Starting the relationship.
WHEN TO SEND IT
Immediately after the deposit or agreement.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
Thank them What happens next, with dates What you need from them, with a deadline How to reach you and when Who they deal with
WHY IT MATTERS
A client who hears nothing after paying wonders whether anything is happening.
WHAT TO BE SPECIFIC ABOUT
Dates. "We will start on Monday and send the first draft by Friday."
WHAT TO REQUEST
Everything you need, in one list.
Not piecemeal over the following weeks.
THAT IS A COMMON FAILURE
Requesting things one at a time makes you look disorganised and delays the work.
WHAT TO ATTACH
Anything they need: a form, a questionnaire, instructions.
WHAT TONE
Warm and businesslike.
WHAT TO AVOID
A long document nobody reads Nothing at all
WHAT THIS COSTS
Ten minutes, once you have a template.
