Web Freelancers of DevRant:
How did you start getting clients and deal with shitty things like the client dragging things out forever.

Also, do you use a contract you found online or did you make your own? What do you think is most important to include in a contract?

Cheers!

1. I started off on themeforest. Than I started discussing it with friends and friends of friends.. Word of mouth really helped me in getting clients.

2. I use a contract I found online, tweaked it to my needs. Gave it to my lawyer to review.

Contracts.... And invoicing....
Hellobonsai.com

Marketing, contracts and getting paid are critical.

You can learn how to market through books and blogs by other freelancers. If you do not want to market use a freelancer or take on a partner. Try to establish a niche that differentiates you. Lots more on this. Ask us.

All projects must have beginning and end dates. Scope must established in a requirements document. If client wants to change or add features those should be billed as required.

Have fun and let us know how it is going.

@helloworld thanks hadn't heard of that one, I keep hearing about fresh books but the lack of contract inclusion put me off.

This site seems really good 🙂

@Jumpshot44 thanks for the tips, do you know of any good books/freelance blogs I could take a look at?

I've had like 3 clients now that have all fallen through because they just don't go forward with anything and it's really starting to get me down.

For example, I had a guy who wanted a site for his pub - we agreed a price and what was to be done, then I just wouldn't hear off him for weeks and months on end and every so often he'd pop up. The last time was I put a contract together and did the front page of a site for him and he was sounding all enthusiastic said he'd sign and pay 50% as agreed, then nothing again. Haven't heard off him since.

How do you deal with customers who want to see something before payment? Moving on I'm trying to get an initial payment before any decent amount of work because I'm fed up of being messed around.

@4screendev that's a good idea but I'm more of a developer than a designer 🙁