Congratulations! You have decided to go freelance with your photography and you just got your first call from a potential client. He's designing a print piece and needs some pictures. The prospective client got your number from a mutual friend and would like to talk to you about your services. How is tomorrow at 2pm? Great! Now what?
Where do you start? How much do you charge? Should you bill by the hour or charge a flat rate? What about a contract? What are you not even thinking of?
No problem. In this article, we'll cover some of the basics that will help you get through your first client meeting like a pro.
The main thing to keep in mind as you approach your first client meeting is: be professional. Be professional in your appearance and in your demeanor. Be organized and prepared. The client does not need to know that this is your first job. Do not lie or bluff about your experience, just be confident and professional.
OK, so what about the specifics of the job? The key here is to let the client do the talking. Ask the client for more details about the project, and then listen carefully as he responds. Find out what the client needs. Being very clear about the client's needs will be your key to completing the project successfully. What is his priority? Does he need a quick turnaround? Does he need a completely unique approach? Get very clear on what the client wants and needs.
Ask what the budget is. If he turns the question back on you without offering a number, say something to the effect of "I should be able to complete the project within your budget, so let's talk more about that." If the client has not specified a price, do not quote a price at the meeting. This is very important and bears repeating. Don't quote a price at the meeting. Your job at this point is to get as many specifics about the project as you can and then tell the client that you'll get back to him with a quote. If the budget is reasonable, you can say you're confident that you can work within his budget and that you'll get back to him. Be sure to tell him exactly when to expect your response and then get it to him the day before that.
If the budget seems too low, be ready to negotiate. What services can you offer within that budget? How could the project be scaled back to achieve the desired end result within the budget? Be creative.
At the same time, don't be afraid to walk away from the deal if it becomes apparent that the client wants you to work for free. Respect your time and the skills that you offer. If you are not getting what you believe is fair in the deal, simply say that the project does not appear to be a good fit, and that the client might be better served by someone else.
Next, develop a project agreement. A project agreement simply documents who is going to do what and by when. Focus on the deliverables, expectations and timeframes.
There you have it. Your first client meeting in a nutshell. By the end of the meeting you want to have a very clear understanding of the project, at least a ballpark figure for the budget and a project agreement. The next step is to write up a quote and get it back to the client ahead of schedule.
So, once again congratulations! You've just taken a big step on your way to a career as a successful freelance photographer.
Interested in more tips on how to build a successful freelance career? Find more at http://www.gofreelancenow.com/
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