at least two months, his assistant didn't update the social media rights section of the contract. And they only found out when a client pointed it out.

He also told me how his assistant wasted hours coordinating shared responsibilities with a specific client. Because while it was in the contract, the client hadn’t seen it.

After talking to him, it was clear that while his contract was three pages, important details were being missed.

So, I sketched out a new format.

This format had a cover page with:

• all the information the photographer (and his clients) cared about
• all the information that changed from project to project.

And then the remaining pages contained the legal nitty-gritty.

I knew that this format would make it easier for:

• the photographer (and his team) to remember where the contract needed updating because it was all on the first page
• his commercial clients because they could quickly find what they cared about

So, I updated his contract according to this format.

Long story short, this format didn’t fly with my boss at the time. (I tell the long version in this blog post.)

But it’s the format I’ve been using with my clients (and teaching) for more than a decade.

It’s also similar to what I’m seeing more and more from other attorneys because it makes it easier for both our clients and those they work with.

👉 Your action item: Consider if having a cover page with important contract details will make your relationships smoother. And if so, create one.

Want a jumping off point? Here are the common things I put on a cover page:

• the names and contact information of all parties
• how long will the contract last
• what is being exchanged
• schedule
• timeline
• deliverables
• any restrictions on the use of deliverables

I'll be sitting at my computer until about 9:30 AM Pacific and I'd love to know if you run into any roadblocks in completing this week's task. (And if you are reading this after then, please reply! I'll get back to you ASAP.)

Chat soon,

P.S. Next week in Copy + Paste Legal Week, I’m helping you create scripts of what to say in the moment when client relationships start to go sideways.

But the real power is having a contract that reduces how often things go sideways in the first place. Details dropping next Friday.

Join us for Copy + Paste Legal Week!

This free challenge is for you if writing client emails takes longer than it should, because you're trying to find the right words, the ones that feel firm but not harsh, clear but still kind, and like you at your best.

Here’s how this challenge will work:

• an email each morning with: a short prompt, a copy-and-paste script, and a companion video with extra ideas and support
• a Facebook group for sharing how you're using the scripts, questions, or help editing the scripts to fit your tone, encouragement when the urge to rewrite or overthink shows up, or just quiet support if you just want to follow along

As a bonus, if you engage with the Facebook group at least once, you’ll unlock a bonus lesson on why “non-refundable deposit” doesn’t mean what most people think it does, and what to say instead.

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❤️ Easy to understand legal resources should be available to every creative, regardless of their financial situation. If one of my resources has helped you and you would like to say “thank you”, you can make a contribution here. ❤️