I have a new client I'm meeting with tomorrow - do I work up a contract?

[wienerdog]

I'm meeting a potential new client, who is a video production person who works from home. I didn't want to meet them at their home, considering it a bit unprofessional, so I suggested meeting at a Barnes & Noble instead.

Should I work up a contract with him? How do you usually introduce a contract agreement with a new client?

[keith1]

Maybe talk about some terms first with him and then once you have an idea of what is going to happen tell him you'll be sending him a contract to sign. Or maybe you can get a basic contract that has blank spaces that you can fill in the details while you're with him.

[morea]

Usually at a first meeting I sit down and talk to the client (usually at a quiet restaurant or coffee shop), determine their needs and explain what I can do for them.

I don't present the contract until they are ready to hire me to proceed with the job. But I usually carry a few in my briefcase in case they are needed.

[wienerdog]

Morea, are there any links to contracts on-line, or should I pick up a copy of the Graphics Arts Guild book?

[morea]

there are a few links here, near the bottom:

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=120028

another great resource is: http://creativelatitude.com/links/index.html