First Offline Client- First Meeting Today!- Need Help

12 replies
Well I just got off the phone with a client who needs a website for his business.

He called me off of one of the ads i placed online today.

I was going to follow John durhams thread, but I figured I'd post some ads also.

Anyways.

This is my first meeting ever.

He actually asked for the meeting today, he said the sooner the better. So were suppose to have coffee, and hes suppose to show me what sites he likes and so on.

I'm not worried about providing the service, Im actually worried about not being prepared for the meeting.

Should I have a contract? if so where can I get one?. Do people who do web design do contracts for clients?. Should I add a monthly maintenance?

Any tips or advice you guys can recommend? Meeting is today at 6pm..

Id appreciate the advice...
#client #meeting #offline #today
  • Profile picture of the author Steve Solem
    Originally Posted by vApor View Post

    Well I just got off the phone with a client who needs a website for his business.

    He called me off of one of the ads i placed online today.

    I was going to follow John durhams thread, but I figured I'd post some ads also.

    Anyways.

    This is my first meeting ever.

    He actually asked for the meeting today, he said the sooner the better. So were suppose to have coffee, and hes suppose to show me what sites he likes and so on.

    I'm not worried about providing the service, Im actually worried about not being prepared for the meeting.

    Should I have a contract? if so where can I get one?. Do people who do web design do contracts for clients?. Should I add a monthly maintenance?

    Any tips or advice you guys can recommend? Meeting is today at 6pm..

    Id appreciate the advice...
    Congrats on the meeting!

    I'm no meeting expert as I almost all of my web design clients have been out of state, but I think the best thing you can do is ask plenty of questions to show that you're really interested in them and their success and also get as much info from them about what they want so you can build them the website they want.

    You definitely should have a contract before any money changes hands, but you can probably stall for a few days if you don't have something ready for your first meeting. Shoot me a pm with your email address and I'll send you a copy of the questionnaire and contract I use - but when you can sneak it into your budget I'd highly recommend buying Sitepoints web design business kit.

    I know some guys think a handshake is all you need to do business these days, but I can't tell you how often I see problems in the sitepoint forums with new designers who didn't use a contract and now they're not getting paid and don't have a leg to stand on.

    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3201653].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author KaterSD
      Well Just to provide an update on what happen.

      I ended up meeting the client and his wife at their home.

      He told me about his business, what his goals were then proceeded to show me what kind of sites he liked.

      I took down some notes, on what they were looking for.

      I quoted them a price of $599.99

      He agreed on the price.

      I asked for a 15% deposit to get things started.

      He cut me a check :


      I'm sure I should have charged a lot more and and a bigger deposit...But for being my first appointment I was pretty glad I actually made something happen.

      I decided to get something done after reading Amir Luis thread 1600-within-72-hours. And also reading John Durhams Thread 50k a year thread

      Thanks Amir, and John
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3213835].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JoeCool
        Originally Posted by vApor View Post


        I quoted them a price of $599.99

        Congrats on landing the client, but I don't understand the thought behind pricing your service like a grocery store does a can of soup?


        ~ JoeCool
        Signature

        My Favorite Charity .:: www.Unitus.com ::. Helping Third World Entrepreneurial Families Help Themselves.

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3214153].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author KaterSD
          Originally Posted by JoeCool View Post

          Congrats on landing the client, but I don't understand the thought behind pricing your service like a grocery store does a can of soup?


          ~ JoeCool
          Ha yeah it was actually $599

          I added the dollar...sorry
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3214219].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Headfirst
        Originally Posted by vApor View Post


        I asked for a 15% deposit to get things started.
        Congrats on your first sale.

        If I can pass along some wisdom I've learned along the way, get a bigger deposit. I always ask for payment in full before the project begins, but will settle for 50% on large projects (>$5,000)

        With 15% deposits, you're going to run into a situation where sooner or later a client will haggle after you've done the work. It will happen, it sucks, but taking a larger deposit from clients you don't know will minimize that risk.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3215452].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
          Originally Posted by Headfirst View Post

          Congrats on your first sale.

