When did this incredible series start, you ask? Just now! *Drumroll*
What is it called, you ask? It's a series called "What happens When-sdays".
Where did this idea originate? Good question. I'm glad you asked! The series 'What happens When-sdays' originated from off-the-wall situations happening to me and my photography business. Often times as a business in the first 5 years of taking off, we are faced with unique situations where the answers aren't always black or white. Sometimes the answers are gray, tricky, & hard to define. I want to share some of these situations with other small business owners to help them avoid or foresee the same obstacles in their future.
Let's take a moment to reinforce the importance of having a contract in place before serving a client. What happens when... you don't outline the details of a job through a contract?
Of course, not every business model needs this kind of preparation, but in the creative field it's a safe barrier between responsibilities, interpretations, deadlines, & details.
In the past, I saw contracts as these ugly pieces of paper with jargon I could hardly understand myself much less explain to someone who I wanted to sign that piece of paper. The big game changer for me was rewording standard professional contracts into something I was actually comfortable signing myself & explaining to my client. Gone are the days of "therefores" and "shalls". It's not me and it certainly is NOT my brand.
Though restructuring contracts is a great idea for those of you looking to add personal touch into the business side of things, it can bite you in the you-know-what cheeks if you're not careful. Having a lawyer look over your contracts is your #1 best bet!
What types of situations have I been SAVED from by having a contract. Oh let me tell you!
- Client no-show/no call day of photoshoot
- Wedding cancellations after many hours of communication, planning, and research has already been underway
- Clients demanding extra favors that weren't part of our original agreements
- Rescheduling dates last minute
- Not getting paid for months
- Not getting paid at all
- Danger during scheduled events (Drunk wedding guest - not the fun kind!)
- Timelines changing last minute
- and many more!
The truth is, I learned the hard way! Each one of these situations happened before I ever started using contracts and I was burned... to a crisp! These situations do still happen from time to time because life is life. The difference in having a detailed contract in place to outline how to handle these situation protects your reputation, your business, & most of all your sanity.
Contracts have not only saved me from many wild situations but they've also saved my clients. By setting a contract in place that outlines both my clients and my expectations, we are both 100% aware of our agreement and respect that.
So without further ado, here's a pretty photograph to add to this post! ;)
Keep your eyes peeled next Wednesday for another "What happens Whens-day" series 02!
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