Before you hire a client, it’s important to take the steps necessary to ensure that your legal bases are covered and that you have a system in place to hold onto that client for a long time. The excitement or anxiety of getting a client in the first place can sometimes cause business owners to make mistakes. It could cost them money in the long run, and the client. Here are 4 things you should do before you hire a client:
1 – Draft an Agreement
You need a standard agreement for your business that you can tweak for each client you come in contact with. There are a few instances in which the job is too small or the circumstances don’t necessitate that you sign an agreement. You should sign an agreement with most of your clients that describes your role, your fee, how long the contract lasts and a description of the tasks that you’re hired to perform. One trick to an agreement is to attach an addendum to a boilerplate agreement so that you don’t have to keep changing your standard agreement. For example, you can include the description of your tasks and a fee schedule in an addendum that you create separately for each client, without any need to change the main agreement each time.
2 – Make Sure You Want the Client
Not every client who wants you to do work is the right client for you. That’s a hard truth to accept when you’re looking at personal and business bills to pay and sales are slow. You should think long and hard before deciding to pass over a client, but there are valid reasons why you may need to do so. Some clients will end up placing more of a burden on your business than it’s worth. Whether it’s because they’re too demanding or want you to work for too little pay, you should know the type of client you want to avoid. When they come your way, decline the work in a professional manner and try not to burn a bridge in the process.
3 – Develop a System
You need to have processes and systems in place to ensure that you treat all clients well and deliver quality work. It needs to begin with making sure you have their contact information and other data that you need to market to them and get their tasks done. Your system should end with delivering the product or service you promised, making sure they are satisfied and asking them for more work. When you have systems in place before you hire a client, you can be more efficient and have more success with marketing to that client in the future.
4 – Get on the Same Page
Miscommunication between you and a client is frustrating and can lead to many problems. One way to avoid that is to make sure that you and your client are on the same page before you hire them. A signed agreement will ensure that, but before you get to an agreement you should schedule time to speak over the phone or in person. Email is a great tool, but sometimes the details and nuances can get lost as you go back and forth. When you speak with a client, ask lots of questions to obtain information and to clarify expectations about what they want from you.
Doing these four things before you hire a client will help you build a solid foundation for your relationship. It will take more time and effort on your part, but it’s worth the investment.
I finally got around to updating the CreativePublic.com Advanced Pricing Guides and added a few new treats I think you all will find very useful. Please see below for the most recent updates to the members area:
————————————– 1. Advanced Pricing Guides have been updated to reflect 2011-2012 pricing. (Entry level pricing guides have not been updated, those rates will not be changed at this time)
NOTE: Old pricing guides are located in the same zip files as the updated pricing guides.
————————————– 2. Sound & Music Pricing Guides (two guides are available, one with lower pricing and one with higher pricing. Pricing will depend on your geographical location)
————————————– 3. Sound & Music Agreements
- Booking Agreement
- Distribution Agreement
- Jingles Production Commercial Music Agreement
————————————– 4. Company Benefits and Employee Information Document – useful outline for showing company benefits.
————————————–
A special thank you goes out to Joshuhardin.com for providing the sound and music content and pricing guides.
You can make a transition from corporate America to working as a freelance designer. Many others have done it successfully, even if they didn’t make a six figure income. Success to you may be the ability to meet your living expenses, and to have the freedom and flexibility to choose your own clients and work your own hours. Your goal may be that six figure income. Whatever your reasons, you have to plan a careful transition so that you don’t find yourself racing back to corporate America down the road. Here’s how:
Live on a Frugal Budget
You’re going to have to make some sacrifices if you’re serious about making your transition from corporate America to freelance designer a permanent one. For example, you’ll have to create a frugal budget to live on so that you can have additional monies to save up for three months’ worth of living expenses. You’ll also need to save money to launch your freelance career, such as equipment, Internet connection, web hosting and software. You can work as a freelance designer without going into debt, if you live on a frugal budget so that you can get your finances in order.
Pitch Telecommuting to Your Boss
Your boss may be your first customer, if you approach the situation with professionalism and can persuade him to allow you to work at home. Many bosses haven’t considered the possibility of making a position a telecommuting one. Many books, web and magazine articles have been written on how to approach your boss on this issue, and you should do your research before you talk to him. Your company may be looking for ways to make cuts, and your boss might welcome the idea of telecommuting if you’re willing to work part-time without benefits. The income and access to a company for resources may be just what you need until you build up enough freelance clients to design full time.
Work with Established Design Companies
There’s a difference between launching a business and working as a freelance designer. As a freelancer, you don’t have to do as much work as an entrepreneur to market, promote, sell and land your own clients. You can make a living by working as a freelance designer for established design companies that manage the business side of designing. All you would have to worry about is selling your skills to those companies to get hired, and then delivering quality work on time. You would get paid an hourly rate in most cases, and you can work for multiple design companies at once.
Avoid Bidding Sites
The debate over whether it’s a good idea to use bidding sites to find work is a heated one. The way these sites work is that you submit a proposal with a bid amount and the person who placed the bids can review your bid along with ones made by other freelance designers. These bidding sites are global and you’re often going to be outbid by others who can charge as much as half or even more of what you bid. The work you put into each proposal and the number that you would have to submit to land one may not be worth it. It can end up costing you money, in addition to the membership fees you have to pay to these sites to bid on projects. You would be better off finding and applying for freelance jobs listed on job boards.
Living the life of a freelance designer is challenging and you can get discouraged in the beginning stages. You may face regrets in the beginning, and that’s common for many who make the transition from corporate America. Confide in your family and friends, and make sure you find supportive people that will help to motivate you along your journey.
