Cranky and Contract-Savvy: The hidden gotchas in creative contracts

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Carrie and Toni break down the sneaky language lurking in contracts that could cost you big time. They’ve seen some doozies. Whether you're licensing artwork or signing a freelance agreement, knowing what to look for (and what to push back on) is everything.

Contracts are NOT set in stone, no matter how official they look. Carrie and Toni share some of the most common red flags, sneaky clauses, and real-world lessons they learned the hard way.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

🔎 Why your gut instinct about a contract is probably right.
✍️ The importance of having a second set of eyes (a lawyer, a friend, or even AI).
⚠️ Common traps like rights grabs, vague payment terms, and sneaky exclusivity clauses.
💡 How to confidently negotiate better terms—yes, even you can do it!

Contracts don’t have to be scary, but they do need your full attention. Tune in and arm yourself with the knowledge to protect your work, your money, and your creative career.

Notable Mentions

Michael Sheridan Template Library

SCORE

Legal Shield for Business

 

Two Cranky Creatives …

Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.