Here a Guest Post, There a Guest Post, Everywhere a Freelance Guest Post

In case you haven't discovered it on your own yet, I'm the guest blogger of the day over at Deb Ng's Freelance Writing Gigs. Check out my article, When a "Screw You!" Isn't Enough.

Now to return the favor, I present to you my very first guest blogger, Heather Johnson. If anyone else is interested in guest blogging here, just shoot me an email.

5 Ways to handle a Cranky Client
by Heather Johnson

It would be awesome if every freelancing gig you got was the one you wanted, you got paid on time and the client loved your work. Welcome to reality. In the freelancing world you’d be lucky if this happened to you three times out of four. It’s the times you encounter a client with the tact of a tack that really drives you crazy. Check out the helpful tips that follow to guide you the next time your client makes your skin crawl:

1. Listen to the client’s gripe. If the client feels that you are seriously listening to what their problem is then they will immediately calm down. If you are combative when they’re trying to explain their issue then the matter is only going to get worse. Try simply saying, “I understand you’re aggravated and let’s try to come up with a solution.” This will go a long way towards diffusing the situation.
2. Identify the root of the problem. Once the client has said his or her piece try to reiterate the problem back to them. Say, “You wanted that but you got this.” If they know that you’re aware of the real problem then they’re going to be more receptive to your ideas about how to fix it.
3. Don’t point any fingers. As much as you want to rip the other guy’s head off, this will get you nowhere. Regardless of who is in the wrong and how clearly they are wrong, resist the temptation to call them out on it. At this point, this is simply counterproductive.
4. Pledge that you’ll work to solve the problem. Once you’ve apologized for the breakdown in communication it’s time to move forward. At this point it’s best to reach a consensus as to how to move forward and implement a solution. If the client thinks that you two have turned the page on the issue then they’re going to be more willing to work together on the solution. It’s not possible to go back in time and fix something that already happened. Whatever the original issue happened to be it’s now over and done with. Move forward towards the solution.
5. Don’t dwell on the error. So you’ve fixed the mistake and you’re ready to move on to the next job, right? Not so fast. Chances are that you’re going to let this experience fester. Try to bury the incident and if you do think about it then think about the positive way you worked with the client to solve the problem amicably. This will be a tough step to master but it’ll make you a better freelancer because the next idiot is just around the corner.




By-line:

Heather Johnson is a freelance business, finance and credit writer, as well as a regular contributor for Business Credit Cards, a site for comparing business credit cards. She welcomes questions, comments, and freelancing job inquiries at her email address heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.