Practical examples of scope of work for content writing (freelancers & clients)

Real examples of scope of work for content writing projects

Let’s skip the theory and go straight to what you actually need: real examples of scope of work for content writing that you can adapt. Think of these as templates you can customize, not rigid rules.

Below, you’ll find different examples of examples of scope of work for content writing across common project types:

• Ongoing blog content
• Website copy
• Email marketing sequences
• Social media content
• Case studies and white papers
• Product descriptions for e‑commerce
• Thought leadership and ghostwriting
• Content refresh and optimization

Each example of SOW language focuses on four things: what you’ll deliver, how much, by when, and how feedback works.

Blog package: examples of scope of work for content writing retainers

Blog content is where scope creep loves to hide. “Oh, can you also upload it? And find images? And write the social posts?” A clear SOW keeps those add-ons from becoming unpaid favors.

Here’s an example of scope of work for a monthly blog package:

Project: Monthly blog content for Acme Software’s B2B blog
Deliverables: 4 long-form blog posts per month (1,500–1,800 words each) on agreed topics related to B2B SaaS, customer success, and onboarding.
Services include: Topic research, SEO keyword research (1 primary + 2–3 secondary keywords per post), content outline, writing, and up to 2 rounds of revisions per post.
Services do NOT include (unless added as paid extras): Stock image sourcing, uploading to CMS, on-page formatting, or social media copy.
Timeline: Drafts delivered weekly on Tuesdays; client feedback within 5 business days; revisions delivered within 3 business days of receiving consolidated feedback.
Approval: A post is considered approved if no feedback is received within 7 business days of delivery.

This is one of the best examples of scope of work for content writing for blogs because it quietly solves common problems:

• It defines word count so “quick 500-word posts” don’t morph into 2,500-word epics.
• It limits revisions and sets feedback windows.
• It clearly lists what’s not included.

You can tweak this example of a blog SOW for:

• Short-form posts (500–800 words)
• Thought leadership posts under an executive’s byline
• Industry news roundups or curated content

Website copy: examples of examples of scope of work for content writing

Website projects are notorious for dragging on. Pages get added, stakeholders multiply, and suddenly you’re rewriting the whole site for the same flat fee. That’s why you need very specific examples of scope of work for content writing when it comes to websites.

Here’s a practical SOW example for a 5-page website:

Project: Website copywriting for BrightPath Coaching
Deliverables: Copy for 5 web pages: Home, About, Services, FAQ, Contact. Approximate word counts: Home (600–800), About (700–900), Services (1,000–1,200), FAQ (800–1,000), Contact (300–400).
Process: 1 brand voice questionnaire, 1 competitive review (up to 3 competitor sites), 2 headline options for the Home page hero section, and 1 round of light copy edits after launch for minor tweaks only (typos, small phrasing changes).
Revisions: Up to 2 rounds of revisions per page based on consolidated feedback from a single point of contact.
Timeline: First drafts delivered within 15 business days of receiving all inputs (questionnaire, existing materials, brand guidelines). Revisions delivered within 5 business days.
Exclusions: Design, wireframing, SEO technical setup, legal review, and translation are not included.

Examples of SOW like this save you from:

• Surprise pages like “Oh, we also need a Careers page” (that should be a new line item).
• Endless “tone tweaks” after launch (limit to light edits).
• Confusion about who gives feedback (one decision-maker only).

Email marketing: examples of scope of work for content writing sequences

Email work can be deceptively big: strategy, subject lines, A/B tests, segmentation. A vague SOW like “write a welcome sequence” is an invitation to misaligned expectations.

Here’s an example of email SOW language you can adapt:

Project: 7-email welcome sequence for Evergreen Fitness online program
Deliverables: 7 marketing emails (300–600 words each) including subject lines and preview text, written in brand voice and formatted in Google Docs.
Strategy: 1 kickoff call (up to 60 minutes) to clarify goals, audience, and offers; 1 sequence outline showing email goals, CTAs, and key messages before writing.
Revisions: Up to 2 rounds of revisions for each email, limited to copy changes (no redesign or platform setup).
Timeline: Outline delivered within 5 business days of kickoff; first drafts within 7 business days of outline approval; revisions within 3 business days of feedback.
Optional add-ons (billed separately): A/B test variations for subject lines, segmentation strategy, and ESP setup.

