Stop Attaching Files. Start Sending Links.
There is a golden rule among top-tier agencies: Never send a deliverable as an attachment until the final invoice is paid.
When you attach a file to an email, you lose leverage. The transaction is "complete" in the client's mind. They have the product.
How to Implement the Rule
Next time you send a draft, use this script:
"Hi [Client], here is the secure link to review the latest draft: [SecureViewPDF Link]. This link will remain active for 3 days for your comments. Once the milestone payment is cleared, I will send over the final source files."
This does three things:
- Professionalism: You look like an agency with proper protocols.
- Security: Your IP is safe.
- Payment: You tie the "real" file to the money.