Every freelancer has a story about a difficult client. All you have to do is throw a post about difficult client worries into a forum, and you’ll get at least 20 responses back!
And if you’re new to the world of freelancing (in any form), chances are you’re going to run into a difficult client at some point or another.
So it’s best to know how to handle them before they turn up. As such, here’s a quick 101 guide to handling the more obscure, tricky, and outright rude clients that might end up on your books.
‘Over’ Communicate Your Ideas
Never leave a client wondering what you’re going to do or how you’re going to do it. You don’t need to throw technical jargon at them, but let them know what to expect.
If you put a brief together, leave some comments or editor notes on it that outline the details you’re going to put into the piece.
This way, your client gets a full idea of what you’re planning and what the finished product is going to look like.
Even though it feels like overcommunicating on your end, not everything that’s obvious to you is obvious to someone else! Make things clear in no uncertain terms.
Make Your Workflow Clear
Whatever way you work, outline this clearly to your client.
Make it clear when and where you’re available, how long you take to respond to messages and emails, and what you’re willing to do when it comes to changes and revisions.
Without outlining this clear workflow, clients may not have a grasp of what it means to work with you.
Not only can this cut down on being chased up, but it also reduces the chances of confused (and even angry) messages heading your way.
Send Polite, Timely Reminders
If the client is not paying up, either because they’ve refused to do so or are dragging their heels, stay professional.
Be polite in the way you communicate their failure to pay, and send reminders on a timely basis.
This means setting up a proper abn invoice template, adapting it for the date (and overdue interest, if any), and then automating your emails to go out every 2 weeks.
This way, your reminders are consistent, but they’re not too frequent – and you can prove you’ve tried multiple times to get paid.
Cut Ties if Needed
Finally, you’re more than free to walk away from a difficult client if they become too much.
If they’re taking up all of your time, dragging your workflow down, and making life more stressful than it’s worth, walk away.
Tell them about your decision, and set a firm boundary about what this means. For example, your terms around what you need to be paid for, even if the work is ‘unfinished’.
When you have a difficult client, there are a few things you can do to make life simpler. Be clear and polite, but cut ties if need be.
