10
votes
Client Threatening to Contact Permanent Employer?
I'd send them an email with something along the lines of:
You can reach me by email at X, or by phone between the hours of Y and Z. If this is not satisfactory, then I will not be able to do ...
- 101
10
votes
How to back out of a freelance project that has gotten too big?
she still owes me for the work I've done
How long has she owed you and how much? If she's past due on a payment, or owes you thousands, that could be enough reason to stop right there.
But should ...
- 1,660
10
votes
Accepted
Attracting clients who want web developer not designer
When someone needs a website, in most of the cases, they have no idea that there is a designer and a developer, or someone who can do both things, they just look for "someone who builds my good ...
- 2,054
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
How do I communicate to a client that he's wasting time and money by using my services hourly vs. paying a monthly fee?
One approach I've used in the past is to simply tell customers that I no longer provide this service at an hourly rate, but that I could provide ongoing support on a flat rate monthly basis. Then I ...
- 3,835
7
votes
Accepted
Is there a reason against not billing someone when asked for an invoice for work completed?
Well this is really opinion-based. But there are some aspects to be aware of.
Some clients will see your failure to invoice as an "ok" to send you more changes then act shocked when you want to be ...
- 17.4k
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 ...
- 2,054
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 ...
- 3,822
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 ...
- 17.4k
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 ...
- 6,863
5
votes
Accepted
How to deal with clients trying to blackmail you?
No one mentioned that blackmailing freelancers for extra work out of scope is explicitly forbidden in the terms of service for most of these sites. Read the terms of service. Elance, for example, says ...
- 1,660
5
votes
Handling client extras on the fly
Personally, when I have a contractual agreement with a company, signed from the legal representative of the whole company as a single entity, I assume that every request coming from it is regulated in ...
- 2,054
5
votes
Accepted
How to deal with a client who calls a lot?
I hate and decline all project instructions over call as well. I simply tell them something like "In a call, we can discuss plans and ideas at the very high level. However, if you need to explain any ...
- 14.4k
5
votes
If I transfer the work to my friend without notify the client, is it ok?
Is it moral and professional? No!
Do people do this (including large companies)? Yes.
I can't say I never done it without client's knowledge, but each time I get into trouble as I have to act as a ...
- 14.4k
5
votes
Accepted
Should I charge the client for long meetings in person when he pays me on a per-project basis?
He says that he wants me and his design team to work together and our agreement was only for programming, not for design (he would provide
the flow and images).
This implies a change of project ...
- 1,162
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.
- 5,313
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 ...
- 6,863
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 ...
- 1,030
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 ...
- 3,822
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 ...
- 1,457
4
votes
Handling client extras on the fly
I once had a client that I did a great deal of smaller items for. I primarily dealt with 2 or 3 individuals at the company and they were organized and thorough in their requests.
As the their company ...
- 17.4k
4
votes
Accepted
Applied for position A, the employee replied for position B? How to deal with the situtation
It's probably just a honest mistake - so tell them you applied for the iOS position.
You really have no alternative; if you don't tell them, do you plan attempting to successfully handle a PHP ...
- 3,822
4
votes
Applied for position A, the employee replied for position B? How to deal with the situtation
I'm not sure what "applying" and "interviews" have to do with freelancing.... but....
Realize that most people in charge of the first round of hiring choices (Human relations ...
- 17.4k
4
votes
Accepted
Is it advisable to contact a company and offer your services based on job advertisements?
I've used a similar strategy and have found success. On my LinkedIn I note that I am a freelancer and it's clear that I have been so for quite a few years. I get contacted by at least 2-3 recruiters (...
- 917
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 ...
- 3,822
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 ...
- 3,822
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, ...
- 14.4k
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