SVA Forum

samantha · Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 21 Location: Nottinghamshire

Well the title says it all.

I have only just set up and sent out my first lot of marketing letter on Thursday. At 4.30 I had a phone call from a lead asking to book me. I at least answered the phone ok and in the end it went ok'ish. Next time I will be more prepared (I bet you guys remember your first booking - kness knocking like jelly). The thing is when I asked if I can send her a booking form to sign and send back she asked if email would be ok so I said yes type your signature and send back from your mail box. She seemed a bit taken back that I was asking her to sign a booking form. Surely a booking form isn't asking too much. It's only a simple word doc that she needs to put a mark on.

Anyway I then sent it over and thought I would fill in the relevant details to help such as Company name address etc. and sent it. At 5.30 I hadn't got it back - me being impatient and excited about first booking, probably.

When I opened the attachment I had sent her the booking form was one where she would need to fill out the details herself as it hadn't sent the saved version.

I phoned at 5.20 to make sure that she had got the fax but she was on the phone. I didn't ask for her to phone me back to say that I had sent it and hoped that everything was ok.

What do you think. I asked a friend about the booking form and she seems to think that maybe people can't be bother to sign and send back blar blar a booking form. But surely I must have this. Does anyone know of a simpler way - I can't think of one. I know I am being to 'eager' but I really want this as a first booking to get my foot in the door.

I was going to phone her tomorrow afternoon to ask if everything was ok. Do you think I should. I don't think I should send the form again tonight??? I don't want her to think I'm pestering her.

I guess if push comes to shove and I don't get the assignment I will have to treat it as a learning curve. With me whittling I will no doubt get an email tomorrow.

Any opinions or suggestions on the booking form would be gratefully received,

Sam

ASAP Admin · Moderator Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 854 Location: Glasgow

Hi Sam,

I send clients an agreement to sign, which details the nature of the assignment, payment terms, confidentiality clauses etc. I havent had any problems so far.

Your potential client may be busy, and hasnt had a chance to send the form back to you yet. I would wait a few days and then contact her to give her a courtesy call to see if they have any other questions they require to be answered before they sign up with you.

I would also ensure that you get a signature on any documents, and not them just typing in their name - this can be done electroncially by them either having a scanned signature put onto the document at the relevant page, or they can print, sign and scan the document and have this emailed back to you.

L
_________________
Lyndsey Gilchrist
ASAP Admin
Call Team

samantha · Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 21 Location: Nottinghamshire

I agree, this is what I first thought people would do, sign the document and scan it. Surely it can't be too much for people to do this.

The way I was going to work it, is for each assignment for a client, get a booking form filled at. As obviously each assingment will be different.

How do you think I should proceed. I will leave it a couple of days as you suggest, however on this one she is expecting to just return it from her mail box. As I have said that this would be ok. How do you propose I go forward. Once on site I was going to leave her with some blank booking forms to complete and just fax back, but even then it wouldn't have the charges so I think how I had planned it would be the best way.

Can't I've got my wotsits in a twist on the first one.

caroline · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 3:01 pm Post subject:

I'd get something in writing. Give as many options as possible (posting / faxing / emailing scanned version / emailing filled in version with email saying "I agree" etc) as many people are a bit technophobe - me included!

Otherwise you haven't got anything to say she agreed to pay you for the work.... :cry:

sheena · Star Poster Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Posts: 144 Location: Bath

I go into overdrive... my clients have to sign my standard contract and a service agreement. I also give them a copy of my T&C's

Sheena
_________________
Sheena Russell
the inValuable Asset to your business

Sally@Stonetext · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 12:35 pm Post subject:

If you've waded your way through past posts on the forum you may be aware that I have some "history" in this field and ended up taking a client to court - not something I'd recommend if you like a good night's sleep.

No matter how keen you are to secure your first client ALWAYS make sure you get a signed contract before starting any work. Many VAs would also insist on a 25% or even 50% deposit. The first few clients are the hardest, because you're so excited about getting work. Offer your client alternatives to the electronic signature as many may not be that technologically competent. I wouldn't leave it too long to follow up, especially if they want to post it back to you.

The key is to know your booking procedures and stick to them. That way you'll come across as a professional who's been doing this for years.

Hope it all goes well.
_________________
Sally
Stonetext Online Admin Services www.stonetext.co.uk
Spida Web & Graphic Design www.spidawebdesign.co.uk

Please help to support SVA by donating to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec