5 Things Every Freelance Designer Should Know About Client Servicing

So you are an art director in a big-name creative agency, but you've grown tired of climbing the corporate ladder and decided to explore opportunities as a freelance designer. The idea sounds sweet as your mind is running through a checklist of self-employment benefits:

The freedom to express your own style and aesthetics
Choose your own clients in industries that you like
Working to make your own schedule
No longer need to deal with a lot of technically inept Creative Directors
And yes,Finally, do not have with the account team aka "suits argue," more ...

But are you really ready to take on the role of a suit and negotiate costs with customers, sell your work convincingly and take criticism without a tirade about how the logo is already frickin 'big enough? Well, if you do not then here is a list of the successful launch of the 5 things that should any freelance designers know about client service.

1 You Never) a priceList

I have always taken not to provide a standardized price list for each potential customer. I'm not saying that you should not have a price list, though. It is good to have hourly rates for retouching is great and not as a measure of your fees, but they should never be applied to full projects. His couple of reasons:

To secure your goal should always be a face-to-face meetings with potential clients. Send them a price list is very hit-or-miss, just becauseThe customer base its decisions on numbers / facts alone. The slight advantage that it is by building a relationship well worth the time. A face-to-face meeting is when you can really prove your skills, personality, and learn more about the customer and project data.
Our economy is in a constant change, then the prices are already changing with the times, but when you present your customers with the price list, they will throw all those variables out of the window. If you do not wantMarried to offer at a fixed price, will not provide a cause of customers can and will keep you there!
Your competition can get your price list and low-ball you. It is very easy to ask for a competing studio as potential customers, so all your pricing information for comparison and research. Bad business ethics, but happens all the time.
They seem to want each project to be individual. The statement that your fees are based on a custom project scope, gives the impression that each Project is unique and special. The price lists for standard manufacturing jobs in order, but with a quote for each project that you give the customer the feeling that you build customer-specific designs and tools to their specific requirements. Show them some love and they will return the favor.

2) Always challenge the customer

Certainly helps to be nice to customers, build a relationship, but you do not want a flatterer. To simply say yes to all of your> Client's requests / demands do not deserve the trust and reputation are looking for. This is because the client you are hiring for your ideas and experiences as a designer, not just do what they ask. As devil's advocate may be counterproductive, but in the long term the client, you will be more respect, because you just do not design for them, but also with regard to their best business interests.

Client 's not always know what they want soIt is your responsibility to take initiative, convincing, and they lead you along the way is most appropriate. Most of the time you work with someone to have your advice, so you do not worry, there must be. Your honesty, if tactfully expressed, leads to more confidence, which means the returning customers for future projects.

3) Plan, plan, plan

Ample planning, you can learn more about current issues and trends in your client's industry research. It isalways a good sign when you can represent knowledge of their industries and point and other relevant fact that they are fun to understand and can build on.

A lot of people believe that too much planning is a waste of time and action is more important. I disagree, because a lack of planning could be major adverse impacts on the road when problems arise and disagreements over the scope of the project. Planning and agreeing on a project brief with the client before the start ofDesign work by reducing the amount of misunderstandings during the project, and other surprises on the road. If the customer decides to add items later, you can load it correctly anymore, because the well-designed and well-planned project was just approved at the beginning of the project. Avoid the potential problems from you is worth the extra time to plan output.

4) presentation and personality are not important

It is important to show thatYou have good written and verbal interpersonal communication. If you do not have a productive brainstorming / problem solving session with the client, as might be expected that they have confidence in your ideas and creativity?

Also hate the government but appearances seem to have any role! Creatives / designers have a reputation with an eclectic fashion sense, but that does not mean you can have up to a customer who is wearing a colorful tank top, skinny tie, 80s short shorts,Flip-flops and a fedora. Working relationships are based on trust and the more we are the part, the more people believe that you play the role. Do not get my wrong - they show your personality is great, but you do not do it at the expense of the customers lose. It is a cruel world, but the halo effect does not come into play when they try to attract new businesses.

5) The bottom line when all is said and done, the only thing that really counts, the quality of work is delivered on budgetand on time. Your customers will forgive almost anything as long as you meet or exceed expectations in relation to these three important factors. Good luck!

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