Off-market contract-when/what to sign?

[Greg Clark]

I'm interested in going after off-market deals without a real estate agent. My plan is to start marketing and reaching out to individuals. I'm a bit unclear as to the ideal process though. Do I set up a time to meet with them, look at the property and make an offer on the spot and try to get them to sign? Or is it best to make an offer the next day or something? 

I guess my concern is that I'd like to get them to sign something as quickly as possible, but I want to remain flexible enough to be able to get creative (offer to buy subject to, owner financed, cash, whatever). 

What is the ideal order of operations? Any books out there that go over this process in detail? Also, I'm in Utah, if that matters.