8 things you do not like to hear freelancers

"Many people only pretend to be human beings, but actually come from a galaxy far, far away" - that such ideas come to me when dealing with some customers. Their letters are so stunning, and business cooperation is so unpredictable that resembles a twisted detective.

If you are a freelancer with experience, you know how wonderful surprises can bring this work. Let's try to make a hit parade of the most unpleasant things that we hear freelancers and try to figure out how to respond to them.

1. I'll pay later

You are not a true freelancer, if you have never heard of these wonderful words. Yes, it is you're lucky, because sometimes it happens that the client does not even condescend to it, and just quietly dissolves in space. Since these wonderful spells as a "contract", "contract" or "lawyer" in our kingdom is almost no effect, it remains only to bombard the loss of requests and reminders.

The only means to avoid such a situation, is to provide a partial prepayment before a work (optimally 50%). Thus, you can cut your losses, even if the client suddenly disappears from the surface of the Earth. And sometimes you can even miraculously lucky, because there are cases when the customer disappears immediately after the advance payment.

2. I will pay once the project will unfold

This answer usually comes from professional dreamers who adore the word "startup" and know exactly what their idea will soon take over the universe, and will bring millions of dollars. They graciously share it with you and promise a good reward, perhaps even share, but only when succeed.

Do not get fooled by these tales. In general, it is almost the same as that of the famous "Nigerian letter of happiness". Do not let yourself be drawn into someone else's game, as if you do not tempting prospects loom. Focus better on their business and the need to earn a living.

3. You are more than my co-workers... or others will do it for less!

Every time I want to say in response: "So ask them to do the work of their employees." Instead, better to politely remind about its merits, experience and skills, which, strictly speaking, made the customer to contact you.

Explain that a freelancer services usually cost ultimately cheaper staff member, because it does not require investment in the maintenance of the workplace, insurance payments and tax deductions. To be sure, spend more time and reconciliation of tariff rates for similar work. You must be confident in your skills and your price, and try to stick to it.

As for customers, here's a tip: if you want a cheap freelancer, you have to deal with not the best employees, produces unexpected results. Mercenary, who believes that it hurt to pay, will try by any means to regain what he is, he believes, it is due.

4. Be a little exposure

"In the meantime, I have to work for free for the benefit of your company? What the hell? "You say that your employees do not get too personal, but show calm and restraint. Yes, your employees may rely on future remuneration and career growth in the company, but freelancers - is quite another. We do not want a career in your company, simply pay for work done, nothing more.

Yes, shutter speed - is a useful quality, if you are engaged in charity work for a nonprofit organization, but for an infinite expectation of payments is even harmful.

5. We have not received your account

"There's probably been a failure in Gmail, we have not received your letter with the score so pay next month." Most likely, in this case, it makes no sense to argue and prove anything - it's just a reason not to pay you now or at all. Especially if your mailbox has not received a notice of mail service problems with the delivery of the letter.

The best action in this situation will be re-sending of the letter with the request to notify the receipt. Yes, email failures happen, but if it is repeated too often, then you should consider the desirability of further cooperation.

6. I think the red should be a little more blue

If the karma theory is indeed correct, then you should be greatly sinned in a past life, if you encounter such a client. However, this is just a joke, such clients across all the time.

The worst option for the freelancer is a client who knows exactly what he wants. Or in the process of working on a client project suddenly loses confidence and presentation of the final result. In this case, you will be very hard to solve it for him. The best option in this case is to ask detailed questions or to ask him to provide you with some visual patterns to narrow down your search.

7. Let's start all over again

At no extra charge, of course. This happens quite often and is usually accompanied by the following statement: "Why should I even pay for the design, which I do not like?"

Yes, in this position, it makes sense, but you also can not endlessly redo their work, spending is their working hours, which must be paid. Where is the guarantee that the mood of the customer again will not change and the next site design will not require rework again? Insist on a revision of prices.

8. Just do what you want!

Typically, such a statement is accompanied by the words, "I trust you!" But in fact, it means that the customer just is not what he really wanted, and looks forward to your telepathic capabilities.

But it ends with the embodiments described above a little - "No, it's a little something here and there, it is necessary to correct, and even better to start over." Never proceed with the project, while not specifically defined, and it is desirable to commit to document what result you would like to receive from the customer.

Of course, it's not all the surprises encountered in their work to freelancers. We are waiting for additions to this list in the comments!