These examples of scope of work for content writing make it clear that you’re responsible for words, not the entire email marketing ecosystem.

For larger clients, you might also specify compliance responsibilities. For instance, you can point them to resources like the Federal Trade Commission’s advertising and email guidance and state that legal compliance remains the client’s responsibility.

Social media content: examples include calendars and captions

Social media SOWs often go wrong because “just a few posts” turns into daily content, comment moderation, and analytics reporting. Clear examples of scope of work for content writing keep your role focused.

Here’s how you might frame it:

Project: Monthly social media content for LinkedIn and Instagram for Nova HR Consulting
Deliverables: 12 LinkedIn posts (150–300 words each) and 12 Instagram captions (50–150 words each) per month, delivered in a shared content calendar.
Inclusions: Caption writing, basic hashtag research (up to 10 per post), and suggested post dates.
Exclusions: Graphic design, video editing, community management (comment replies, DMs), paid ad copy, and posting/scheduling inside platforms.
Revisions: 1 round of revisions per post before scheduling.
Timeline: Monthly content calendar delivered 10 business days before the start of each month; feedback requested within 3 business days.

This example of a social SOW keeps you firmly in the writing lane while leaving room to upsell design or management as separate services.

Case studies & white papers: best examples of long-form scope of work

For higher-ticket projects like case studies and white papers, a detailed SOW is non-negotiable. These are the best examples of scope of work for content writing to protect your time because they involve research, interviews, and multiple stakeholders.

Here’s a case study SOW example:

Project: Customer success case study for Atlas Payroll’s mid-market client
Deliverables: 1 case study (1,500–2,000 words) in narrative format, plus a 1-page summary version (400–600 words) suitable for sales collateral.
Research: 1 client interview (up to 45 minutes) with a prepared question set; review of up to 3 internal documents (presentations, reports, or briefs).
Revisions: Up to 2 rounds of revisions, including fact-checking changes from the featured customer.
Timeline: Interview scheduled within 10 business days of SOW signing; first draft delivered within 7 business days of interview; revisions within 5 business days of feedback.
Approvals: Client responsible for securing approvals from the featured customer; writer not responsible for legal or PR sign-off.

And here’s an example of a white paper SOW:

Project: 8–10 page white paper on AI in healthcare operations
Deliverables: 1 white paper (3,000–4,000 words) with executive summary (300–400 words), plus suggested section headings and pull quotes.
Research: Secondary research using reputable sources such as NIH, Mayo Clinic, and peer-reviewed journals; client to provide any proprietary data.
Revisions: Up to 2 rounds of revisions focused on accuracy, clarity, and tone.
Timeline: Outline delivered within 7 business days of kickoff; first draft within 14 business days of outline approval.

These examples of scope of work for content writing make research boundaries clear and remind the client that legal and regulatory compliance—especially in fields like healthcare—is their responsibility.

E‑commerce: examples of scope of work for product descriptions

Product description projects look simple until you’re 300 SKUs deep and rewriting bullet points at midnight. This is where tight, numerical examples of SOW language keep you sane.

Here’s a sample SOW for an online store:

Project: Product description writing for Luna Home Decor’s spring collection
Deliverables: 100 product descriptions, each 80–120 words, plus 3–5 bullet points per product highlighting features and benefits.
SEO: Incorporate 1 primary keyword per product from client’s list; light keyword research only if requested as an add-on.
Format: Delivered in client’s spreadsheet template with fields for title, short description, long description, and bullets.
Revisions: 1 round of revisions per product batch (batches of 20).
Timeline: First batch delivered within 7 business days; subsequent batches delivered weekly.

This example of a product-description SOW shows quantity, structure, and how revisions work for large volumes.

Thought leadership & ghostwriting: examples of SOW for executive content

When you’re ghostwriting for founders or executives, expectations can get fuzzy fast. A clear SOW sets boundaries around voice, research, and review cycles.

