Writing your first freelance contract

Need a freelance contract but can’t afford a lawyer? Here’s how you can use ChatGPT to help you.

This isn’t as reliable as consulting a lawyer. But it’s a helpful DIY solution if you're on your own.

A solid contract protects both you and your clients. Thanks to AI, it’s now easier to make one than you might think, even if you don't have a lawyer. Here's a short guide to help you get started:

1. Get an example template

There are different ways to get a example contract. I would recommend:

• Asking a freelancer in your field for an example
• Asking the company you're working with (they may have worked with other freelancers)
• Googling it: there are most likely tons of examples, and probaly some related to your field

2. Write down some bullet points covering the essentials

These are usually the things you already discussed with your client, like:

• The tasks and missions you agreed upon
• The invoicing and payment terms

3. Use a GPT trained in your legal system

For French law, I used LégiGPT (I personally used the GPT available via ChatGPT, so I don't know if the site works a 100% similarly.) Make sure to use a GPT trained on the laws in your country.

This is the important part. Avoid using a generic GPT which might hallucinate laws. 🙃

4. Redact the contract

Feed the GPT the list of bullet points you wrote earlier and ask it to generate a draft contract based on that.

5. Sanity check the structure with the real thing

After the GPT gives you a contract, compare it with your example contract. This will help you identify potentially missing sections. If needed, ask it to update the contract to add the missing sections.

6. Refine and polish

After you're satisfied with the general structure of the contract, refine the specific sections and paragraphs:

• Add anything you think is missing (write it in plain language, and have GPT rephrase in the proper legal terms)
• Use GPT again to refine unclear sections

7. Review multiple times

Finally, review the contract to make sure it is protecting you, and providing all the security your client needs to work with you:

• Create separate GPT conversations (to get separate contexts) to review the final document
• Look for recurring feedback; and consider if you should ignore the one-offs suggestions

Once you’re satisfied with the result and don’t receive actionable feedback anymore, you’re good to go!