Here’s a guide to how my onboarding or welcome process works, so you are in the know. I believe in transparency and welcome any questions. You can locate my contract on my website and a welcome guide too.

Clients come to me in many ways. This might be through recommendation, past association or we’ve met in one of many ways either in a group or you’ve seen me on social media. Almost all make an enquiry through my contact form and at this point, anyone is welcome to arrange a 15 minute discovery chat with me using my diary link. These take place during set times to allow me to focus on current work.

I find that 15 minutes on Zoom is ideal for me and prospective clients to get to know each other without a huge commitment on either party in terms of time. Nobody has to travel great distances and most questions about the work, time and costs can be answered here. If a client requires an hour, then I charge £40 to cover the cost. This is deducted from the project cost if we mutually agreed to go ahead.

Here’s a quick guide on what

1. The proposal is sent out. This is based on any email enquiry and a discovery call if one was booked (this can happen before or after the proposal). The document comes from my administration system, Dubsado and will contain a list of options and packages if applicable.

2. If the proposal is accepted, a contract is issued and both myself and the client will sign it. This means the job is formally booked in and the terms and conditions of working with Hello Lovely apply. A invoice for a deposit is raised and paid.

3. A formal brief is completed. This has some more detailed questions around the project and specific to the type of work (website, book, marketing or branding) with a pre-supply check list.

4. I create a schedule agreed based on the dates discussed at earlier stages and sent over the client with a location for the supply of material. This process is organised by me on Google docs and material can be supplied into Google or Dropbox folders. If a payment plan has been requested, the invoice dates are scheduled to work around project milestones such as proofs or handovers.

5. The project commences with regular Zoom meetings and check-ins around the project agreement. If the project is at risk of scope creep (going over the terms of work agreed in the brief or extra stages) the client will be told well in advance and give choices so they can remain in their budget.

FAQs

Can clients meet before they agree to work with Hello Lovely?

Clients are welcome to book a fifteen minute chat with me. I limit this time in fairness to current clients, and it’s very easy to offer lots of advice and find the client doesn’t sign up and I’ve effectively worked for free. I can’t afford to do that and it’s not ethically acceptable.

Can clients meet for more than 15 minutes?

Yes. Prior to the work starting then it’s £40 fee before we meet which is deductible from the project cost.

Can clients move their schedule after signed the contract?

We can discuss but I cannot guarantee that I’m free to work on the project at this time. The schedule is part of the working agreement and contract. if the dates cannot be met then an invoice is raised for any work that was created and the project ends as detailed in the contract.

Can you create a design before the contract is signed?

No, but there are lots of examples of work in my case studies and portfolio and other examples are available so please ask. Design work takes place after the contract is signed and the deposit is paid. Until payment of the deposit, other clients take priority. There’s more here about my policy on pitch work. I also offer lots of advice online in my Gorgeous Guides and each month in Gorgeous, my newsletter.

Do you subcontract?

For some illustration work, I do and the client will be given a selection of illustrators portfolios, I manage this work. I will also recommend printers, proofreaders, editors and other suppliers and recommend that the client pays directly to them. This is because I expect the copy to be edited and/or copywritten before it come to me, and printing is a service that takes place after design. Website hosting is direct with the chosen server host for all platforms.

Do you offer retainer contracts

Yes! I do this for websites and happy to discuss.

Do you offer template design?

This will be coming up later in 2023, the best way to get in the know is by signing up to Gorgeous, my newsletter.

If you have any more questions, please comment or drop me an email.