Engagement letter

A shorter-form document, often used instead of a full master service agreement, that outlines the basic terms of an engagement — scope, fees, and duration — typically for smaller or shorter projects.

Example

A one-page engagement letter for a two-week logo project outlines the fee, deliverables, and timeline, without the full boilerplate of a standard MSA used for larger retainer clients.

Why it matters for agencies

Engagement letters are common for smaller projects but easy to leave scope language vague in, since they're written for speed. Even a short engagement letter should specify what's included and what isn't — the two things that most determine whether a small project stays profitable or quietly expands.