8
votes
How to work with a micro-manage client
Sometimes the money is not worth it.
I offer discounted prices for well-behaved clients, and I overcharged the ones that are, well, no good people.
Here's how you've got to look at it, the client is ...
- 563
7
votes
Accepted
What to include in contract to identify the end of work?
Usually I work on a testing server that is not the final destination of the site. Once the client approve (by email is better but also verbally if it is a trusted client) the copy on the testing ...
- 2,294
7
votes
Accepted
Is it ok to publish job openings on my LinkedIn profile to try to earn hiring commissions?
In short, the answer is 'no', it's certainly not inappropriate to advertise potential vacancies on your linkedin page, but you need to understand that at that point you're basically moonlighting as a ...
- 893
7
votes
How to work with a micro-manage client
Generally, you cannot change clients; you can merely select the ones you want to work for and those you don't. The only factor where you are in full control is how you handle a client.
For some ...
- 3,967
6
votes
Is it unacceptable or not wise to email clients during the weekend?
Here's my opinion and practice....
I never respond or contact clients during any time I want to myself, ever.
That is to say.. I don't respond to or contact clients before 9am, after 5pm, on ...
- 17.5k
6
votes
Safest way to send Credit Card information when communication is through email
A zipped archive is only helpful if it is encrypted with a password, and the password is not sent via email. As well, the customer would need to ensure they're following the instructions exactly to ...
- 6,943
5
votes
Accepted
Client not Responding from more than last 36 Hours
Unless the client made assurances to be immediately contactable during this period, they have no urgent need to respond. There are anumber of things that might be diverting their attention.
I would ...
- 1,040
5
votes
Being clear about the way I work
It takes just one bad client to make you think about this... So true!
I'm hoping you are far enough in your career that you have other clients and other projects to work on as well. If not, read the ...
- 6,943
5
votes
How to deal with client's delusion to be a good graphic designer
Get your money, and run. That's all you can do. Sometimes you have to allow people to fall on their faces before they can realize that there's this neat thing called gravity.
- 5,363
5
votes
How to tell client I cant do any more changes till they pay invoice?
Assuming you have a contract stating the fixed price and the three changes, you simply refer to that very contract.
Having delivered the contractually agreed upon work, I am happy to work on ...
- 3,967
5
votes
How to reject a project that does not fit with my skills or goes beyond my skills in order to keep your client for future projects?
The best way to keep that client is to find a subcontractor who can do the job. In that way, you move from being "a programmer" to "someone who solves computer problems." When you ...
- 1,972
4
votes
Managing client expectations when estimated time is more than expected
While the answers provided effectively address the bulk of your question, I wanted to address your last statement:
"I really don't want to lose this client since it looks like an excellent long term ...
- 275
4
votes
Accepted
How to deal with client's delusion to be a good graphic designer
Disagreeing with the client happens now and then.
Whenever I come across something odd at a client, I attempt to explain it - like you have. If they still disagree, I rethink and rephrase my argument ...
- 3,967
4
votes
Someone contacted my client and created a conflict, how do I handle it?
Needless to say that I was in a similar situation. A company owner created a contract with me and then assigned a lead person to handle all team members. The lead person apparently never liked me, ...
- 14.5k
4
votes
Accepted
What does it mean when a client stops communicating after receiving a proposal?
In my experience, even seemingly eager clients can spend weeks deciding on whether to move ahead on a project.
A client not replying could mean several things:
1) Your offer was financially way out ...
- 3,967
4
votes
Junior Graphic Designer here. Am I being low-balled by a client who I've worked with for the past 3 years? How to remedy the situation?
In my opinion you are being taken advantage of at least to some degree. It may not be malicious in nature, but what you've described is absolutely not favorable to any designer, not even in part.
......
- 17.5k
4
votes
Accepted
How do I reply back to my freelancer if he is not maintaining deadlines and delaying the project?
"Thank you for your work so far. However as I stated multiple times, I need a minimum of 1 article every 2 business days. Since you are unable to deliver this I am cancelling the project effective ...
- 711
4
votes
Accepted
How often I have to update my progress working freelance?
This is something that the client has to answer, not us. It depends both on the client and the project.
For example, with one client, I was simply reporting each day what I did. That was voluntary but ...
- 1,972
4
votes
Accepted
How to say "How long will the interview process take?" without being rude?
Longer-term clients are typically going to have a longer-form interview/onboard process, even for freelancers, as they're investing more time and money into you and the project you're going to be ...
- 391
3
votes
Being clear about the way I work
In addition to the good advices that was given already by others, I want just to say that after encountering a few clients exacly as you described, I made it very simple and added in the contract the ...
- 2,294
3
votes
Being clear about the way I work
taking way too much of my time
The client hasn't been taking too much of your time. No, you've been allowing it. If your client wants the privilege of having you sit through meetings while the ...
- 5,363
3
votes
Someone contacted my client and created a conflict, how do I handle it?
Your work with current client is temporary, yes? As is your relationship with Randomguy? However your reputation is more permanent. I would do two things.
Contact the Company directly and let them ...
- 484
3
votes
What's the best cold call pitch for a freelancing software engineer?
I try to keep things quick, to the point, and professional - saves everyone time. I've never written down a script since each project/company can vary a lot, but something along the lines of:
"Hi, ...
- 151
3
votes
How to deal with client's delusion to be a good graphic designer
There's literally nothing you can do here. If the client does not see the value in design.... you, being an outside professional entity, won't change that mindset.
In my experience, small business ...
- 17.5k
3
votes
Is it okay to prospect my customer's customers?
You can, but it is generally very frowned upon.
Without express written disapproval, there's nothing legally preventing you doing so. Of course, a non-compete agreement would indicate there may be ...
- 17.5k
3
votes
Accepted
Client wants me to take a portfolio project off my website
As a freelancer myself, I always ask upfront if the client lets me show their project on my portfolio. Most of them would say "okay" but some of them would say "no."
If they say "no," I would honor ...
- 46
3
votes
Advertise through email
Have you ever, for any reason, answered a marketing/sales email from a sender you did not personally recognize?
I get about 6-10 of the, "Hi, I'm a web developer that can improve your site" emails ...
- 17.5k
3
votes
Advertise through email
If you really can create something and then sell it, and you need to convince others that you can do it well, it's much better to really create something and show the world what you've got. No need to ...
- 301
3
votes
Advertise through email
Cold calling is hard work. I have had some success emailing potential clients by:
making it clear I am a web developer in the same geographic area
describing a specific (non-trivial) problem with ...
- 2,038
3
votes
Accepted
How to set a project completion deadline for a project that already got extended out?
Communication
If you are friendly with the client, speak to them, expressing the concern. I would not simply provide an ultimatum. That will often be seen as "demanding" and "unfriendly".
Instead ...
- 17.5k
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