The things they don't teach you in college. A contract is the most important thing in your business. Don't do work without one.

You have no idea what the client is willing to pay?

You could try something like, 'gee, I was just looking through your folder and realized I don't have a signed contract for this work, mind if I fax/email it over?" Make sure you already have it typed up and send it immediately.

Yes, what PD said, get a contract signed right away.

You should always give the client a quote before embarking on work. This way there are no suprises at the end when you invoice.

Basically here's the path that I follow.

1) ask in detail what the clients wants, doesn't want, who their client base is, what their goals are for the design project, and what they are looking for.

2) write up this informatin in a brief and as detailed as need be to encompase the scope of the project.

3) write up a quote for the project in conjuction with the brief and explain to the customer that any extras beyond the brief will be extra.

4) write up the contract that finalizes the details of price, how many revisions, when to make payments (sometimes long projects require progress payments), how the final files will be presented, who owns the copyrights to the files and how the copyright is used (aka: usage rights). Also if there's special clauses like deposits, buying of stock photos or media, purchasing of fonts, printing requirements, etc.

5) Keep the customer up to date on the project progress, if the customer becomes one of those who likes to tweak over your shoulder - be firm in charging them for the extra time. And let them know of any extra request charges. Nothing worse than customer's sticker shock when the final bill is nearly twice the quote from extra changes.

6) if a project is extended or even discontinued make sure you send out invoice and billing for that project.

7) A good rule of mine with new customers is to not give out final copy of the project until payment is made in full. Most online customers I ask for 100% up front or divide it into project phases and they can pay as we go along. Other customers that have routinely paid on their invoice promptly can be given leeway if desired.

8) Before the project is handed off I have my customers sign a release form from a final Proof. This ensures that the customer has looked everything over and evertyhing is approved to be good to go. It also releases you of any liability of recreating the project or reprinting it because something was wrong.

9) Once everything is good to go, all proofs signed off, all payments made, I make sure that the customer receives a final set of files for the project. These are not the original workable files, but are the final print file, print instructions/colors/etc, copy of the brief, quote and contract, and my contact info.

When you run a business, you'll also need to keep track of your financials. This applys even to freelance. This thread as more information about keeping records for your taxes and may also help in determining how much you should charge.
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=26080

During my freelance work, I also worked a day job as an office manager, one of my main duties was to make sure everyone else was keeping the books straight.

Also you may want to consider looking into your local business associations and see if there's any free ( or not) classes to take on running a business.

If you are completely new at charging clients, don't underestimate your work. Call to other print and design shops and ask for briefs, and talk to printers to get an idea how much things cost in your area (I'd only recommend doing this once or twice - don't let other shops do your bidding for you). Ask what their hourly rate is. Sometimes - even in freelance you'll need some help, getting contacts this way is also a good thing.

And just a warning - many of those looking for online help generally are the one's to expect to pay less for something or have plans to not pay at all.

In any business - cover your butt, first - then take care of the customer, second.

Hope this was helpful.
=)
Jade

Thanks you guys!

Good luck on getting paid. It's at this point the client says, "but I don't want to pay that much".

Suggestion - buy one of all of these books for a kick-start in the business of design:

The Business Side of Creativity - Cameron Foote

The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business - Cameron Foote

Pricing & Ethical Guidelines - GAG

The Graphic Designer's Guide to Pricing, Estimating and Budgeting - Theo Williams

Talent Is Not Enough: Business Secrets for Designers - Shel Perkins

The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success - Jeff Fisher

And or buy Cameron's CD's at www.creativebusiness.com, or buy individual articles that address the particular situations you'll find yourself in as a newbie to business.

And if you have the time, cruise through BoDo and Creative Latitude (in my sig)

Question - were there any courses on business at your school?

Ask if they'd like to have their kneecaps broken.

First congrats on your logo assignment. Is this your first client?

I would say first off you have learned a good lesson. That is, do not enter into a relationship until you BOTH have agreed on the terms of business. You need to do this to protect yourself and your time investment.

Sometimes excitement does get the best of us but this is why you need to set up a type of business process like some of the others above have suggested.

It is really just a routine that you go through with every new business client. Having a methodology in place will prevent a LOT of headaches down the line.

My advice for this client would be to call them ASAP and verbally work out a price. Just say something like "I want to be clear on payment for this project so there are no misunderstandings . . ." You may have to take a little hit on this one but . . .

Next time you will know better.

All the best,

Doug