The Do’s and Dont’s of Client Onboarding

So, you've just landed a new client — WOOHOO! 🎉Now what? 😅Where do you go from here? It can sometimes feel SUPER overwhelming, but we're here to share some do's and don’ts of client onboarding. Our goal is to help you establish a prosperous client-to-provider relationship built on trust and organization, benefiting both you and your clients. Shall we get started?

THE DO’S

Be Proactive and Prepared: Send Preliminary Questionnaires

Ideally, you want to demonstrate professionalism and preparedness for clients even before they step through the door. Think of it like planning for a surprise party 🥳, except you're fully aware of their arrival and the business they bring. Be proactive in requesting necessary information, such as login details, creative assets, and content requests — essentially, the standard essentials — through a straightforward questionnaire. It’s similar to sending out RSVPs for an event, but tailored for work purposes. Lucky for you, we’ve got an Onboarding Checklist featuring FOUR new client questionnaires available for download that’s your new best friend in this scenario.

Efficient Communication: Have Canned Email Templates to Leverage

And just like you wouldn’t handwrite every invitation to a party, don’t waste time rewriting the same emails over and over. Have some canned email templates ready to go, so you can hit send faster than ever. These templates should articulate your expectations for clear and consistent communication throughout each phase of the onboarding process. Frequent, open communication builds trust and benefits you in the long run! 

Organizational Excellence: Have a Checklist to Never Miss a Step

Overall, the best advice we can give is to have a clear checklist to keep both you and the client organized. This goes for your internal communication too! Make sure your workflows are smooth, and ready for that client to get started. Our Onboarding Checklist and Asana Task Toolkit are the perfect pair for making things easy for you and your team. The Client Onboarding Checklist provides a step-by-step roadmap, showcasing the best practices and tools to ensure a smooth onboarding process for both you and your client. Additionally, our Asana Task Toolkit  includes the exact Asana board we duplicate for each client, streamlining processes such as onboarding and recurring tasks.

THE DON’TS

Don’t Skimp on Onboarding Fees

First and foremost, ensure you don't overlook the importance of charging an onboarding fee. While integrating new clients into your systems and platforms may seem like standard procedure, it requires considerable effort and countless additional tasks. This investment of time and resources pays off in the form of long-term success, so it's crucial to charge the onboarding fee!

Don’t Begin Services Without Signed Contracts and Paid Invoices

Before anything else, DON’T begin services without a signed contract and paid invoice. Just like any other business, you don’t begin until the paperwork is signed. So why would you let that happen to you? If you’ve ever been ghosted, you know the struggle. Get these essentials before diving into any work that might end up wasted.

Don’t Underestimate Communicating Your Boundaries From Day 1

Perhaps the most crucial DON’T is being overly flexible with your boundaries at the start of the relationship. NO, NO, NO — just thinking about it is nerve-wracking. 😰Communicating your boundaries isn't just about setting rules; it's about establishing expectations. Remember, if you give someone an inch, they'll take a mile. Setting firm boundaries from the start not only prevents misunderstandings but also sets the tone for future interactions, ensuring mutual respect and cooperation. You want to start off on the right foot. It’s easy to get lost in the excitement and dive too deep too soon, but setting clear boundaries ensures both you and the client succeed. Do what's important from the get-go.

We hope you found these tips helpful in fostering trust, transparency, and endurance in your client partnerships. The ultimate aim of these tips is to foster a successful and mutually beneficial relationship. By incorporating these recommended practices, you can streamline the onboarding process and lay a robust foundation for collaboration. These practices not only protect your time and resources but also cultivate an environment of professionalism and respect. 

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xx The Homies