by sjohn
13 replies
When working with an offline client, what kind of legal documents do you agree to signoff on?
Are there any examples of any?
#documents #legal
  • Profile picture of the author Dexx
    Some people use full-blown contracts, some use agreements, others a handshake...

    All depends on what you are comfortable with really
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Ramsey
    I tend to go with hand-shakes.

    I try to be as flexible with my clients as I can (without getting stepped on), so I don't really worry about legal documents. Plus, I'm never actually going to sue someone... so it's kind of pointless on my end.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      A well thought out agreement is a very powerful closing tool, you should give it some thought.

      I loved using my agreement to sell additional services without mentioning them while pitching the prospect.



      Originally Posted by Chris Ramsey View Post

      I tend to go with hand-shakes.

      I try to be as flexible with my clients as I can (without getting stepped on), so I don't really worry about legal documents. Plus, I'm never actually going to sue someone... so it's kind of pointless on my end.
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      • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
        Hey Russ

        That's pretty clever. Having the extra services inside the Agreement.

        Suppose you just ask - "would you like fries with that"...LOL

        Might add that to ours.

        Regards

        Bronwyn and Keith
        Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

        A well thought out agreement is a very powerful closing tool, you should give it some thought.

        I loved using my agreement to sell additional services without mentioning them while pitching the prospect.
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        • Profile picture of the author teaball
          This is a business. Treat it like a business.

          You only need a contract when you don't have one.

          This may be your first experience in running a business. If so, you have no idea where you will end up and who you will be doing business with in the future.

          You need a simple clear contract or agreement.

          It's not about whether you will ever sue someone.

          It's about you getting sued for non-performance, failure to use due care, ... so many things.

          A business is a living, breathing entity that can do just about anything a person can do, except vote for President.

          Treat it with respect. Get a lawyer, in general practice. Make him your customer too. Mine became a customer after I did my first offline deal.

          i'm just trying to help. When you start a business, you have created something really cool. Build it right and correctly. Do it, the lawyer thing, while you have plenty of time.... that is, when you are just starting out.
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          • Profile picture of the author sjohn
            Originally Posted by teaball View Post

            This is a business. Treat it like a business.

            You only need a contract when you don't have one.

            This may be your first experience in running a business. If so, you have no idea where you will end up and who you will be doing business with in the future.

            You need a simple clear contract or agreement.

            It's not about whether you will ever sue someone.

            It's about you getting sued for non-performance, failure to use due care, ... so many things.

            A business is a living, breathing entity that can do just about anything a person can do, except vote for President.

            Treat it with respect. Get a lawyer, in general practice. Make him your customer too. Mine became a customer after I did my first offline deal.

            i'm just trying to help. When you start a business, you have created something really cool. Build it right and correctly. Do it, the lawyer thing, while you have plenty of time.... that is, when you are just starting out.
            I'm just starting out with this and just want to get an idea of how much this would cost roughly?
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    • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
      Originally Posted by Chris Ramsey View Post

      I tend to go with hand-shakes.

      I try to be as flexible with my clients as I can (without getting stepped on), so I don't really worry about legal documents. Plus, I'm never actually going to sue someone... so it's kind of pointless on my end.

      Someone suing you should be the real concern.
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        Handshakes and verbal agreements go right out the window as soon as the disagreement is about money.

        Originally Posted by MichaelHiles View Post

        Someone suing you should be the real concern.
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgeO7
    I use an agreement that spells out what is to be done and on what terms. Payment information is clearly outlined.

    Online marketing/website design, etc. tends to have a "creep" factor unless clearly defined.

    George
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  • Profile picture of the author Dr Dan
    I just go with the handshake and send a pdf outlining all that I am going to do for them and what is not included. I dont have them sign it, I just send it to them as a proposal.
    Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author sjohn
      I'm new to offline marketing so just also wondering if anyone has had any issues with clients where these type of legal documents would come handy?
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    To any level of real, seasoned business person, the phrase "I don't need a contract" is actually translated as, "I am an amateur hack."

    Strong fences make good neighbors. In business, there is never, ever any justification for not using a contract for services. It's to protect you and your ASS(ETS) if you get sued.

    I remember the raft of BS I got from people on WF for suggesting that they needed E&O insurance if they were going to be selling any kind of marketing services to any business at any level.

    Why, I had absolutely no idea what I was talking about!! I was an idiot!!

    ROFL

    So I just sort of went on down the road. Of course, nobody is every going to show their face back at WF and proudly proclaim that they got their ass sued off by a client for over-promising and under-delivering like a hack. And without a contract to disclaimer specific results, et al, it's a slam dunk.

    There's literally so much bad business advice tossed around on Warrior Forum by amateur hacks... even sold as WSOs. Some people literally have no business whatsoever being in the advice business.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    For those of you who do not know what E&O insurance is, it means errors and omissions.
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