Hmmm Client Acting Funny?

[Deleted member 906759]

So I managed to get a decent playing client.

About a week ago . . .

He got me all the accounts I needed (SEMRush, MicrositeMasters and a few others that I requested)
but we haven't signed anything yet.

Last time, yesterday he said he's just working on an NDA and he'll email me the contract (It was my 2nd face to face meeting with him).

It's been a week of these 'soft excuses'.

Should I ditch this guy or wait a few more days (Perhaps one more week?)

I officially started work today so yeah.

Hmmmmmm

 

[SolidTactics]

It sounds to me that you have already started working for him, and you are still waiting on this NDA? Regardless of the situation... If he is a decent paying client, I wouldn't ditch him just yet, I would concentrate and put your effort into prospecting and finding additional work. That's the smart thing to do, get more clients, and whenever this first client is serious he will reach out to you. And if you get too busy with the other clients, you can always sell the first client off as a lead to another freelancer so you make money either way...I know how you feel about ditching him, that's my advice

 

[Wilson Grant Fisk]

Call your client and straighten things out.
Has he paid upfront?
If not, get the contract signed with a clear schedule of the work you will be carrying out, start dates, review dates, payment dates etc

 

[Deleted member 906759]

It sounds to me that you have already started working for him, and you are still waiting on this NDA? Regardless of the situation... If he is a decent paying client, I wouldn't ditch him just yet, I would concentrate and put your effort into prospecting and finding additional work. That's the smart thing to do, get more clients, and whenever this first client is serious he will reach out to you. And if you get too busy with the other clients, you can always sell the first client off as a lead to another freelancer so you make money either way...I know how you feel about ditching him, that's my advice

Excellent advice. Especially about re--selling him. Yeah like I met him a week ago, he invited me to his office twice, we discussed our fees, he said he'll have a contract for me and just waiting on some NDA stuff. I am meeting another potential client next week (I got referred to them) so that's that. However, if by the end of next week, I don't get a contract from this initial client, I'll just let him go.

Also one more thing . . .

After we sign a contract, he's suppose to pay me right there right? Not like after 30 days of signing the contract like a typical 'job' would.

I have a meeting with him again this Tuesday so let's see. Thanks

 

[Deleted member 906759]

Call your client and straighten things out.
Has he paid upfront?

Thx for your reply Asif.

No nothing yet. I do have a meeting with him this Tuesday.

If not, get the contract signed with a clear schedule of the work you will be carrying out, start dates, review dates, payment dates etc

Yeah if he acts weird next week as well, then I have to do something.

Cheers!

 

[ConsultJoseph]

After we sign a contract, he's suppose to pay me right there right? Not like after 30 days of signing the contract like a typical 'job' would.

It depends on what is written on the contract. It can be anything from 100% upfront to 90 days after. Your choice.

In my experience with local clients (PH), I do 50% upfront then 50% after (since I can easily go to them and follow up on payments in case they take a long time paying). For overseas, I do 100% upfront.

I do notice more and more US businesses nowadays asking for half first then the rest later (which was almost non-existent in my experience 3 - 5 years ago).

 

[Paul-ang]

It depends on what is written on the contract. It can be anything from 100% upfront to 90 days after. Your choice.

In my experience with local clients (PH), I do 50% upfront then 50% after (since I can easily go to them and follow up on payments in case they take a long time paying). For overseas, I do 100% upfront.

I do notice more and more US businesses nowadays asking for half first then the rest later (which was almost non-existent in my experience 3 - 5 years ago).

By the way normally what platform do you guys use to get paid? Bitcoins? Paypal ? (3.8% !!!) Bank transfer ??

 

[Deleted member 906759]

By the way normally what platform do you guys use to get paid? Bitcoins? Paypal ? (3.8% !!!) Bank transfer ??

My clients are locals but running international sites. So since they are local, I usually get a cheque. I once did paypal but if you are charging 4 figures or more, Paypal gets a big cut and you lose decent money. Money you could've used to get a quality backlink

 

[ConsultJoseph]

By the way normally what platform do you guys use to get paid? Bitcoins? Paypal ? (3.8% !!!) Bank transfer ??

For local, checks / bank deposit.

International, paypal.

 

[davids355]

Well you can always wait for a client - but don't do any work until you have payment and / or contract signed.

 

[aimndfire]

IMHO you should hold some patience. he might be seriously busy with something else. Just dont start the work before you sign up

 

[Pinktoe]

Most likely busy.

 

[MR9]

The guy is most likely busy and there is no reason to be impatient. He did set up another meeting with you so there's that. Don't start working until the contract is signed, instead keep researching his project so you can resell him strongly at the next meeting. And it never hurts to keep looking for new clients ofc.

Good Luck.

 

[ChrisX]

Yeah, don't start work without payment or a contract - that's standard practice. Make that clear when you meet him and perhaps he'll figure out if he wants to move forward or string you along.