Copywriting Contract Template: Word Counts, Revisions, and Rights

Copywriting jobs creep in a very specific way: "while you're at it, could you also do the meta descriptions?" or "can we try a completely different angle?" Each request feels small. Together, they can double the time a project takes. A copywriting contract keeps the project to what was actually priced — and makes it easy to say yes to extras, for an extra fee.

Clients understand deliverables better than hours. List them concretely:

• Homepage copy, up to 600 words
• Four service pages, up to 400 words each
• Five blog posts, 1,000-1,200 words each, on agreed topics
• One email sequence of 5 emails

State what's included in each: headlines, calls to action, SEO keywords supplied by the client, meta titles, and so on. If you're pricing per word, set the rate and a range — for example "approximately 3,000 words; final invoice adjusted if the agreed length changes by more than 10%."

Most copy revisions come from a brief that was vague or never existed. Make the brief a requirement:

Sample clause:
"Before writing begins, the Client will provide or approve a written brief covering audience, key messages, tone, and required keywords. Revisions are measured against the approved brief. Changes to the brief after writing has started may be treated as new work."

This protects both sides: the client gets copy that matches what they asked for, and you aren't penalised for their change of direction.

Two rounds of revisions per deliverable is a widely used default. Be clear about the difference between a revision (tightening, adjusting tone, fixing facts) and a rewrite (new angle, new audience, new structure).

Sample clause:
"Each deliverable includes two rounds of revisions, requested in writing within 10 business days of delivery. Requests that substantially change the approved brief are quoted as new work. If no revision requests are received within 10 business days, the deliverable is considered approved."

That approval window matters: without it, a draft can sit "pending feedback" for months while your final invoice waits.

Content projects get cancelled for reasons that have nothing to do with the writing: a product launch is delayed, a marketing budget is cut, a new manager arrives. A kill fee makes sure the work you've already done is paid for — typically 25-50% of the fee for a deliverable that's in progress, and the full fee for one already delivered. We cover this in more detail in our guide to kill fee and cancellation clauses.

Clients usually need to own the copy outright, so a transfer of rights on full payment is standard. Two details worth adding:

1. Portfolio use — you may show the work as a sample, unless it's confidential or ghostwritten and the client asks otherwise.
2. Bylines — say whether content is published under your name, the client's name, or no name. Ghostwriting often commands a higher rate.

Sample clause:
"Upon receipt of full payment, all rights in the final delivered copy transfer to the Client. Drafts, notes, and unused material remain with the Writer."

This article is general information, not legal advice. Copyright transfer rules vary by country, so check what applies to you for high-value work.

Our free copywriting contract template covers deliverables, briefs, revision rounds, approval windows, kill fees, and rights transfer. With Clinch, describe the job in a sentence and AI drafts the full contract; the client signs from their phone without an account and pays the deposit at signature — 50% up front is common for copy projects — so you start writing on paid time.