61
votes
Dealing with "friend" who won't pay after delivery despite signed contracts
Is this a script from a soap opera?
There's far too much discussion taking place.
Business is business and not friendship. Ignore anything not directly related to the business. All the back and ...
- 17.5k
43
votes
How should I respond to requests to work "for exposure"?
This is one of the most prominent red flags which indicates a bad client, in my opinion.
It's really not that complicated.
Sorry, I do not work pro bono or without payment on request.
There's no ...
- 17.5k
21
votes
Dealing with "friend" who won't pay after delivery despite signed contracts
Your chain of emails is unprofessional, you fail yourself by dropping to your client's argumentative level. As well as this, instead of getting to the point you make jabs and petty points informally, ...
- 545
21
votes
My client keeps changing password and denying me access before the project is fully complete. How do I politely ask him not to do so?
I always create a Super User account only for me, then other accounts (SU or lower) for other people. So, if we are two SU, I have my access and the other users can do whatever they want with their ...
- 2,294
12
votes
Accepted
How to handle interpersonal relationships and expectations from client's marketing department
The easiest way to handle the short-notice work is to set up a Service Level Agreement (SLA). You can document how much notice the client must give, and how soon you will act, with financial ...
- 1,040
11
votes
Should I work for free if client's requirement changed
Absolutely not! If you have agreed on terms, and delivered, then you should expect him to deliver on his part of the arrangement.
Having said that...
Did you give him status updates with the ...
- 6,943
10
votes
Accepted
What to do when a client cancels project 1 day before delivery?
First off, I'm sorry to hear of your endeavor and that you had to deal with a nightmare client like that. I think we've all been there at least twice. Now then, hindsight is 20/20, so let's be ...
10
votes
My client keeps changing password and denying me access before the project is fully complete. How do I politely ask him not to do so?
This is a client who wants to take over. Knowing that anything you do will be changed means that you are not in charge of the project once you have handed over control. What that means is that the ...
- 1,972
9
votes
Accepted
Client wants manual for everything I do
Supply documentation for an additional fee. It's more work to track everything you do... you should be compensated for that work.
- 17.5k
9
votes
Accepted
How to effectively handle obsessive personal client calls during regular office hours
Bill him for the hours you spend on the phone. Those are consulting hours. No further work will proceed until the account is brought current. All future phone conversations will also be billed. I went ...
- 114
9
votes
How should I respond to requests to work "for exposure"?
It is really little that can be added to excellent @Scott's answer. I just wanted to add a simple tactic that helped me several times.
Due warning: I'm not aware about any academic research on this ...
- 2,023
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
Rude and confusing client but possible important job
He said he wanted to talk about the website. We agreed to contact again the week after to fix a meeting date and hour.
This didn't exactly happen, did it? You drove across town, and back, to sit ...
- 5,363
7
votes
Client wants free and half-rate meetings
I think you know the answer to this, but may be a bit apprehensive about losing the client if you fail to attend these meetings. That's always a possibility.
It's your business. Your pricing and what ...
- 17.5k
7
votes
Accepted
Client ghosted after delivering results, no payment
If you have given everything away, there might be very little you can do.
All you can do now is hope that the client for some reason returns.
If that happens, you have some leverage you MUST use. This ...
- 3,967
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
Accepted
How to enter freelance websites with high rates since the beginning
I understand your problem. What helped me to develop a profile is the following:
Make clear from the beginning your prices and years of experience. Don't justify it, there are always jobs/projects ...
- 388
6
votes
Accepted
When is a job too small for meetings?
I like this question: I struggled with the exact same thing with meetings in general. Clients one hour away asking me to join in on a meeting. I usually ended up spending an afternoon with 2 hours ...
- 1,649
6
votes
Complicated situation with client and a never ending project
Why do you allow being treated like this? "Calling me every 2h and messaging every 15min + threatening" - WFT bro????
I would never, NEVER, N E V E R allow being treated like this.
Now, aside of ...
- 14.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Client refused to pay for maintenance but now asks for small tweeks
There are a number of common tactics to nudge your clients towards a more effective behavior:
Charge a minimum time, say 15 or 30 minutes always, no matter how small the task. Reason is that task-...
- 1,033
6
votes
Accepted
Client continuously asking for new logo concepts and he is not sure of what he wants. How do I deal with him?
You've done the work, a refund is not warranted in my opinion. It would be one thing if you failed to provide services. However, from what you've written, you have provided services.
Imagine you go ...
- 17.5k
6
votes
Accepted
My client keeps changing password and denying me access before the project is fully complete. How do I politely ask him not to do so?
a nice but emotionally vulnerable client
Although you say that, the rest of your question and comments make him sound like the customer from Hell. I suggest that you ask yourself whether you need him ...
- 176
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
Accepted
Should I want to mention what techniques I use to build a website for clients?
That depends on the client.
A tech-savvy client will most often want full disclosure, possibly even micro-manage the process.
If the client has no interest in technology at all and is more or less ...
- 3,967
5
votes
Rude and confusing client but possible important job
It sounds to me like he treated your interview as if he was interviewing a potential new employee, rather than interviewing a freelancer. He most likely wanted to meet you and get a feel for you as an ...
- 1,670
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
Accepted
Client wants more features near project end
You stated it...
[Client], we are already out of scope for the agreed payment amount. Implementing [these] new things means that I'll have to charge [you] for [them].
There's no "super-secret" ...
- 17.5k
5
votes
Client needs to know the font - should I respond?
I would absolutely mention any money owed.
Hi [brand manger],
There is still an outstanding balance of $xxxx owed for work completed. No information regarding projects or their construction will be ...
- 17.5k
5
votes
How should I respond to requests to work "for exposure"?
Just don't respond.
That's the answer.
People who are serious about wanting a service are willing to talk about price. Anyone who asks for a free service and talks about exposure was either never ...
- 161
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