Difficult Client? Here’s how to deal.

Honestly, 99% of my clients are wonderful, understanding, and always pay on time…but occasionally, a bad apple crosses my path. Every professional freelance graphic designer has their own way of dealing with difficult clients. Here’s my method, it’s not rocket science:

1. Remain calm! Sometimes the issues stems from a simple misunderstanding and can be cleared up by a quick conversation. Don’t use fancy design jargon if a simple conversation is in order, that could only create more tension between you and the client. Speak to clients in terms they can grasp and understand, but don’t talk to them like children.

2. Remain professional! If the client is being unreasonable after identifying the issue, keep a cool head and don’t break your professionalism. Burning bridges is never a good idea in the freelance world. A client you have today could turn into a referral in the future. The client might be difficult now, but they still have the potential to be satisfied once the project is completed.

3. Remain respectful! You’ve remained calm and professional, but the client is still being difficult. Keep your cool and be respectful. Blow off steam to your friends, family or bartenders. Blowing up at a difficult client will only make the situation worse, and for me personally, I’d feel guilty about something of this nature for days. Spare your mental health at all costs.

These are simple, common sense methods for dealing with difficult clients. One pretty clear method to avoiding issues with clients is having a design agreement or contract. A signed contract lays out what is expected of you the designer, and the clients, and can often weed out difficult clients (like the ones in search of a $5 logo). I plan to do a whole post on contracts in the future, they’re just that important but for now keep these methods in mind when dealing with difficult clients.