Mistakes: Part 1 (of many to come)

When we started this whole business thing, we didn't spend a lot of time messing with contracts. We just started offering services and quoting prices to whomever would listen. This is the essence of "Mistake: Part 1".

After we'd get a quote accepted, work would begin. Then the scope would change a little. Then a little more. After a few weeks, the project scope completely ballooned into a big, ugly beast and we were only being paid for a small, tame puppy.

Now we know the value of a contract isn't just the whole legally binding parties to agreements thing. Contracts are great because they outline what exactly you're going to do before you get started. This absolutely will save tons of headaches and lost time down the road.

Today we have a contract template that does just that. It isn't loaded down with reams of legal mumbo jumbo. It outlines in clear human terms what we will do for the client and what the client will do for us.

At first, I thought asking a client to sign a document like this would make us seem less trustworthy, or big and "corporate" acting. This turned out to be a poor assumption. I've found that most small business owners appreciate the thoughtfulness and professionalism presented in a contract.