Client onboarding checklist

One page. Check every box before you start unpaid work. Share this link with other freelancers — it’s free.

Intake (before kickoff)

Goals written in one sentence Success metric agreed (how we’ll know it worked) Decision maker named Invoice approver named Hard deadline(s) listed Budget band / tier selected (Essential / Recommended / Accelerated) Out-of-scope examples (at least 3)

Access & assets

Brand files / examples received Repo / CMS / analytics access confirmed Third-party accounts (domain, email, ads) listed Existing docs / prior vendor notes collected

Kickoff confirmation

Kickoff email sent with week-1 plan Communication channel + response window agreed Change-order sentence included (“I’ll send a mini quote for extras”) Client replied “confirmed”

Week 1 ship check

Day-1 access verified Mid-week 3-bullet update sent One feedback round completed Week close: shipped / next / out-of-scope noted

Read full playbook

Want the scripts filled in?

This checklist is free forever. If you want email scripts, rate card, and proposal templates ready to edit, they’re in the shop — no hard sell.

Browse packs Free rate card guide