Offline Marketers :: How do you bill clients?

I recommend using a separate AWeber account for each
and every client you sign-up.

To have all client lists under one account is highly risky
and remember that the lists you create for your clients
will be one of their greatest assets - so protect it well.

Regarding the options you've listed, I've tried all three
and prefer option C now.

When I first started out doing this back in 2003, I used
to simply send the client a link for them to sign-up for
the autoresponder service themselves.

However, remember that offline business owners are
already busy with 101 other things to do - so make it
as hands off as possible for them.

I therefore moved over to getting their credit card details
and then setting them up for a separate account. However,
this causes potential hassles down the line if their card
expires or is cancelled/lost.

Therefore, my preferred method now is to sign-up my
clients to a separate AWeber account using my own card
details for billing etc. I then simply factor this cost into
the monthly maintenance fee that I charge my clients.

So, for me I've found that option C is the better way to
go and has less hassles down the line.

Dedicated to your success,

*Shaun O'Reilly

Brent:

Listen to Shaun....his philosophy is safest for you and better for the client -- albeit not as profitable for you. In my opinion (all around) Shaun's approach is the more professional one to use...although you can use one single list and be able to smooth things over should the business owner want to do it themselves.

Hope this helps !

Chris Negro

I get my clients to sign up themselves from my affiliate link. They then send me their account details and I do the work for a fee if they need me to set them up and add to their website.

I used to pay for them myself however got stung a few times when the customer did not pay.

As for them loosing their credit card etc that is their responsibility and has never really been a problem. If they do then I work with them to reinstate. My job is to teach them how to keep all this stuff organized as it is part of their life skills.

It is very important I think to get clients to take some ownership and for me to be their backup and not their crutch. Obviously it depends on what you charge, your end goals and the amount of service you want to offer.

I have had clients now for many years and have seen the majority of them become totally self sufficient with their online businesses.

I have found over my 10 years in this business if I do absolutely everything for them then they never take responsibility. By engaging them in all the processes I have seen a lot more success and also a lot greater retention.

I work with my clients very closely so they usually contact me if anything goes wrong so I go for option B.

Quentin

thanks for all the information, I am likely going to provide this service to some local companies to earn some extra cash in the near future - you'll probably see me back here asking stupid questions lol

So, putting a few clients on one account is bad thing? I was hoping to get by doing this.

Personally, I would do it where I pay the Aweber and I bill the customer. That makes me the service provider to my client, offering them a whole solution. I don't see any reason not to put a few clients on the same Aweber account - especially when they are starting out and have no list or a small list. Aweber will move lists from one account to another for you so you could just set up a new account down the road and move them over if they leave you or whatever. Don't see how it is any different than having a bunch of different lists in one account as a single account holder.

First and Foremost, with a new client

GET A DEPOSIT

They expect it, and is normal for them to make a partial payment for goods and services.

Your deposit should be more than enough to cover and minor fees like aweber or a hosting account.

Then pay with your card, or your business' card for all the services that you need.

Mark