So your consults turned into paying clients and now you’re ready to get down to work, right? Your process is so familiar to you it’s basically your right leg but your client is often left wondering what’s next. Don’t abandon that Dinner Party Strategy™ just yet! Serving your main dish is important but it’s always more enjoyable when the table is set properly, right?

Keep your clients happy and your inbox free from “Wait, what’s the conference line number again?” with a to-the-point Terms and Conditions page and a snazzy Welcome Kit.

T&C

Think of your Terms and Conditions like the Cliff’s Notes of your contract. These bad boys cover the basics without all of the specifics that your super legal contracts contain.

Pro tip: Include a checkbox in your scheduler or payment system that links up to the Terms and Conditions page and asks them if they’re read it. I do this with Acuity’s intake forms but it’s possible with many other onboarding systems too.

So what, exactly, is included in a set of Terms and Conditions? I thought you’d never ask.

• A bit about you and a bit about them (character-type stuff to kick it off right)
• General Money stuff: if they get receipts, how refunds/returns work if you offer them, etc.
• Your Privacy Policy
• Basic Intellectual Property information: what they can expect from and do with the information you provide

Annnnnnd there’s a free worksheet download at the bottom of this post to get you moving and grooving on your own T&C. So grab that, okay?

Welcome Kits

Here’s the real secret: your Welcome Kit can look like anything you want. Feel like snail mailing a beautiful folder full of worksheets and details to your client’s home? Do it. Wanna attach a PDF to an email? Make it happen. Your Welcome Kit is all about working with YOU so you want to keep that same Dinner Party Strategy in mind when you’re rolling it out.

At it’s core, a Welcome Kit should include the following:

• Communication Guidelines: how, when, and where they should connect with you
• Your Availability: your general working hours and maybe even how often you check your inbox
• Main Objectives: reiterate why they hired you and what your goal is for your work together

And lastly it should ooze with gratitude and grace. After all, imagine attending a dinner party and having the host never once thank you for coming. Your objective with your Welcome Kit is to show your new client how much they mean to you and a huge part of that is answering any big questions up front.

Wanna take a peek at my Welcome Kit? I keep it super simple with a hidden webpage that is linked inside the Asana project I start with my new clients. Mine’s right over there>>>>

Now it’s time to build your own Welcome Kit and Terms and Conditions to keep your Dinner Party Strategy rolling in your branded client journey.

Tomorrow we’ll talk all about wrapping things up nicely and extending that full experience all the way through the end so don’t forget to follow along on Bloglovin’ or take a moment to pin, tweet, and share with other creative business owners you know and love.