4 Things to Do Before You Hire a Client

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.