You have poured your heart and soul into the recent project you received from your client. From your perspective, the results exceed your client’s expectations. However, after presenting the project to your client, they tell you, “It’s a great start, but it needs a few tweaks.”
After catching your breath, you start to think about your options. To proceed, you must take the proper steps. So, how can you retain your client and not waste extra time?
We provide tips on proceeding when a client wants you to change your work.
1. Know When to Be Firm and When to Be Flexible
At times, a client’s request for change is reasonable. The changes fall within the parameters of the original job description. Sometimes, though, clients make changes out of the blue, at the last minute, or as a power-play.
You need to know when to be firm and when to make the necessary tweaks. If it is a long-term client, focus on keeping the peace whenever possible. The changes may be minor. If they are, you may be able to make them without impacting your bottom line.
Some clients have an idea of what they want but have difficulty explaining it. Once they see the finished product, they are better able to communicate. Still, you have to set proper boundaries. Otherwise, you may get caught up in making constant changes for free.
Spinning your wheels to make your client happy will impact your business! So, work hard to ensure that does not happen.
2. Get to Know Your Client Better
As difficult as it can be, when your time gets wasted, you need to look at things from your client’s perspective. They may not realize that something vital was missing until they see the final product. So, they ask you to do more work on it.
If it’s a set project rate that’s taking a lot more time, consider your relationship with your client. If you’re comfortable, ask them to pay more before making any changes. But if it’s a quick fix, go ahead and make it without making a fuss about it.
Afterward, your client may realize how much effort you put into the project. Then, they may reward you with more work or a bonus.
3. Set Clear Guidelines
Having a written contract is a great way to minimize clients wanting more work than you discussed. The contract should outline the work that you agreed upon. It should also outline how much you charge for any changes.
In your contract, layout the following:
- Payment method
- Work requirements
- Payment schedules
- Number of revisions included
- How much you charge for extra modifications and travel
For example, suppose your client wants you to travel for work unexpectedly. In that case, you could stipulate in advance that you wish to have workforce housing. Traveling for work should also include what you expect as a per diem and other travel-related expenses.
Once the requirements are all set, the scope of the work project is easier to define. You’ll know whether you’ve completed the needs based on their feedback and the contract.
4. Trust Your Skill Level
Say your client asks you to fix something, and you know they are wrong. If you believe you’ve submitted high-quality work, stick to your guns. Don’t make changes to your work that are going to lower the quality of it. Again, it is your reputation that is on the line.
Explain to them politely yet confidently why their ideas won’t work. It has to be more than just a gut feeling. Present it to them logically. And base your arguments on your professional experience and judgment.
If they’re a fair client, they will respect your work expertise. From there, you can come up with a solution together.
5. Teach your Client How to Work with You
As a freelancer, you must protect your time and bottom line. You have to teach your clients to value your time as well.
So, how do you teach your clients to work with you? First, you could set an introductory hourly rate for the project. Plus, you can set a higher hourly rate for any extra work beyond its original scope. This way, they will be mindful of the cost of requiring future changes.
Communicating with your client often helps you both stay in touch. You’ll get used to one another’s styles and it’ll be easier to work with one another. As your communication improves, having to redo things should happen less. So, focus on developing a good relationship with your client.
Solutions Moving Forward
Working with a client who constantly requests changes can be a headache. Yet, there are solutions to prevent ongoing changes moving forward. All it takes is training your clients.
As a recap, you must:
- Write a good contract
- Be firm yet flexible
- See things from your client’s point of view
Do all this, and any frustrations from either party should be minimal.
