Chapter 1 of 8 · 4 checks · 2 min
Qualify the client before you quote
Decide whether a lead is worth your time before you write a proposal. A short qualifying conversation filters out most bad projects.
Confirm the client can describe the problem and the result they wantMust
Why it matters and how to check
A good client can tell you what problem they are solving, who will use the result and how they will know it worked. "I need an app like Uber" is not a problem statement. "Our 12 delivery riders need to see today's orders on their phones" is.
Ask: what happens today, what should happen instead, and what would make this project a success six months from now? You are done when you can write the goal in two sentences and the client agrees with them.
Do
- Ask who the users are and what they do today
- Write the goal back to the client and get a yes
Avoid
- Quoting from a one-line message
Ask for the budget range and deadline earlyMust
Why it matters and how to check
Many freelancers avoid talking about money until the proposal, then discover the client expected a tenth of the price. Ask for a budget range and the real deadline in the first conversation.
If the client will not share a budget, give a rough range yourself ("projects like this usually cost between X and Y for me") and see how they react. You are done when you know the budget and deadline are realistic for the scope, or you have decided to walk away.
Do
- Give a ballpark range before writing a full proposal
- Ask what happens if the deadline slips
Avoid
- Spending hours on a proposal for a client whose budget does not fit
Find out who approves the work and who pays the invoiceShould
Why it matters and how to check
The person you talk to is not always the person who approves the design or signs off payment. If a hidden boss appears at the end and rejects the work, you can lose weeks.
Ask directly: "Who else needs to approve this, and who handles payments?" Try to include the decision maker in at least the scope and final review calls. You are done when you know the names of the approver and the payer.
Do
- Get the approver into the scope call
Avoid
- Taking final approval from someone who cannot give it
Check the client is real: company, history and reviewsMust
Why it matters and how to check
Spend ten minutes checking who you are dealing with. Look for a company website, a LinkedIn presence for the person, and on platforms like Upwork, the client's payment verification, hiring history and reviews from past freelancers.
A new account with no history is not automatically bad, but combine it with other warning signs before you trust it. You are done when you can confirm the client's identity and have seen no red flags from the last chapter of this checklist.
Do
- Read reviews other freelancers left for the client
- Check the company website and contact details match
Avoid
- Starting work for someone you cannot identify