# Client Intake Form > Creates client intake forms and questionnaires that gather essential project information efficiently. - Skill: `reaperinvest/client-intake-form` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/client-intake-form` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/client-intake-form/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/client-intake-form --- # Client Intake Form ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Create an intake form that captures essential project information before kickoff - Design questionnaires for onboarding new clients efficiently - Reduce discovery call time by gathering key details in advance - Standardize information collection across all new engagements **DO NOT** use this skill for customer surveys, feedback forms, or lead generation forms. This is for service provider intake — gathering what you need to start working. --- ## Core Principle A GREAT INTAKE FORM ASKS THE RIGHT QUESTIONS IN THE RIGHT ORDER — IT REPLACES A 60-MINUTE DISCOVERY CALL WITH A 10-MINUTE FORM THAT GIVES YOU BETTER INFORMATION. --- ## Phase 1: Form Requirements ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Service type** | "What service will you deliver after collecting this info?" | No default — must be provided | | **Critical information** | "What must you know before starting work?" | No default — must be provided | | **Client type** | "Who fills this out — business owners, marketing managers, individuals?" | Business owners | | **Form length target** | "How long should this take to complete?" | 10-15 minutes | | **Delivery method** | "Where will this form live — Google Forms, Typeform, PDF, email?" | Google Forms or Typeform | **GATE: Confirm service type and critical info needs before designing the form.** --- ## Phase 2: Form Structure ### Section Framework Organize questions into logical sections: ``` ## Client Intake Form — [Service Name] ### Section 1: About You - Business name - Your name and role - Website URL - Industry/niche ### Section 2: Your Goals - What is the primary goal for this project? - What does success look like to you? - Is there a deadline or launch date? ### Section 3: Current Situation - What have you tried before? - What is working well that we should keep? - What is NOT working that prompted this project? ### Section 4: Project Specifics - [Service-specific questions — see templates below] - [Scope-defining questions] - [Preference or style questions] ### Section 5: Logistics - Budget range (provide tiers, not open-ended) - Timeline preference - Preferred communication method - How did you hear about us? ``` ### Question Design Rules 1. **Use closed-ended questions for facts** — multiple choice, dropdowns, yes/no 2. **Use open-ended questions for context** — limit to 3-5 per form 3. **Provide examples** — "Describe your target audience (e.g., women 25-40 who shop online for skincare)" 4. **Make critical fields required** — but keep optional fields for nice-to-have info 5. **Group related questions** — do not jump between topics randomly --- ## Phase 3: Service-Specific Templates ### Design/Branding Intake - Do you have existing brand guidelines? (Upload option) - Share 3 websites or brands whose design style you admire - What colors, fonts, or imagery should we use or avoid? - Who is your target audience? - Where will this design be used — web, print, social? ### Copywriting/Content Intake - What is the purpose of this content — sell, inform, educate, entertain? - Describe your brand voice in 3 adjectives - Who is reading this? What do they care about? - Are there specific keywords or phrases to include? - Share examples of content you like (URLs or uploads) ### Consulting/Strategy Intake - What is the biggest challenge your business faces right now? - What is your revenue and team size? - What have you already tried to solve this problem? - What resources (budget, team, time) are available for implementation? - What would make this engagement a success in your eyes? ### Web Development Intake - What platform does your site run on? - What features or functionality do you need? - Do you have content ready (copy, images, videos)? - How many pages does the project include? - Do you need e-commerce, booking, or membership functionality? --- ## Phase 4: Form Optimization ### Completion Rate Tips - Keep forms under 15 questions for best completion rates - Use progress bars to show how much is left - Auto-save responses so clients can return later - Send a reminder if the form is not completed within 48 hours - Thank them immediately upon submission with a confirmation and next steps ### Post-Submission Workflow 1. Form submitted — trigger automatic confirmation email 2. Review responses within 24 hours 3. Flag any missing or unclear answers for follow-up 4. Schedule kickoff call only after form is reviewed 5. Reference form answers during kickoff to show you prepared ### Form Checklist - [ ] Every question serves a specific purpose — no filler - [ ] Required fields are limited to truly essential info - [ ] Open-ended questions include example answers - [ ] Budget question uses ranges, not open text - [ ] File upload option is included for assets and references - [ ] Confirmation message includes next steps and timeline - [ ] Form is mobile-friendly --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Too many open-ended questions** — 10 text boxes guarantee short, unhelpful answers. Use specific, guided prompts. - **No budget question** — asking about budget early saves everyone time. Use ranges so clients feel comfortable. - **Asking for info you will not use** — every question should connect to a decision you make during the project. - **No confirmation or next steps** — submitting a form into a void makes clients anxious. Tell them what happens next. - **Duplicating the discovery call** — if you still ask the same questions on the call, the form is not doing its job. --- ## Recovery - **Client skips the form:** Make it a prerequisite — "I'll review your responses before our kickoff call." No form, no call. - **Answers are vague or unhelpful:** Follow up with 2-3 targeted clarifying questions. Do not re-send the whole form. - **Client pushes back on form length:** Shorten to the absolute essentials and gather the rest during the kickoff call. - **Form tool limitations:** Use a simple Google Form or even a well-formatted email with numbered questions. The tool matters less than the questions. - **Different clients need different forms:** Create 2-3 variations by service type rather than one catch-all form.