Templates / Content Writer

Content Writer scope of work template

Content writing creeps with research and "quick edits". A 1,200 word post becomes 2,500 words with interviews, custom graphics and posting it in their CMS. Lock word count, research level and who uploads.

Grab the template Or lock it in Scopease, free

Scope of work

[Project name]: monthly blog content

Content Writer: [Your name]Client: [Client name]Date: [Date]

Deliverables

[4] blog posts per month, [1,200 to 1,500] words each
Topic and keyword per post agreed in advance
Research from public sources, with links
Delivered in Google Docs with headings and meta description

Revisions

1 round of revisions per post. A change of topic or angle is a new post.

Not included (out of scope)

Expert interviews or original research
Longer posts beyond the word range
Images, graphics or charts
Uploading and formatting in the CMS
Social posts or newsletters based on the post

Anything not listed under Deliverables is out of scope. If you want it, I will send a short change order with the price and the timeline impact. Work on it starts once you approve.

Timeline

Topics agreed by the 1st
One post delivered each week

Dates assume feedback within 2 working days. Late feedback moves the dates by the same amount.

Payment

Monthly, paid upfront. Extra posts billed as approved change orders.

Approval

Client approval

Date

Template from Scopease, scope locking for freelancers

A Google Doc doesn't stop anyone. In Scopease the client approves this scope through one private link, every extra ask becomes a priced change order, and the invoice builds itself from approved work. Free for your first project. First 10 new signups get 6 months of Pro free, automatically.

Start free Have us set it up for you ($79)

The scope creep every content writer hears

"Can you make this one a big 3,000 word guide?"

Why it is not free: Double the words, double the research.

How to price it: Per word or per guide fee.

"Can you upload these to WordPress?"

Why it is not free: Formatting, images and SEO fields take real time.

How to price it: Per post upload fee.

"Can you turn each post into a LinkedIn post?"

Why it is not free: Repurposing is writing.

How to price it: Per post add-on.

Turn the next ask into a change order

Here is one already filled in for a typical content writer job: expand post 3 into a 3,000 word pillar guide with 2 expert quotes, 5 hours at $50/hour. Change the numbers to yours and send it.

Open this change order (free)

Not sure what the freebies already cost you? Run your numbers in the scope creep calculator.

Questions

What should a content writer scope of work include?

The exact deliverables, how many revision rounds and what counts as a round, a clear out of scope list, the timeline, and payment terms. The out of scope list does most of the work when the client asks for extras.

How do content writers handle scope creep without losing the client?

Point back to the approved scope, then send a short change order with the price and the new date. Start the extra work only after the client approves it. Most clients are fine with it when it is written down from day one.

Is this template free to use?

Yes. Copy it, edit it, send it. No signup. It is not legal advice, so for big contracts have a lawyer look at your terms.

Templates for other freelancers

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