Most freelance headaches start in the first week: unclear scope, missing information, slow feedback. A repeatable onboarding process sets expectations before work starts and makes you look professional.
1. Welcome packet
How you work, how and when clients can reach you, payment terms, and answers to common questions.
2. Intake questionnaire
Collect goals, audience, examples they like, deadlines, decision-makers and brand files before kickoff.
3. Proposal and scope
List deliverables, what is not included, price, timeline and how many revision rounds. The "not included" line prevents most scope creep.
4. One-page project brief
Summarize the project so you and the client agree on what success looks like.
5. Kickoff call
Use a short agenda, confirm next steps, and send action items in writing afterward.
6. Feedback and revisions
A simple form for change requests keeps feedback in one place and makes extra rounds easy to spot.
7. Wrap-up
Deliver final files, send the invoice, and ask for a testimonial while the project is fresh.
Checklist
- ☐ Welcome packet sent
- ☐ Intake questionnaire returned
- ☐ Scope and price agreed in writing
- ☐ Deposit or first payment received (if you use one)
- ☐ Project brief approved
- ☐ Kickoff call held, action items sent
- ☐ Feedback form shared
- ☐ Final files delivered and invoice sent
- ☐ Testimonial requested
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