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Web Design Articles: Help for Wannabe Pro Web Designers
Care and feeding of clients?
Without
exception, you treat clients like stars! Your job is to cater to their
needs. Whether the project is big or small, answer calls and emails promptly,
be honest and direct about every aspect of the project, and consistently
underpromise and overdeliver. Give your clients straight, solid advice
but in the end, give them the site they want (even if you disagree). The
client is paying the bills.
Possibly, your most valuable business assets are your personality and communication skills. If you are pleasant and easy to work with, prompt to respond to concerns, and generally a nice person to do business with, clients will come back to you as well as refer you to their friends and colleagues. Don't underestimate the value of being nice!
This doesn't mean you need to be a doormat. You will occasionally get requests that simply aren't reasonable, or find a client who asks more from you than you are willing or able to give. You may be asked to do some work that goes against your ethical standards on occasion. Appropriate boundaries will be vital if you're to stay in business, solvent and sane throughout your freelance career.
However, when a situation comes up that you are uncomfortable with, do your best to be both honest and nonjudgmental. When disagreements arise, don't get sucked into a power struggle! For dicey situations, offer the client a way out that allows saving face. By focusing on common goals and helping everyone keep dignity intact, you greatly increase the odds a compromise can be negotiated, or at the very least, avoid ugliness. It may take some time to find a diplomatic way to approach problems, but the time is well worth it.
Finally, do a great job! Give your clients high quality work and outstanding service. Tailor your overall approach to your client needs as opposed to your own needs, and you'll find that your own needs are getting met in the process. You'll get the business you deserve.
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