          If I can pass along some wisdom I've learned along the way, get a bigger deposit. I always ask for payment in full before the project begins, but will settle for 50% on large projects (>$5,000)

          With 15% deposits, you're going to run into a situation where sooner or later a client will haggle after you've done the work. It will happen, it sucks, but taking a larger deposit from clients you don't know will minimize that risk.
          See that Vapor.....

          If more than one person keeps telling you the same thing.... It MIGHT be true!
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3219169].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dexx
    Way to take action!@

    The first client is the hardest, now just be to impress + excite to get a great testimonial of results and then LEVERAGE your success to get multiples of additional clients. =)

    Keep up the good work and keep taking action!

    ~Dexx
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3214101].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    Originally Posted by vApor View Post

    He called me off of one of the ads i placed online today.

    I was going to follow John durhams thread, but I figured I'd post some ads also.



    CONGRATS!!!!!!!

    I keep getting these PM's of success stories after posting that thread.

    That is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I really like that you decided to post ads too.

    I am a firm believer that you should have at LEAST five marketing streams going at any given time.

    That way... if one fails. You have the others that will bring you business. I absolutely and totally respect you for taking action, and thinking outside the box.

    I am a little concerned about the 15% deposit.

    In my experience, it is better to get at least a 33% if not %50. I generally get 50% to start working, and 33% as Good Faith to hold me as retainer so that I won't sell my services to thier direct competition in thier local market and industry.

    I only say this if... they won't prepay 100%

    This way... I at least have my costs covered.

    For the 50% deposit...

    "That way I can cover my costs and put your mind at ease because you know I am going to be back for the other 50%"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3214168].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steve Solem
      Congrats on your success vApor!

      Originally Posted by Amir Luis View Post

      I am a little concerned about the 15% deposit.

      In my experience, it is better to get at least a 33% if not %50. I generally get 50% to start working, and 33% as Good Faith to hold me as retainer so that I won't sell my services to thier direct competition in thier local market and industry.

      I only say this if... they won't prepay 100%

      This way... I at least have my costs covered.

      For the 50% deposit...

      "That way I can cover my costs and put your mind at ease because you know I am going to be back for the other 50%"
      I couldn't agree more about this! If you can get everything upfront that's great, but I always asked for 1/2 upfront and the balance on completion which I think is fair for everyone involved.

      Congrats again on getting out there and getting the business!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3214712].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author John Durham
        Originally Posted by Steve Solem View Post

        Congrats on your success vApor!



        I couldn't agree more about this! If you can get everything upfront that's great, but I always asked for 1/2 upfront and the balance on completion which I think is fair for everyone involved.

        Congrats again on getting out there and getting the business!
        Yeah he probably could have got the cash all at once really. But still its a start, you get braver about asking for the money with every pitch. Funny the more straight forward you are about asking for the check, the more you get one. Now vapor just has to get a little braver about asking for the whole amount.

        How to get there? Doing just what you are doing now... practicing everyday, asking for money. You get better and better at it. How many people have you asked for money today?

        None? Then how do you expect to get any?

        Vapor's on the right track.

        Nothing like seeing that first check to get you excited about collecting more of them!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3214829].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    You know... now that I think about it...

    I always say... $599 in conversations... but when they get the invoice... it says... $599.99

    No one has ever said anything to me about it...

    hmmmm....
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3214295].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Awesome Vapor! Good for you! Hope this is the first of many to come!

    We are all proud of you!!! You took action and that puts you 1000% ahead of the people who stand back trying to point out reasons why something wont work!

    You cant make money if you arent trying "something".... Action is 90% of the battle! Now while others are BROKE waiting till they feel worthy, you are "funding your own education", and affording yourself real world experience, and it will happen (your education) at warp speed that way!

    I am really happy for you!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3214343].message }}

Trending Topics