I popped an advert in my local quarterly newsletter at a princely sum of 35 pounds... And if im honest thinking i wouldn't get anyone...
Well it came out on Friday, and by Sunday night i had my first email...!!
I have a potential meeting with this client sometime this week and they have stated to me that they started a franchise business in October last year. My question to the fraternity is do franchise's get treated differently from sole traders? Essentially they are ST's but they have to pay the franchise costs, so are they TD? is there anything i should now about franchises or even anyone out there that deals with them?
Any help would be greatly recieved! :D
Hi Clawz, hope this comes to fruition for you. Not sure what TD means. Unless otherwise indicated, treat it as sole trade. A quick suggestion if you've not already -- have a look at the franchisers web page to gain further understanding of the business. Does the franchise supply any record-keeping guidance or software? In what line is it?
I know very little at the moment, so when i find out more about the franchise and how it works etc, then i will post. I assume they dont have any software etc, otherwise they wouldn't have contacted me... :/
Turns out they do wedding venue styling... like the chairs, and pretty pink bows etc, etc... I'm a bloke, i dont plan for that sort of thing at a wedding! lol
They also mentioned about being rather 'lax' in the area of record keeping and presentation... :/ Not good, but if I can make a good impression i'll have a new client! :D
Right meeting tonight! First prospective client, whos NOT family or friend! If im honest Im a little worried, but my worry comes from not knowing what to expect. Any hint or tips from anyone out there who can impart their wisdom to a young Jedi to help put his mind at rest?? lol
Just meet them with a smile and a firm hand shake.
Then find out how you can help them and then make them think that you are the best person for them.
Have a list of information that you would need to get them signed up eg name, address, date of birth, NI number and any other relevant info. Usually good if you have a standard checklist with you to complete.
Have a price in mind of what you would like to charge then list down everything that they need price it up and try to get them to sign up by giving them a discount by paying monthly by S/O. Have a standing order form ready to give them so they can complete and give to their bank.
Important thing is to get them to commit to you at the meeting as if you leave them to think about it then this leaves a window open for them to change their mind.
If they then go with you get engagements letters etc out to them soon thereafter. (this is my downfall as i currently have a backlog of about 8 or 9 letters to get out).
Thanks for the reply Mark. I was thinking of taking stuff round, but i didn't want to be too pushy, but i guess your right, if they mull it over then they are more likey to say 'I've changed my mind'. Any idea where i can get some of these forms from? (for legal reasons, im sure some have to be word perfect and water tight!!)
Just have with you a checklist of information you need for them to include
Name
Name of business
Personal Addresss
Address of Business
Telephone number (both personal and business)
Mobile Number
Email Address
Website Address
Date of Birth
NI Number
UTR Number (if registered)
Company URT Number (if applicable)
Companies House Number (if applicable)
Payroll Number (if applicable)
VAT reg number (if applicable)
The letter of engagement you can send out in due course.
The main thing is to get them to commit at the meeting. Dont leave it open ended as they are more likely to change their mind.
At the end of the day they have asked you to meet with them so they must be keen for you to take on their business. Be proactive and show that you are very keen to take on their business.
Well the deed is done!! I'm glad you suggested those points Mark, as she signed up right away!! Told her what i could offer her and that having me 'on side' would help her concentrate on the 'pointy end' of the business!
Thanks ever so much for your help! well chuffed! First proper client other than friends or family... lol. Now the real work starts! (just as an idea, just so i know im not underselling myself, looking after the books, submitting tax returns, dealing with HMRC, quarterly management statments, and year end accounts, all for £300 a year, her hubby was well chuffed that it was so cheap... so this has me thinking... did i undersell? :/ )
I have a potential meeting with this client sometime this week and they have stated to me that they started a franchise business in October last year. My question to the fraternity is do franchise's get treated differently from sole traders? Essentially they are ST's but they have to pay the franchise costs, so are they TD? is there anything i should now about franchises or even anyone out there that deals with them?
Any help would be greatly recieved! :D
