Consultations, estimates, proposals, contracts, oh my! If onboarding your clients is a struggle, this session is for you. I’ll share my super straightforward system and break everything down into actionable steps you can put in place to get clients to sign on the dotted line. When you have a buttoned up client onboarding process, your clients will have confidence moving the project forward with you. It’s how you set the stage for a smooth and successful project (and keep yourself efficient, calm and sane).

1. 11
G E T T I N G C L I E N T S
T O S I G N O N T H E
D O T T E D L I N E

2. 22
Jill Anderson
I design and develop websites for creative professionals.

3. 33
So, there’s a client who’s interested
in working with you. Now what?

4. 44
This my way. It works for me. It may
not work for you, and that’s ok.

5. 55
1
D E F I N E T H E T E R M S
O F YO U R C O N T R A C T
2
Q U A L I F Y & V E T
T H E P R O S P E C T
3
S H O W M E
T H E M O N E Y
4
P R E PA R E F O R
A S T R O N G K I C KO F F

6. 66
1
D E F I N E T H E
T E R M S O F YO U R
C O N T R A C T

7. 77
Yes, you need a contract.

8. 88
Do you need a lawyer?

9. 99
What if they don’t sign it?

10. 1010
Items to Include in Your Contract:
TERMS & CONDITIONS
So everybody’s on the same page.
EFFECTIVE DATES
You don’t want an Estimate or Proposal to be valid forever, so
include a length of time your estimated fees will be applicable.

11. 1111
Items to Include in Your Contract:
FEES & CHARGES
Explain any fees and expenses, the payment timeframe,
and what happens if payments are late.
GRANT OF RIGHTS
State who owns what (and when), and who
gets to use what (and when).

12. 1212
Items to Include in Your Contract:
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Let clients know what you expect of them such as timely
decision-making and provision of content as well as who
is responsible for errors in the finished project.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Agree that confidential information disclosed
during the project stays private.

13. 1313
Items to Include in Your Contract:
RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES
I'm an Independent Contractor and there is no exclusivity.
WARRANTIES
What does the future hold regarding this project and
relationship? Define the parameters, time periods and
details regarding support services and maintenance.

14. 1414
Items to Include in Your Contract:
INDEMNIFICATION/LIABILITY
If something bad happens in the future and it’s somehow
related to your project, who is responsible?
TERM AND TERMINATION
What if the project stalls? What if it gets cancelled? Include
specific timeframes and expenses associated with each situation.

15. 1515
Items to Include in Your Contract:
MISCELLANY
Terms can be modified only in writing.
A client may authorize expenses or revisions orally.
Any disputes must go through arbitration.
SIGNATURES
The signature makes it real, folks!

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Resources
FREELANCERS UNION CONTRACT BUILDING TOOL
freelancersunion.org/contract
AIGA CONTRACT TEMPLATE
aiga.org/standard-agreement

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Create a link to your contract for
clients to sign online such as:
hellosign.com/s/da8e9d58
jilllynndesign.com/terms

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2
Q U A L I F Y
& V E T T H E
P R O S P E C T

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Just because someone wants to
work with you doesn’t mean you
necessarily want to work with them.

20. 2020
Have a consultation call.

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Use an online scheduler program
like Calendly to make it easy for
people to schedule a consultation
call (or kickoff call or training, etc.).

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Discuss timeframe, budget, and where
they are in the decision making process.

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Pay attention to red flags.

24. 2424
They don’t have a budget.
They bad mouth previous creatives.
You’re having communication issues.
They’re having trouble defining what they want.
They’re in a rush.
They talk about their personal lives (a lot).
They stand you up.
They want everything!
They’re waiting for a check to clear.
They’re doing other things.

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3
S H O W M E
T H E M O N E Y

26. 2626
No project is real unless you’ve
received money for it.

27. 2727
Package it up.Package it up.

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Use accounting software
like FreshBooks.

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Send one email to the client
with a getting started checklist
with links to your estimate,
contract (and questionnaire).

30. 3030
Hey [name] - great chatting with you today!
I’d love to work together! Keep in mind that my schedule tends to fill up
quickly, and I’m currently booking projects to start in [month/year].
Here’s my questionnaire which will help us maximize our time together
during our Kick-Off session:
https://JillLynnDesign.com/questionnaire
Once the below three items are completed, we can get our Kick-Off session scheduled:
1. Review + accept this estimate (and I’ll send you an invoice for the first installment of the project fee).
2. Pay the first installment.
3. Sign and return these Basic Terms + Conditions showing you how we’ll work together:
https://www.hellosign.com/s/da8e9d58
Let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to working together!

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4
P R E PA R E F O R
A S T R O N G
K I C KO F F

32. 3232
Once the contract is signed by
the client and the deposit is paid,
you have an official project!

33. 3333
Have a kickoff call.

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Use a project questionnaire to
act as the scope of work.

35. 3535
Get to work :)

36. 3636
Want to chat more?
Get the slides
slideshare.net/jilllynnanderson1/sign-on-the-dotted-line
Get the ebook
JillLynnDesign.com/freegift
Schedule a free 30-minute chat
JillLynnDesign.com/say-hello
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@JillLynnDesign