10 Reasons for Difficult Clients or Why Your Clients Aren’t as Difficult as You Think

All freelancers have difficult clients, though the definition of “difficult” is certainly in the eye of the beholder. Some feel a client is difficult because he requests edits while others don’t like clients who check up on their projects each day. While there are a few who are really, truly mean-spirited or micromanaging, most aren’t as difficult as we might perceive them to be.

Clients have good reasons for being hands on or requesting your best effort. Consider this:

1. It’s their baby: When a client hires a freelancer, he’s retaining the person he feels will best represent his product or brand. If your work isn’t best putting forth his message, he needs to speak up. Why would he pay someone to do the job wrong? It might not be that the freelancer is doing the job bad, but if the client sees it headed in the opposite direction, he also needs to offer guidance to get it back on track.
2. It’s their money: A client is putting out money because he can’t do the job himself. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a specific vision in mind. She wants bang for her buck. She wants to know the person she’s paying isn’t just going through the motions. She wants the finished product to be equal to the money spent.
3. You’re representing their brand: People are touchy about their image. If you’re not best representing said image, it’s up to the client to let you know. Better butt in while the project is in progress than have you re-do it when it’s finished, right? It’s nothing personal, it’s business.
4. The job really needed to be re-worked: As mentioned above, there are times when a project just doesn’t fit what the client is looking for. Rather than pay for a job not done to his satisfaction, he’ll ask for the project to be reworked.  Note though, that if a client isn’t being realistic with his expectations, you’re not out of line to request more pay.
5. You didn’t do a very good job: It shows when isn’t done to the best of a freelance writer’s ability. If a job is lackluster, filled with typos,  or you only went through the motions, most clients can tell. Don’t you think the person who paid for your best work has a reason to be dissatisfied for shoddy workmanship?
6. They want to know what’s going on: No one wants to be micromanaged, but clients don’t like to be left in the dark, either. If you offer daily or weekly updates, they’re likely to back off. If they’re out of control, try telling them kindly  but firmly that you can set a certain time each day or week to discuss the project.
7. Someone is pressuring them to pressure you: Perhaps it’s not your client who is difficult, but your client’s supervisor. Try and be a little sympathetic to what your client is going through and offer to speak to the supervisor if things are getting too annoying.
8. They have no idea they’re being difficult: Most difficult clients have no idea they’re being a pain in the butt. You can’t really tell them, but  you can work through some of the issues. If they’re constantly calling and emailing, set times to talk. If they’re always asking for revisions, let them know revisions within reason are free, after that you’ll have to be paid extra. There are always ways to work with clients, no matter how difficult.
9. They’re pretty nice, it’s you who is difficult: Many freelancers consider themselves creative artists and take offense any time someone questions their work. Many fragile egos are upset if someone points out a typo or doesn’t like a particular paragraph. Hey, the client is paying the writer to do a good job, there’s no need to take offense if errors are pointed out or if your vision clashes with that of your client.
10. You’re misinterpreting their intentions: Most clients hire freelancers because they have the ability to work independently with as little hand holding as possible. If a client is contact you often to question your work or request revisions, ask yourself why. Is it because the client has a difficult personality, or are you misinterpreting the client’s intentions? Take it with a grain of salt, do your best and don’t take revision requests personally. Most clients don’t really revel in making a freelancer’s life difficult.

Does this mean there’s no such thing as difficult clients? Of course not. Everyone has had to deal with nitpicky, rude people. Before you write off a client as being difficult, however, think about why she might be this way. The answers may surprise you!