Comments on: Client Tactics: How to Spot a Deadbeat Client

By: TakLeaRn

TakLeaRn — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:36:32 +0000

Thanks for the breakdown of client types.
Very good Jeff Boshers.

By: shop cart

shop cart — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:58:20 +0000

I used to work at a graphic design company, and I would see multiple personalities appearing in one single client. In general, we require clients pay to pay the deposit before we start work but for some clients we’d cut some slack (bad I know!).

By: shop cart

shop cart — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:17:43 +0000

I just recently had someone call out of the blue, quickly describe a confusing marketing/e-commerce project while stating they have estimates from all over the world and they need the project as soon as possible. Needless to say, I avoided this prospect. Aside from the time or two that I didn’t get paid, I’d say the worst experience I had was while I was subcontracting and had to deal with a “Picky Pickerson” type. I ended up doing something like 30 revisions only to have that contact leave the company and to

By: CyberTramp

CyberTramp — Tue, 03 May 2011 22:14:56 +0000

I have been calling it an “agreement” for exactly that reason, but struggling to set a non-threatening enough tone when writing it out. It’s not a question of not knowing what should be in it, etc, it’s a question of the people who it is for not being able to understand the language and being afraid of what it might all mean.

I think I am finding that mom & pops get scared off very easily when there is no need to be worried at all, and I’d be happy to alter things for them or explain. There are a million articles about contracts but none about how to put things for your average joe.

By: Brett Widmann

Brett Widmann — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:32:00 +0000

Interesting article. If has a lot of useful information. Thanks for sharing!

By: stevengrindlay

stevengrindlay — Tue, 04 May 2010 02:21:27 +0000

Great Article…have met them all and a few more…my favourite is the “The process of elimination dude” I’m not sure what I want but I’ll know it when I see it. Revision, revision, revision.

Ok Here are my rules.

1. Get a creative brief if the client can’t write one you do! and then make sure he agrees with it in detail prior to any design work starting (reduces revisions). Do all of thinking about the project before you do any design, this means you’ll be able to write a comprehensive scope.

2.Have a rate sheet. That breaks down all of your costs.. including extra revisions. Be very specific. layout, design, illustrations, page rates cover rates logos, hourly rates, copy writing, photography, consumable costs etc…everything!

3. Deliver a scope of work. EXACTLY what are you going to design, what if anything is the client expected to supply ( content, artwork, photos etc) and how many revisions are included in the quotation. Work out your best time estimate and double it. At the end of the day he’s buying your time..your expertise is expected or you won’t get the work in the first place.

4. Get a deposit before starting ANY design work…not negotiable ( must be enough to cover your costs so you’re working for your profit)

5. Have the client sign off on each incremental step of the project. Layout, style, colours, copy, images etc. Make sure the person signing off on the work has the final say on the job! Or you’ll be re-doing the work when the CEO decides he doesn’t like it.

6. Limit options to what you think are the best 3. Remember the basic rule is that if the design is on brief you get paid… if it’s off brief you go back to the drawing board! (See Rule no. 1) Never show the client your preliminary work! You’ll spend hours trying to make something that’s wrong fit the brief.

7. Complete all of the work as laid out in the original scope before doing any extra work or additions unless it is essential to meeting the terms of the original brief in which case you supply another quotation for extra work and an extension of time… get it approved in writing.

8. Value your time and skills if you don’t your client won’t either. There is no point in working 12 hours a day to go broke…you might as well go sit on the beach and go broke.

If you follow these rules most deadbeats will drop you by rule number 2 and go elsewhere.

If all else fails… if you suspect the client is going to be a real pain… double your quote. At least if he agrees then you’ll earn extra profits for the headache.

Cheers hope this helps.

SG.

By: David Mayer

David Mayer — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:08:01 +0000

Great article. I think I’ve run into each type during my career. I just recently had someone call out of the blue, quickly describe a confusing marketing/e-commerce project while stating they have estimates from all over the world and they need the project as soon as possible. Needless to say, I avoided this prospect. Aside from the time or two that I didn’t get paid, I’d say the worst experience I had was while I was subcontracting and had to deal with a “Picky Pickerson” type. I ended up doing something like 30 revisions only to have that contact leave the company and to learn that her boss never saw a thing. I was being paid hourly so I didn’t lose anything but my time and my patience. Very good work! I always like to leave comments whenever I see something unusual or impressive. I think we must appreciate those who do something especial. Keep it up. I want to add this stuff as a book in my free books. This is funny, but also kinda dismal in its reality. I feel like few clients really understand the worth of a good designer’s efforts and time – they think websites get built in two days, that you should work for minimum wage and that they can pay you whenever it is convenient. I had one client who I now refuse to work for, let’s call him “The Curt Jerk”, who would give me one sentence e-mails to explain his ideas and purpose, and then get annoyed and snappy when I repeatedly had to ask for clarification.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 04:21:15 +0000

Hi Jeff, loving the articles. I just have one tiny criticism. I wouldn’t bring it up except that you yourself mentioned the importance of spelling in the first article of this series.

I’ve noticed that you often use the word “weary” (meaning “tired”) when you mean to use “wary” (meaning “cautious”). I often make this kind of mistake myself, which is why I proofread everything I write. Unfortunately spell check can’t tell us if a word is used out of context.

Other than that, I love the series of articles and value the insights I’m gaining from them. Keep up the good work.

Tim

By: Richard Cummings

Richard Cummings — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:22:58 +0000

These are such good points. Deadbeat clients can really bring down a business. Fortunately, I have not been burned yet and hopefully your suggestions will help me maintain this trend. .-= Richard Cummings´s last blog ..Web Authentication Using PHP and MySql =-.

By: Steven Reid

Steven Reid — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:21:05 +0000

There’s a type I like to refer to as “the nightclubber”. They go to a store and buy a fancy expensive shirt for the weekend then take it back for a refund on Monday covered in Mojito and kebab stains as it didn’t get them laid. Likewise a client just expects the design to do the selling for them and gets pissy when it doesn’t. Fairly easy to spot though – it’s the person sitting opposite the desk, bugger to avoid and still pay the bills though.