Playbook / Lessons / First customers: the offer, the price
Cash-flow businessAsk for the first week in advance
In a podcast conversation with Patrick McKenzie, Dunn says the tip that solved his cash flow problems was to prepay everything. He no longer does a week of work unless that week is paid in advance. He says he tells clients he is not in the business of debt collection and asks for a week up front.
“If the check clears, then we will work that week.”— Brennan Dunn, Kalzumeus Podcast 3: Growing Consulting Practices, with Brennan Dunn, Oct 2012
Do this
Tell your next client this week that work begins when the first week's payment clears and put that line in your quote.