Start a long term project
This is the stuff that’s not a flyer or a one-off design. Branding, big websites and web maintenance usually fall under this banner. For everybody’s peace of mind, I like to do this kind of work with a contract if possible (usually a 6 month contract and agreed upon by both of us).
Why use the contract system I hear you say… Well, some clients use it to make me a part of their team (for less than 5k per year!) for extended periods and personally, I enjoy working with businesses over a period of months because it lets me get a feel for what they need and what might work for them creatively. I also get a bit of extra stability, everyone is clear about what graphic (or code) belongs to whom and a 6 month block of time at a fixed rate is one less headache for whoever deals with your finances.
If this all sounds a bit abstract or far-reaching then just ring me and ask me about it. I’m happy to explain and chat to you about your options. As a guide for project work and maintenance, I parcel out my time in 6 month blocks. See below for the contracts I offer.