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After you sealed the deal do you..

by P1
10 replies
After sealing the deal with a client do you have them sign a contract? And do you ask for funds upfront? As in 50 percent to start and 50 percent after.
#deal #sealed
  • Profile picture of the author JHolness
    I guess that would all depend on how you like to do business.

    If it's for a friend or someone I know, I don't make them sign anything until later on.

    And also I guess it would depend what kind of services your are providing, and when you will deliver on those services.

    For example, if your going to make them a video, there really isn't any need to make them sign anything. And if you sold them on the idea of the video on Monday, I wouldnt charge them till I delivered it to them say, Tuesday or Wednesday.

    Some things require a setup fee, some don't, but either way you need to be paid for your services.
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    • Profile picture of the author P1
      Originally Posted by JHolness View Post

      I guess that would all depend on how you like to do business.

      If it's for a friend or someone I know, I don't make them sign anything until later on.

      And also I guess it would depend what kind of services your are providing, and when you will deliver on those services.

      For example, if your going to make them a video, there really isn't any need to make them sign anything. And if you sold them on the idea of the video on Monday, I wouldnt charge them till I delivered it to them say, Tuesday or Wednesday.

      Some things require a setup fee, some don't, but either way you need to be paid for your services.
      Oops I mainly mean for web design for small businesses which is my main focus, but great tips.
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      • Profile picture of the author tinyreal
        Originally Posted by P1 View Post

        Oops I mainly mean for web design for small businesses which is my main focus, but great tips.
        Always get money. This is business. If they don't pay you, they aren't serious
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        • Profile picture of the author P1
          Originally Posted by tinyreal View Post

          Always get money. This is business. If they don't pay you, they aren't serious
          I take it this is a response to the second question?
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  • Profile picture of the author Seleyna
    the 50/50 is a must do
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  • Profile picture of the author KabirC
    I get the contract signed and collect the check.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    P1,

    I believe in using contracts or agreements with care given to what you can do and factors beyond your control - such as their ability to close sales. (Even so, I just fired a client because he interpreted things the way he wanted to and tried to get additional work done without paying for it. Actually, first he agreed to pay for the additional work and once we started, he e-mailed saying that he should not have to pay more because the original was for x amount per month. Even though we were now clearly doing new and additional work.) Something to keep in mind anyway.

    As for getting paid, it's always a risk. Nothing wrong with full payment up front, although some businesses won't pay that way. A common practice is for projects under x amount (whatever you decide based upon your time and overhead and payments to third parties...) they pay in full. For projects over x amount, then they pay half up front and half upon completion. Or they pay something upfront and then upon completion of each milestone...

    Check the prospect out as much as you can. Better Business Bureau, asking around, search engine... Just cause your uncle or friend referred them does not necessarily mean they are as good as gold.

    Finally, there are plenty of quality clients out there, so don't ever take on work you don't want to do, a client you don't want, or a rate that's really too low.

    Good luck. Hope this helps. Feel free to PM
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  • Profile picture of the author Craig Roberts
    Banned
    I get to work on their project immediately
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark_Austin
      I draw up a service proposal with a breakdown of what they are getting for the fee and time to deliver etc. For web design work I always ask for 50% upfront.
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      • Profile picture of the author P1
        Originally Posted by Mark_Austin View Post

        I draw up a service proposal with a breakdown of what they are getting for the fee and time to deliver etc. For web design work I always ask for 50% upfront.
        Good idea I will probably just give them a breakdown of everything they requested and have them sign it more like a receipt than a actual contract.. or receipt/contract I guess you could call it :confused:
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