What Your Independent Contractor Agreement Needs to Include

If you’re hiring a virtual assistant, graphic designer, copywriter, or any other contractor who touches your business, a verbal agreement or simple email thread is not enough. Having a solid, written independent contractor agreement protects your confidential information, clarifies expectations, and ensures that you actually own the work you are paying for.

Here are the eight essential clauses every contractor agreement must contain:

1. Scope of Work 

Clearly spell out their specific duties so there is zero confusion about deliverables. For example, specify "Create and schedule three Instagram posts per week using provided brand guidelines".

2. Payment Terms 

Define exactly how much they are getting paid, when payment is due, and the payment method. For example, specify "$500 per month, due on the 1st, paid via ACH".

3. Timeline & Duration 

Outline when the contract starts, when it ends, and whether the arrangement is ongoing, such as "Month-to-month, beginning June 1, 2026".

4. Proper IP Ownership Terms 

This is critical: if a designer creates your logo or a copywriter writes your sales page, they may automatically own the copyright unless your contract explicitly states otherwise. Your clause should state that all deliverables become the property of your company upon full payment.

5. Confidentiality

Contractors often get access to your client lists, launch plans, revenue numbers, and unreleased content. A confidentiality clause ensures they cannot share or disclose your private business materials during or after the engagement.

6. Non-Solicitation 

Prevent former team members from poaching your hard-earned client base. Include a term stipulating that the contractor cannot solicit your clients for competing services for a set period (like 12 months) after the relationship ends.

7. Clear Termination Rules 

Define how either party can end the working relationship and what happens to unfinished work. For example, allow either party to terminate with 14 days written notice if appropriate.

8. Independent Contractor Status 

Explicitly confirm that the person is an independent contractor, not an employee, and that they handle their own taxes, work hours, and equipment. This protects both parties from misclassification issues.

Ready to Protect Your Team Agreements?

Setting clear expectations with your contractors before work begins saves you money, stress, and potential legal issues down the road. If you need custom contractor agreements or want to review your current onboarding documents, we are here to support you.

9 Key Terms to Include in Your Group Coaching Terms of Use

Creating terms of use for your group coaching program is so important in establishing clear guidelines and expectations for your clients. Here are 9 key elements to include in your group coaching program terms of use:

1. Program Description:

Provide a detailed description of the group coaching program, including the scope of the program, topics covered, duration, format (e.g., online sessions, workshops), how long any sessions are, any materials or resources provided to participants, and any other deliverables.

2. Payment and Fees:

Make sure you clearly outline the payment terms, including fees, payment schedule, accepted payment methods, and any refund or cancellation policies.

3. Confidentiality:

Have provisions to protect the confidentiality of information shared during the group coaching sessions. Participants should agree not to disclose sensitive, proprietary, or personal information shared by other participants or the coach.

4. Code of Conduct:

Establish a code of conduct outlining expected behavior for participants, including respectful communication, and adherence to your program guidelines. Clearly define consequences for violations of the code of conduct, such as removal from the program.

5. Intellectual Property Rights:

Make sure you clearly explain who owns the intellectual property rights to the program materials, including any handouts, worksheets, or recordings provided to participants. Participants should agree not to reproduce, distribute, or sell program materials without permission. Don’t forget this step!

6. Disclaimer of Liability:

Include a disclaimer to minimize your liability. Encourage participants to consult with a qualified professional for personalized advice or assistance.

7. Termination, Refund, and Chargeback Policies:

Define the conditions under which either party can terminate the participant's involvement in the program, as well as any applicable refund policies.

8. Governing Law and Jurisdiction:

Specify the governing law and jurisdiction that will apply in case of disputes arising from the terms of use.

9. Amendment Clause:

Reserve the right to amend or update the terms of use as needed and specify how participants will be notified of any changes.

We highly recommend having a lawyer draft your group coaching contracts. They can help you properly include these key elements in your group coaching program terms of use, establish clear guidelines and expectations for participants, protect your intellectual property, and minimize potential conflicts or misunderstandings. And don’t forget to review and revise the terms regularly to make sure they’re still relevant and effective for your program!

Need help with your Group Coaching contracts? Book a discovery call below.