I love having conversations with new clients about how they got started with their business, how they come up with new business ideas, what their favorite marketing methods are…All of these conversations help me learn my way around their business, their thought processes, and helps me learn their voice.
But sometimes…
Every once in a while…
A client comes in and we need to LEAP into action and we don’t have the luxury of having all of these conversations up front.
So here is my very, very, VERY basic checklist for Day 1 of working with a new client (a lot of these questions can be combined or customized to your business)…
Details on the Client
- What is your preferred method of contact?
- How much detail do you prefer on each project? And how do you want to be updated? (Look for basic expectations and then go above and beyond that for each client.)
- How should we address any sudden change in either my ability to deliver or in what you (the client) needs delivered?
Details on the Organization / Team
- Who is my contact for tech issues? How do we address any technical problems failures on either my end or your end (as the client)?
- Who is my contact for work/project management issues?
- What is the best method of contact? Preferred backup methods?
- What is the expectation around communications issues or project issues, and who can specify the urgency on these issues?
- Who will I be working with? How do our project(s) or piece(s) all fit together? How collaborative can I be? What is the best method of coordinating with them?
Details on the Job Itself
- What is (are) the deliverable(s)?
- In what format should it (they) be delivered?
- How should it (they) be delivered?
- What features / style must the deliverable(s) contain?
- Do you have examples of similar projects?
- What is the big deadline? Milestone deadlines?
- What software will I need to complete this?
- Do I have the access I need to any proprietary software, websites, and technology?
- Are there any platform/compatibility issues? (Mac to PC, Android to iPhone, etc.)
Good To Know, But Not Crucial To Starting
- Who will be evaluating the deliverables? By what criteria?
Do you have quick-start tips for working with new clients? I’d love to hear from you below!