How to start a project right
Most project problems are traceable to unclear expectations at the start. A strong onboarding sequence — proposal, contract, kickoff — eliminates most of the ambiguity that causes scope creep, payment delays, and relationship friction.
Send the proposal cover email to frame your proposal before the client reads it. Send the contract as soon as the project is confirmed — not after work has started. Send the kickoff email to align on scope, timeline, and first steps before a single hour of work begins.
The goal is that both you and the client start the project with identical expectations. These emails create a paper trail that protects both parties if anything goes wrong later.