Here’s an example of scope of work for a thought leadership series:

Project: Ghostwritten LinkedIn article series for CEO of Horizon Logistics
Deliverables: 6 long-form LinkedIn articles (1,200–1,500 words each) over 3 months, under the CEO’s byline, on agreed strategic themes (supply chain resilience, sustainability, and technology).
Inputs: 1 kickoff interview (60 minutes) plus up to 30 minutes of follow-up questions per article via email or recorded voice notes.
Revisions: Up to 2 rounds of revisions per article to align with executive’s voice and perspective.
Confidentiality: Writer will not be publicly credited; a separate NDA will govern confidentiality.
Timeline: 2 articles per month; drafts delivered on agreed dates; feedback within 5 business days.

Examples of scope of work for content writing like this help prevent “can you also manage my whole personal brand?” from sneaking into the project.

Content refresh & optimization: examples of examples of scope of work for content writing updates

Content refresh projects are increasingly popular as brands realize it’s often cheaper to update than to create from scratch. According to industry surveys through 2024, many marketing teams report better ROI from updating high-performing pages than constantly chasing new ones. That trend means you need examples of SOW for optimization work, not just net-new content.

Here’s a content refresh SOW example:

Project: SEO content refresh for top 20 blog posts on Summit Finance blog
Deliverables: Updated versions of 20 existing posts, including revised headlines, updated stats and references, improved internal linking, and on-page SEO updates (titles, meta descriptions, H2/H3 structure).
Research: Use up-to-date data from reputable sources such as Harvard and government statistics where relevant; client to provide access to analytics.
Limitations: No major rewrites exceeding 40% of original content without prior approval; new posts are out of scope.
Revisions: 1 round of revisions per post based on performance or editorial feedback.
Timeline: 5 posts per week over 4 weeks.

This is one of the more modern examples of scope of work for content writing because it reflects how teams actually work in 2024–2025: updating, optimizing, and repurposing instead of starting from zero every time.

Key ingredients every example of content writing SOW should include

Looking across all these examples of examples of scope of work for content writing, some patterns show up. No matter the project type, a strong SOW usually spells out:

• Deliverables: Exactly what’s being created, how many pieces, and approximate word counts.
• Process: Research, interviews, outlines, and how many stakeholders are involved.
• Revisions: How many rounds, what’s included in a “revision,” and how feedback is delivered.
• Timeline: When drafts are due, how long clients have to respond, and when revisions are returned.
• Exclusions: What you’re not doing—design, legal review, uploading, analytics, or compliance.
• Approval rules: When work is considered accepted (for example, if no feedback arrives by a certain date).

If your SOW doesn’t clearly cover these areas, you’re relying on good vibes instead of clear agreements.

FAQ: examples of scope of work for content writing

What is an example of a simple scope of work for a one-off blog post?
Here’s a quick, copy‑and‑paste example of a simple SOW: “Writer will deliver 1 blog post of 1,200–1,500 words on the topic of remote onboarding best practices, including basic keyword optimization, 1 headline option, and up to 2 rounds of revisions. Draft delivered within 5 business days of receiving the brief; revisions delivered within 3 business days of feedback. Client is responsible for fact-checking, legal review, and publishing.”

What are some common examples of scope creep in content writing?
Common examples include clients asking for extra posts beyond the agreed quantity, significantly longer word counts, additional rounds of revisions, new formats (like turning a blog into a slide deck), or tasks like uploading, sourcing images, or rewriting existing pages that were never listed in the SOW.

How detailed should my scope of work be for content writing?
For small, low-risk projects, a short SOW with clear deliverables, word counts, deadlines, and revision limits is usually enough. For larger or regulated industries—like healthcare, finance, or education—you’ll want more detailed examples of SOW language that clarify research standards, approvals, and legal responsibilities. You can point clients to resources like NIH or Mayo Clinic for factual accuracy, but make it clear that final compliance is their job.

Can I reuse these examples of scope of work for content writing in my own contracts?
Yes. Treat these as starting points. Adjust the numbers (word counts, timelines, revisions) to match your process and experience level. Then run your final contract past a legal professional in your jurisdiction if you want formal legal review.

What if a client wants something outside the original SOW?
When you have clear examples of scope of work for content writing in your contract, it’s easier to say: “That’s outside our original agreement, but I can add it as a new line item.” Then you can send a mini‑SOW or change order that spells out the new deliverables, price, and timeline.

Use these examples of examples of scope of work for content writing as your toolkit. Customize them, save them as templates, and update them as your services evolve. The more specific your SOW, the fewer awkward conversations you’ll have—and the more time you can spend actually writing, not firefighting.