Client Red Flags and What They Say About You, designer edition
Sometimes these red flags can actually show us designers areas of our own biz we could improve on! Chances are, your client has never worked through a design project before, and they're coming to you because they feel out of their depth.
Being able to identify these "problems" as areas, where your client needs more help, can flip the script and ensure your next project runs smoothly, leaving you feeling proud of your work and your client raving about your process.
🚩 #1: They never get their feedback to you on time.
And when they do, it’s unclear, hasn’t addressed half the brand, and tells you what their Aunty Penny thought of the design.
🔎 DID YOU GUIDE THEM?
Did you give them advice on what to look for when they consider their feedback?
Did you ask them questions they can answer or just as “What do you think?”.
Did you tell them when they needed to have given their feedback by?
💫 THEY’VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. SHOW THEM HOW.
Most likely, your client has never worked with a designer before and this is all new to them. In your design presentations, give them tips on what to address in their feedback, ask them specific questions to answer, and always give a due date for feedback to keep the project on track.
🚩 #2: They ask for endless revisions.
Every email from them is asking for “One small quick change” and they chop and change their mind between things you’ve already discussed.
🔎 DID YOU SET EXPECTATIONS?
Did you work through strategy and creative direction to lead your design, or dive right in?
Did you explain your design choices?
Did you set a cap to refinement rounds included in the project?
💫 YOU CAN SET THE TONE AND PACE OF THE PROJECT.
In your contract, cap the refinement rounds and offer an option for additional rounds at an added cost. Always include branding strategy and creative direction as a phase before you dive into designing. Rather over-communicate your choices and critical thinking so that they understand how you came up with the concept.
🚩 #3: They haggle your prices or process.
These are the clients who want everything for nothing. They want top-shelf results without investing the time or budget into it.
🔎 ARE YOU THE RIGHT FIT?
Are you focusing too much on a list of deliverables rather than on the results they will achieve (ie. solving their problem)
Are you sharing the value of your offerings and process, or just saying yes to whatever clients ask of you?
Have you positioned yourself so that the right clients can find you?
💫 MAYBE IT’S TIME TO WORK ON YOUR BUSINESS
Take an afternoon and audit your brand, website, messaging, and socials. What are you portraying? A freelance designer who just delivers on random requests or a designer who can help your client solve their problems through thoughtful and strategy-led design? This might be an opportunity to do some pruning and shift into the space that feels right for you!
