What to send a client before work starts
The fastest way to prevent “I thought you meant…” emails is a short pre-kickoff pack. Send it once, same structure every time.
The pack (one email, four attachments or links)
- Signed proposal / agreement PDF — the version you both have
- Kickoff agenda — 5 bullets: goals, inputs you need, timeline, points of contact, how feedback works
- Intake form or brief — logos, brand links, access list, must-haves
- Shared folder link — their client folder (Viewer + Inbox if they upload)
Sample email (short)
Thanks for confirming — excited to start.
Attached / linked: the signed PDF, a short kickoff agenda, and the shared folder. Please drop brand assets in the Inbox folder by Thursday.
Kickoff call: [date/time]. Reply with anything I’m missing.
Ad slot — in-article
What not to send
Don’t attach five draft versions. Don’t paste the whole proposal into the email body. Don’t ask for “everything you have” — ask for a short list.
- Signed PDF filed
- Kickoff note sent
- Folder link shared
- Assets deadline set