tips for dealing with a nightmare client

// December 21st, 2009 // humour

I’ve been doing freelance web design + print design since I was 17. Maybe even 16. Who cares, I’m almost 25 and I can’t even remember back that far. But I’ve learned a few things and perhaps my knowledge can help other young designers out there.

  • If your client pulls out a “published” piece of work, maybe for their previous employer, with their logo design on it – stand clear. Save yourself the trouble because if you don’t know how to handle your client becoming the designer and you becoming their whore, it’s enough to make you want to quit.
  • If your client does become the designer, and you the whore, ask them to sketch exactly what they want. Then you can give them creative advice on it and go from there.
  • A client may not want to listen to your advice and before you know it, you have a flaming pink design that makes no sense. At this point it’s up to you whether you fire the client, or continue on but choose not to attach your name to the logo.
  • Make sure you have an iron clad contract that states your responsibilities as the designer and their responsibilites as the client. Refer back to it if things get out of hand but make sure it is fair. Design can be fun when it’s collaborative, no one likes to feel as though they’re living in a communist country (unless, in fact you are, and you like it that way…)
  • If you’re anything like me – “the cool boss” – then you have probably experienced a tad bit of bullying from the client. This is when you have to become “the stern boss” and pretty much put your foot down. You need to become more professional. Sure, this is difficult if you work from home, but try and keep emails and messages professional.
  • If you hand over some concepts and they say things like “You didn’t do what I asked” but you’re very damn sure you did because you took notes verbatim, there are a few things you can do in the future to stop this from happening:
    • ask the client if it’s ok if you record your meetings on a voice recorder from now on. Explain that this is so you don’t miss anything that is said.
    • If they don’t want to be recorded, take thorough notes of the meeting and send them meeting minutes and ask them to read over them to ensure that everything important has been noted.
  • If the time comes that you perhaps need to fire your client (because after all, you are more important than money or a thick portfolio of so-so work), I personally prefer a sit-down meeting and a 100% refund. If you’ve ever broken up with someone before, I suggest using the line “it’s not you, it’s me” if you want a clean break. Or if you want to give them a choice “either be nice or I’m gone” then choose your words carefully.

I hope this advice helps someone or anyone out there going through this. Any nightmare client stories?

Posted via web from Jessicatron’s PREposterous thoughts

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