Getting your business ducks in a row

GETTING YOUR BUISNESS DUCKS IN A ROW

This afternoon i went to a short talk presented by John Watters about the the ins and outs of getting paid by a client.

What will happen - 

Client > Brief  > Ideas > Back to client > Changes ect & so forth.

First step - 

You get an enquiry from a potential client! Try to go see them and discuss the brief and the requirements and deadlines. THEN Carefully ESTIMATE the time you think that it will take and write that down.! Add an extra day to cover a finite number of client changes. 

Eg. 3 sets.Note that any additional changes over and above these will! be charged at £X per hour. NOTE: A Quotation is legally binding, so ALWAYS give an ESTIMATE as this is NOT! Estimate for everything even travel.

You should - 

Write (type) an ESTIMATE that includes all of the requirements of the brief and itemise each! section. Make sure you remember an amount for! materials etc.

Send the client the estimate together with the terms that you trade under...ie.When you will deliver. What you will deliver. The ESTIMATE of costs as you see them. Your payment terms. Ask that they email you with agreement and an ORDER for the work with a reference number.

You shouldnt - 

DONT START ANY WORK TILL YOU HAVE RECEIVED THAT ORDER

Once you have the order, they have agreed to proceed and understand the cost implication and YOUR terms of payment. 

Now enjoy the project. BUT, if the client makes more than the agreed changes in your ESTIMATE, contact them in email and let them know that any further changes will incur! additional costs? They usually become very happy with the work to date.

You should send the information to the accounts department of the company , you could also send them to the client also just F.Y.I  , also itemising the invoice can make it clearer for the client.

This talk was really interesting as i am a second year student it is beneficial i know this information now but i wasn't sure about the ins & outs and how important it is to be careful when dealing with paying clients you don't want to get ripped of & taken advantage of.