Freelance ID Business Kit
Premium Toolkit · 2026
For freelance instructional designers

The Freelance
ID Business Kit

Five ready-to-brand documents plus an interactive project pricing calculator that help you land clients, scope projects with confidence, price your expertise, and get paid on time. Built for independent learning and development professionals.

Freelance ID Business Kit Fill in · download as PDF
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How to use this kit

Make it yours in about ten minutes, then reuse it on every project.

1Fill it in, then download
1
Upload your logo
Click the logo box on any document and choose your file, or drag an image onto it. It applies to every document at once.
2
Click any field to type
Anything in [ colored brackets ] is a prompt. Click it and type your own wording; the bracket disappears as you type.
3
Tick the boxes
On the checklist and the scope form, click a box to check or uncheck it.
4
Download a PDF
Press Download PDF in the bottom corner to save a clean, branded copy of the document you are on, ready to send.
2About your information

Your entries stay in this browser only and are never uploaded anywhere. They are remembered while you work, so you can refresh without losing your place. Pressing Reset clears everything you typed on that document and cannot be undone, so download your PDF first. Clearing your browser data also erases your entries.

3Want to keep editing?

Your downloaded PDF can be imported into Canva or Google Docs if you want to keep adjusting it after filling it in here. Fonts may be substituted and some color blocks may come in as images, so treat it as a starting point rather than a pixel-perfect copy.

Freelance ID Business Kit · How to use 00
Document 01 · Checklist

Client Onboarding Checklist

Run every new instructional design engagement through the same professional intake, so nothing slips before the kickoff call.

Client[ Client / organization name ]
Project[ Course or program title ]
Target launch[ Date ]
Primary contact[ Name, role, email ]
ADiscovery & alignment
Confirm the business problem behind the request
A training request is rarely the real goal. Ask what should change after the learning lands.
Define one measurable success outcome
Agree on how the client will know the project worked.
Identify all decision-makers and approvers
Know who signs off before you build anything.
Book the kickoff call and set its agenda

Ask"If this program is a success six months from now, what will people be doing differently?"

BAudience & learning needs
Profile the learners
Roles, prior knowledge, device access, and time available to learn.
Capture learning objectives in action verbs
Specific, observable, and tied to the success outcome above.
Agree on modality and seat time
eLearning, instructor-led, blended, microlearning, or job aid.
Note accessibility requirements
WCAG level, captions, transcripts, and screen-reader needs.
CContent & subject-matter experts
Get access to existing source material
Decks, manuals, recordings, policies, and past courses.
Name your SMEs and their availability
Confirm review windows so feedback does not stall the build.
Clarify brand, voice, and visual guidelines
Client Onboarding Checklist · Freelance ID Business Kit 01 · Page 1 of 2
Document 01 · Checklist

Tools, logistics & sign-off

The operational details that protect your timeline, your files, and your payment.

DTechnical & tooling
Confirm the authoring tool
Storyline, Rise, Captivate, Camtasia, or another agreed tool.
Confirm the LMS and publishing standard
SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, xAPI, or AICC, plus a test upload slot.
Agree on file delivery and naming
Source files, final exports, and where they live.
Set up shared storage and access

ProtectState clearly whether editable source files are included or licensed separately. This is a common cause of disputes.

EProcess & review
Agree on the number of review rounds
Define how many revision cycles are included per milestone.
Set a consolidated feedback method
One reviewer collates comments, you receive a single list.
Define what "approved" means at each stage
FCommercials & admin
Signed contract on file
See Document 02, the Project Contract Template.
Deposit invoiced and received
Do not begin production until the deposit clears.
Payment terms and method confirmed
Schedule and milestone dates documented
Kickoff ready

When every box above is checked, you have everything you need to start production with confidence. Save this completed sheet to the client folder as your project baseline.

Client Onboarding Checklist · Freelance ID Business Kit 01 · Page 2 of 2
Document 02 · Agreement

Project Contract

A plain-language agreement for freelance instructional design work between the parties below.

The Designer
[ Your business name ] [ Address, email ]
The Client
[ Client legal name ] [ Address, email ]

This agreement is effective from [ start date ] and sets out the terms under which the Designer will provide instructional design services to the Client.

