5 Ways to handle difficult Clients as a creative

Dear Creative,?

Have you ever worked with a client who had a problem with all your deliverables? They probably said something was missing but couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Their usual sentence is “I will know what I want when I see it”. I know you can relate. Well, I can. Some time ago, I worked with a client that almost made me re-evaluate my life, but after getting insights from some of my colleagues, I resolved the problem, and the client was satisfied with the results. Over the years, I have learned better ways to handle difficult clients, and I want to share them with you.?

You thanking God because you won’t repeat my mistakes.?

Here are five ways you can handle difficult clients as a creative:?

1. Choose your clients?

If you are working with a client with a low budget (lower than you will typically take), you might feel like they are difficult even when they ask you for the most basic request. But this would only happen if you work with every client you find instead of choosing your clients.?

This is why you need to know the kind of people you want to work with from the beginning. Ask yourself these questions: Who is my Ideal Client? What’s their niche? What are their expectations of me? What are my expectations of them? If you can answer these questions, you will end up choosing your clients wisely because you will be selective of the people you work with. After choosing your clients, the next step is to understand their needs.?

? Me after choosing my wonderful clients.?

?2. Recognize the needs and expectations of your clients.?

Imagine this for a second. Your client doesn’t like abstract images in their design. But you don’t know that. So, you keep designing using abstract images, and the client keeps on rejecting your beautiful designs. You will probably think that this client is difficult, but the truth is they don’t like abstract images and failed to communicate this. In this scenario, no one is wrong. The only thing is that you are not aware of this particular expectation.?

To avoid this, be clear about your client’s needs and expectations. This is the secret to having a smooth ride throughout the project. You can’t solve a problem you don’t understand. So, if you keep trying, you might solve a problem that did not exist in your client’s mind. And that’s probably why they seem difficult. But it’s just a misunderstanding. Quick tip, If the project is already on and you sense that there’s a misunderstanding, call for a meeting. In the meeting, make sure you both come to an understanding and the project priorities are set straight. Once you do, make sure you have written evidence of it. I will tell you why it’s important in the next point.?

?3. Set clear boundaries and put them in writing?

I once worked with a client who wanted unlimited reviews. And guess what? They kept contacting me weeks after the project to review a document that was already finalized. It was my fault, though, because I didn’t set boundaries. I learnt from my mistake, and now, whenever a client asks for what we didn’t agree on, I quote an email that was sent to show that we never decided on it.?

This is why contracts are important. No matter how small the project may be, draft an agreement.? State what you are willing and not willing to do. State how many meetings and reviews you are willing to have every week. Also, when you attend a meeting, send a mail stating everything that was said in the meeting. Make sure all your deliverables are approved in writing. This ensures that you can go back and reference them in the future.??

? My face anytime I forget to draft a contract.?

4. Be honest??

Be honest with your client. If you can’t meet up with a deadline, tell them on time and explain why. When they make a request you cannot fulfill, let them know but always make sure you communicate with an open mind. Remember that they are your clients, and it is your job to satisfy them.?

Being honest makes you trustworthy. If your clients believe you are sincere, they will always give you the benefit of the doubt. Even when you don’t meet an expectation, they might be understanding because they know it’s unusual for you.??

While being honest, your mindset should always be, “how can I solve this problem for them?” It will remind you that you both have the same goal.?

5. Remember that you are both on the same team?

A lot of times, you might forget that you and your client have the same goals; that you are, in fact, on the same team. If you always have this in mind, you won’t see your client as difficult. Instead, you will always be open to hearing them out and finding solutions to their problems. You can also remind your client that they employed your service because they wanted you to solve a problem for them, and you can only do this with their help.?

I assure you that if you implement all these, you will have smoother rides with your clients.?

Now, to the best part, here’s the meme of the week. Save and share!?

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Now tell me, have you ever worked with a difficult client? How did you handle the situation??

Let me know in the comment section!?

?Have a restful weekend.?

?Keep creating,?

Timi.?