5 Things You Absolutely Must Do Before You Work with Clients 1-on-1

You finally got that email you’ve been waiting so long to see in your inbox:

“Good morning, ____! Thanks for a great discovery call the other day. I’m so excited and ready to work with you! What’s my next step?”

“UH OH.” you realize. “What do I do next?! How do I work with clients one-on-one? Do I send them an invoice, a contract — wait a second… I don’t have one!”

Here are 5 things you should get in place before you ever receive that email (or to have in place for the next time you get it!):

1 // Business Entity Registration

Before you work with clients 1-on-1, you want to make sure you have a fully formed business entity that actually protects you. For the most part, a sole proprietorship doesn’t do anything to protect you personally.

That doesn’t mean an LLC is the right option for you either — but that’s something you need to figure out.

2 // Get a Contract

Don’t wait for that (awesome) email above. Have a legit contract made up *before* you ever receive that email so you’re ready to go.

You should have the basics of your contract all filled out and ready to go so that all you have to do is enter your client’s personal info, pricing, and any other details particular to that client.

3 // Setup Invoicing

Setup an invoicing process with a company like PayPal, Square, Stripe, Dubsado, etc. (I use Dubsado – feel free to use the coupon code samvw for 20% off Dubsado!)

Your invoice template should be setup with your business info (using your business name, address, contact info, etc.) and use a logo (if you have one) or any other markings that will help make your invoice look legit.

4 // Check Your Website Policies

To be extra safe, make sure your website policies are in place (website disclaimer, terms & conditions, and privacy policy) because now you’ll have a double layer of proof — your client could learn more about you and your business policies on your site before signing up to work with you, and they confirmed their understanding in your written contract.

5 // Business Insurance

Even if you have an LLC or use awesome contracts, people can still sue you/your business. Business insurance ensures you don’t pay the lawyer bill and, goodness forbid, any judgment is ever found against you or your business for something covered by your policy, the insurance company pays it out — not you.

The key is making sure you have the *right kind* of business insurance that actually covers you and what you do ; )

I know all of this can seem so overwhelming.

You might even be thinking, “OK Sam, this is all great…. But this seems like it’s going to cost a FORTUNE and take forever to get in place.”

No worries girl, I got you : )

That’s why I created Fearlessly Legal™ — an online course with 23+ video modules that teach you all the legal info you need to know about business registration and ALL the post-reg steps, contracts, insurance, trademarks + copyrights, and working with clients.

Learn more about the Fearlessly Legal™ course and the Ultimate Bundle package (includes Fearlessly Legal™ + 10 DIY legal templates!) HERE.

Let’s get legally legit <3

xo,