1.Scope of work

The Designer will deliver the following: [ list deliverables, for example a 45-minute eLearning module in Storyline, a facilitator guide, and a job aid ]. Work not listed here is out of scope and handled under Clause 6.

2.Schedule & milestones

The project follows this timeline: [ kickoff, storyboard approval, alpha, beta, final ]. Dates depend on the Client meeting the review windows in Clause 7. Delays in feedback move all later dates by the same amount.

3.Fees

The total project fee is [ amount and currency ]. This is based on the scope in Clause 1 and the assumptions agreed at kickoff. Use the Rate Calculator in this kit to set a defensible figure.

4.Payment terms

A non-refundable deposit of [ 30 to 50 percent ] is due before work begins. The balance is invoiced at [ milestones or on completion ]. Invoices are due within [ 14 ] days. Late payments accrue [ 1.5 percent ] per month.

5.Revisions

The fee includes [ two ] rounds of consolidated revisions per milestone. Additional rounds are billed at [ hourly rate ].

6.Changes to scope

Either party may request a change. Changes are documented and priced using the Scope Change Request Form (Document 04) and take effect only when both parties approve it in writing.

Project Contract · Freelance ID Business Kit 02 · Page 1 of 2
Document 02 · Agreement

Terms & signatures

7.Client responsibilities

The Client will provide source content, timely access to subject-matter experts, and consolidated feedback within [ 5 ] business days of each review request.

8.Ownership & licensing

On final payment, the Client owns the published deliverables. Editable source files [ are / are not ] included; if licensed separately the fee is [ amount ]. The Designer keeps the right to show the work in a portfolio unless noted otherwise.

9.Third-party assets

Stock media, fonts, and software licenses are [ billed to the Client / included ]. The Client is responsible for the accuracy of content it supplies.

10.Confidentiality

Both parties keep non-public information shared during the project confidential and use it only to deliver the work.

11.Independent contractor

The Designer is an independent contractor, not an employee, and is responsible for their own taxes and insurance.

12.Cancellation

If the Client ends the project, the deposit is retained and all work completed to date is invoiced. Either party may end the agreement with [ 14 ] days written notice.

13.Liability

The Designer's total liability is limited to the fees paid under this agreement. Neither party is liable for indirect or consequential loss.

14.Governing law

This agreement is governed by the laws of [ your state or country ].


Heads upThis is a starting template, not legal advice. Have a qualified lawyer in your region review it before you rely on it.

Agreed & signed
Designer signature
Name & date
Client signature
Name & date
Project Contract · Freelance ID Business Kit 02 · Page 2 of 2
Document 03 · Form

Scope Change Request

When the brief grows, document it here. A small habit that protects your time, your rate, and the relationship.

Request no.[ CR-001 ]
Date[ date ]
Project[ project ]
Requested by[ name ]
Client[ client ]
Original contract[ ref ]
1What is changing
[ Describe the requested change in plain language. For example: add a second 20-minute module on data privacy, or convert the facilitator guide into a recorded webinar. ]

TipDescribe the change in the client's words first, then translate it into deliverables. It shows you listened.

2Why it is needed
[ The reason or trigger: new audience, updated policy, stakeholder feedback, or a shift in goals. ]
3Impact assessment
ItemOriginally agreedWith this change
Deliverables[ current ][ revised ]
Effort (days)[ days ][ days ]
Delivery date[ date ][ date ]
Fee adjustment[ + amount ]

ProtectAlways state the impact on both timeline and fee. A change that adds work but keeps the old deadline still has a cost.

4Decision
Approve and proceed
Decline, keep original scope
Discuss further

This change takes effect only when both parties sign below. Once signed, it forms part of the original contract.

