Contracts and SOWs

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5 Billing Tips for Contractor Invoicing

By MBO Partners

Tracking and billing your time is one of the most important tasks you’ll take on as an independent contractor. Whatever billing method you choose, you’ll want to present a reputable, professional invoice to your clients. Follow these five tips to present a clean, professional invoice to your clients. 1. Set a Billing Policy Creating billing…

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How to Write a Consulting Contract: 6 Best Practices

By MBO Partners

Contract writing is an important part of your business as an independent professional. A contract defines the work you agree to do for a client and also provides you with legal protection.  Contract negotiation can be an intimidating part of starting a new project but setting up this legal framework will help protect you in…

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How to Negotiate a Consulting Contract: 5 Steps

By MBO Partners

In any business agreement, use of a written contract is highly recommended. Contracts provide clarity, establish a relationship, and offer protection to all parties. For these reasons, many independent professionals wisely insist on using written contracts for every client project. In some cases, you may use your own contract, but clients will generally create and…

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consultants

Top 5 Common Contract Mistakes to Avoid

By MBO Partners

Contracts are an important part of an independent consulting business. They define services to be performed, state payment terms and conditions, and provide legal protection. As a solo business owner, a simple contract mistake can end up costing you valuable time and money. With your business and reputation on the line, it’s important to carefully…

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6 Things to Include in a Project SOW

By MBO Partners

Writing and delivering a Scope of Work (SOW) can at first seem like a daunting task. However, once you understand what goes into the various parts of the document, it becomes much more manageable and can be a useful tool to help you get organized before a project begins. A project Scope of Work is…

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Verbal Contracts: 4 Best Practices

By MBO Partners

Entering into a verbal contract with clients a common practice among independent professionals, but it’s not a best practice. Without the red tape and bureaucracy that can slow down larger businesses, independents enjoy the advantages of being flexible and agile in transactions and deals. However, while verbal contracts often simplify business, if things go sour,…

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5 Basic Startup Costs for Independent Consultants

By MBO Partners

Startup costs for a new business are an important consideration. One of the biggest hurdles you will cross when going independent is truly making sure you are ready for self-employment. If you want to start your own business and already know the skills and services you want to offer to clients, congratulations—a big part of…

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What to Include in a Consulting Agreement: 7 Sections Every Agreement Should Have

By MBO Partners

A consulting agreement between an independent contractor and a client should provide legal protection for both parties while also clearly establishing expectations of the project to be completed. The exact language and sections included in your contract may vary depending on your industry, client type, and location. Independent contractor agreements are particularly important for independent…

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8 Terms that Should Be Included in an SOW (Scope of Work)

By MBO Partners

What is a Consulting SOW (Scope of Work)? A Scope of Work (SOW) is a document that defines how a project will be executed through specific tasks, activities, deliverables, and timelines. A SOW also provides important legal protections for both you and your client. While many people associate SOWs with large-company projects, they are equally…

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4 Reasons You Need a Consulting Agreement

By MBO Partners

Independent contractor agreements are a written record of the agreement between consultant and client. Not only do they provide legal protection, but they also create a sense of professionalism, encourage communication, and ensure an efficient and streamlined process to complete the project. Contracts can be as long or as short as you need. Taking the…

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