Comments on: How to Deal with an Unhappy Client http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/ Mutual Respect Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:25:14 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Freelance Writing Jobs - The Internet’s #1 Freelance Writer Community » Blog Archive » Are Freelancers Flaky? http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/comment-page-1/#comment-7385 Freelance Writing Jobs - The Internet’s #1 Freelance Writer Community » Blog Archive » Are Freelancers Flaky? Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:19:27 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/#comment-7385 [...] and I told them the truth. Before turning in work, it’s always a good idea to ask yourself, did I please my client? And…Did I do a good enough job so that my client will recommend me to [...] [...] and I told them the truth. Before turning in work, it’s always a good idea to ask yourself, did I please my client? And…Did I do a good enough job so that my client will recommend me to [...]

]]> By: James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/comment-page-1/#comment-6143 James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:22:24 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/#comment-6143 Ha, well said, Sue. Here's on on <a href="http://www.jcme.ca/jcmefreelancewriting/11-tips-on-how-to-end-a-client-relationship" rel="nofollow"> 11 tips on how to end the client relationship</a> that sums up just how to part ways with your reputation intact - and still shining. Ha, well said, Sue. Here’s on on 11 tips on how to end the client relationship that sums up just how to part ways with your reputation intact – and still shining.

]]> By: sue http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/comment-page-1/#comment-6115 sue Tue, 13 Nov 2007 05:52:16 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/#comment-6115 I had to let a client go today. I started working with her a few weeks ago and quickly realized that she would be a time sucking black hole of negativity. I comped her about $300 worth of work, because I wanted her to go away. Not something you can do with large projects, obviously, but for the repeat horror story clients - send them back out into the universe, but send them back out HAPPY. I had to let a client go today. I started working with her a few weeks ago and quickly realized that she would be a time sucking black hole of negativity. I comped her about $300 worth of work, because I wanted her to go away. Not something you can do with large projects, obviously, but for the repeat horror story clients – send them back out into the universe, but send them back out HAPPY.

]]> By: Susan J. http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/comment-page-1/#comment-5945 Susan J. Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:44:02 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/#comment-5945 Jodee, this is great advice not just for freelance writing, but for life. You could basically apply this to any type of interpersonal dispute. Jodee, this is great advice not just for freelance writing, but for life. You could basically apply this to any type of interpersonal dispute.

]]> By: Jo http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/comment-page-1/#comment-5898 Jo Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:04:31 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/#comment-5898 Some clients are never satisifed no matter what you do. A person will never be able to satisfy every person they work for or meet. Some clients are never satisifed no matter what you do.

A person will never be able to satisfy every person they work for or meet.

]]> By: Amy Derby http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/comment-page-1/#comment-5889 Amy Derby Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:49:24 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/#comment-5889 Great points, Jodee. I've been lucky that thus far I've only had one case where the client's unhappiness was due to my own misunderstanding. Luckily, it was a small portion of a big project, so the client was satisfied as long as I rewrote that portion. I took off 15% of the total fee for the inconvenience, and the client hired me again. Great points, Jodee. I’ve been lucky that thus far I’ve only had one case where the client’s unhappiness was due to my own misunderstanding. Luckily, it was a small portion of a big project, so the client was satisfied as long as I rewrote that portion. I took off 15% of the total fee for the inconvenience, and the client hired me again.

]]> By: Erin http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/comment-page-1/#comment-5820 Erin Sun, 11 Nov 2007 03:08:05 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/#comment-5820 The best defense is a good offense. For me, the number one insurance policy against unhappy clients is a bid letter that clearly defines our relationship, responsibilities, delivery of the product, and what I can and can't do for free. Cuts down on unreasonable demands while allowing me to deliver something that meets expectations. :) The best defense is a good offense. For me, the number one insurance policy against unhappy clients is a bid letter that clearly defines our relationship, responsibilities, delivery of the product, and what I can and can’t do for free. Cuts down on unreasonable demands while allowing me to deliver something that meets expectations. :)

]]> By: James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/comment-page-1/#comment-5796 James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:49:50 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/#comment-5796 Well, remember too, that many clients hire writers because they can't write themselves - so clear communication doesn't always happen. Well, remember too, that many clients hire writers because they can’t write themselves – so clear communication doesn’t always happen.

]]> By: Jodee http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/comment-page-1/#comment-5786 Jodee Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:35:34 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/#comment-5786 Thank you Shell and James! :) It's perfectly OK to take a few minutes (or longer if you need it) to re-read a client's e-mail to try to figure out what they are really saying. It's quite possible to take something the wrong way at first glance and miss what the person is trying to communicate. (I've done it myself, especially if I'm stressed or overtired.) Thank you Shell and James! :)

It’s perfectly OK to take a few minutes (or longer if you need it) to re-read a client’s e-mail to try to figure out what they are really saying. It’s quite possible to take something the wrong way at first glance and miss what the person is trying to communicate. (I’ve done it myself, especially if I’m stressed or overtired.)

]]> By: Sarah http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/comment-page-1/#comment-5783 Sarah Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:18:35 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/how-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-client/#comment-5783 I had a client once who wanted me to do copy and design if I could. I only write copy but my husband was learning design at the time so after discussing it with him we decided to give it a try as a team. The copy was fine but the design side of things turned out to be a disaster! The design itself was fine but the dimensions were all wrong. The client kept giving us the dimensions and we'd get them right according to the design program we were using but the client said they were still wrong. He got more and more irritable as his deadline drew near, understandably until, in response to one particular email, I snapped. I basically said that I had been busting my ass for him just so he could have what he wanted and he had no right to get arsey with me. On reflection, that was the wrong thing to do. I should have stayed professional about the whole thing. The other lesson I learned from that experience was never to offer design work again!!! I had a client once who wanted me to do copy and design if I could. I only write copy but my husband was learning design at the time so after discussing it with him we decided to give it a try as a team.

The copy was fine but the design side of things turned out to be a disaster! The design itself was fine but the dimensions were all wrong. The client kept giving us the dimensions and we’d get them right according to the design program we were using but the client said they were still wrong.

He got more and more irritable as his deadline drew near, understandably until, in response to one particular email, I snapped.

I basically said that I had been busting my ass for him just so he could have what he wanted and he had no right to get arsey with me.

On reflection, that was the wrong thing to do. I should have stayed professional about the whole thing.

The other lesson I learned from that experience was never to offer design work again!!!

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