Designer signature & date
Client signature & date
Scope Change Request · Freelance ID Business Kit 03
Document 04

Invoice

From

[ Your business name ]
[ Address line ]
[ email · phone ]
[ Tax / VAT no. ]

Bill to

[ Client name ]
[ Client address ]
[ Accounts contact ]

Invoice no.
[ INV-0001 ]
Issue date
[ date ]
Due date
[ date ]
Terms
[ Net 14 ]
Project
[ project ]
DescriptionQty / daysRateAmount
Storyboard & instructional design
Analysis, learning objectives, and approved storyboard
[ 4 ][ rate ][ amount ]
eLearning development
Build, media, and interactions in the agreed authoring tool
[ 8 ][ rate ][ amount ]
LMS packaging & QA
SCORM export, test upload, and bug fixes
[ 2 ][ rate ][ amount ]
[ Add or remove lines as needed ]
Subtotal[ amount ]
Less deposit paid[ amount ]
Tax / VAT [ rate ][ amount ]
Amount due[ total ]

How to pay

Bank transfer

[ Account name ]

[ Account / IBAN ]

[ Sort code / SWIFT ]

[ Or: payment link / PayPal / Wise ]

Notes

Payment is due within the terms above. Late payments accrue [ 1.5% ] per month per the signed contract.

Please reference the invoice number with your payment.

Thank you for your business.

Invoice · Freelance ID Business Kit 04
Document 05 · Proposal

Project Proposal

Prepared for [ client name ] · [ date ] · valid for [ 30 days ]

1The opportunity

[ Open by reflecting the client's goal back to them in one or two sentences. Show you understood the problem before pitching the solution. For example: Your new hires take twelve weeks to reach full productivity, and you want a self-paced onboarding program that cuts that to eight while keeping quality high. ]

Win itLead with their outcome, not your services. The proposal is about the result they buy, not the hours you sell.

2Proposed approach
1

Analyze & align

[ Audience analysis, learning objectives, and a measurable success metric agreed with stakeholders. ]

2

Design & storyboard

[ Content structure, storyboard, and a prototype screen for sign-off before full build. ]

3

Build & develop

[ Full development in the agreed authoring tool, with media and interactions. ]

4

Launch & measure

[ LMS packaging, QA, launch support, and a plan to measure the success metric. ]

3What you receive
  • [ One 45-minute eLearning module, SCORM 2004 ]
  • [ Source files in the agreed tool ]
  • [ Facilitator guide and job aid ]
  • [ Two rounds of revisions per milestone ]
  • [ Accessibility to WCAG 2.1 AA ]
  • [ 30 days of post-launch support ]
Project Proposal · Freelance ID Business Kit 05 · Page 1 of 2
Document 05 · Proposal

Investment & next steps

4Investment
Essential
Core build
[ amount ]
fixed project fee
  • [ Single module ]
  • [ Standard interactions ]
  • [ Two revision rounds ]
Recommended
Complete program
[ amount ]
fixed project fee
  • [ Everything in Core, plus ]
  • [ Facilitator guide + job aid ]
  • [ Custom media ]
  • [ 30 days launch support ]

TipOffering two options moves the conversation from yes or no to which one. Use the Rate Calculator to set both figures with confidence.

5Indicative timeline
Kickoff & analysis[ week 1 ]
Storyboard approved[ week 2 ]
Beta for review[ week 5 ]
Final delivery[ week 7 ]
6To accept this proposal

Sign below and return this page. A deposit invoice follows, and the signed Project Contract (Document 02) confirms the full terms. Production begins once the deposit clears.

Client signature & date
Selected option & agreed fee
Project Proposal · Freelance ID Business Kit 05 · Page 2 of 2
Interactive tool

Project Pricing Calculator

Turn an effort estimate into a confident flat fee. Set your rate, estimate the hours, and pad for the unexpected.

Your rate
Your hourly rateIndividuals usually charge 50 to 100. Beginners 35 to 45; specialist niches 125 and up.
Your day rateWhat you charge for a full working day.
Hours in your working dayUsed to convert between day rate and hours.
Estimated effort
Analysis & objectives
Storyboard & design
Development & build
Media & interactions
QA & revisions
Protect your margin
Contingency bufferPad the estimate for the unexpected. 10 to 20 percent is typical.
Revision rounds includedCap this in your contract. Bill extra rounds hourly.
Quote this project at
flat project fee
effective per hour
total hours

Base estimate is . A comfortable range to quote is to once you pad 10 to 20 percent.

Deposit to start %
Invoice now
Extra revision rounds beyond , bill at

How to use itEstimate honestly, then quote the padded number as a single flat fee. Flat pricing rewards you for working efficiently, but only if you cap revisions in the contract. Send anything beyond the included rounds through the Scope Change form.

Project Pricing Calculator · Freelance ID Business Kit Tool