8 difficult customers. How to work with them?
Tips Work And Study / / December 19, 2019
If you are a good programmer, designer or writer, you probably are thinking about switching to independent work. Your training is not a shadow of doubt, and a list of completed works make envy even competitors. Beware though, the trouble can sneak up on a very different side.
work especially full freelancing are you good enough to be a professional in their field. You will need more and analytics skills, marketing, the ability to negotiate with people. Customers are very interesting and have to look for each approach. For information on how to do this, you will learn from this article.
What is more important for a freelancer - be a good specialist or be able to gain people's trust? The unequivocal answer to this question is no, but the world is full of stories where a talented creator mired in poverty and oblivion, and nimble cunning layman collects successful harvest. So do not forget sometimes distracted by their professional training and pay attention to pumping skills. It is useful to you.
1. Curious
Curious customer may initially charm his sincere interest in your work. He usually hyperactive, friendly and very, very talkative. He falls asleep you questions about your every step, every self-explanatory solutions. This client not only wants to know what you are doing, but how. Then it starts to annoy you and you realize that spending on the answers and explanations are too long.
What to do?
The easiest way - it is right to say that you are busy. Let them know that your time is limited and you want to focus on the work that is done for them. Limit the time each meeting with a client, every phone call. If a barrage of questions continues, offering itself as a paid consultant on issues of interest.
2. ignoramus
This type of customer will surprise you with a complete lack of the necessary collaboration of knowledge and skills. Perhaps the word looks a little rough, especially since it is usually older people, it is very poorly versed in computer technology. You will not be able to communicate with the customer in Facebook, because he's not registered, it does not account the bank to transfer the money to you, you have half an hour to explain over the phone how to open an attachment to the letter.
What to do?
Perhaps you will be tempted to take advantage of the situation and get more benefit from this client. Do not succumb to the temptation, remember about their reputation. You trust blindly, because you are the best for the job, try to justify this confidence. Do not use jargon and professional slang, try to speak the language commonly understood. Be sure to document all - with such customers may misunderstanding of the deal. Be patient, it will be repaid to you.
3. wise guy
This client you can easily find out by the circuit of hostility, which he is surrounded. Nerdy knows everything, but best of all he knows, as you have to cope with their work. It is strange that he hired you at all, right?
What to do?
All the roots of the problems are know-alls in the complex of inferiority and insecurity. They want to control everything, and your respect. You have only two choices in this situation. Or give them what they want and not waste your efforts on figuring out who the owner of the mountain. Or simply do not work with a client who does not trust you and feels the best expert than you.
4. Miser
The most common client. Describe the need?
Well, the miser seeks in any way to save the budget and of all the cheap ways and tools will choose the naideshevy.
What to do?
Curmudgeon just wants to get the job done for the lowest price. You will have to show different options for solving the problem, since most of the cost, and then agree to relatively cheap. Miser will be happy that you saved him part of the money. Do this work quickly, remember that time - this is the main resource of the freelancer. Ask for an advance payment, or at least advance - some greedy miser so that you can not afford to pay.
5. Dreamer
Dreamer happened to be on the planet Earth just passing by our galaxy. His head is always packed with crazy ideas and big plans that must work. Required !!!
What to do?
Dreamer will always require from you the best quality and shortest time. He did not agree to a compromise and waiting, he has no time - he was waiting for the stars. If you say that you believe in their success, they will adore you if you try to land them on the ground, then the project will have a chance at life.
Be persistent in determining the rates and terms. Explain that grandiose projects have a corresponding price and are not made overnight. Be attentive to detail, as dreamers do not condescend to particulars.
6. Assistant
It really is a fantastic type of client, which can only wish. To speed up work, he strives absolutely sincere help, offering help and support. However, its activities should be directed in the right direction, so that it will not interfere.
What to do?
If you offer to help, take advantage of this. Offers some simple tasks, which he can do. Use it to search for and structuring the necessary information. However, all you need to know when to stop, so as not to give rise to the impression the customer that it does the work for you.
7. Sprinter
Sometimes it bustler life, sometimes there really is a need for urgent assignments. Sprinters think that the implementation of any project can be accelerated without sacrificing quality. And it depends only on your desire.
What to do?
Be careful! Sprinters can often persuade you to unrealistic deadlines, so better take a pause and soberly assess their capabilities. Not everyone can work in a crazy pace, and not all of it is necessary. Be organized. Sprinters tend to show themselves the wonders of efficiency and organization, so your lack of discipline might shock them.
8. Small fry
This client takes a short position, and does not take any decisions without the consent of the head. Even worse, when professional issues are handled by one employee, pay - the other, and common issues in general only solves the bosses. At the same time, as a rule, they have no idea what's going on, and you have a bullet to each other like a ball.
What to do?
Do not decide issues individually. Your client will not disturb on every occasion his superiors, as a result, nothing will be resolved. Make a list of the accumulated problems and not start to work until their final resolution. Be prepared for the long downtime of your questions will be discussed and agreed upon. Strive to get in touch with the boss, or the person who did something to solve.
And what customers are most problematic in your practice? And how do you cope?