The document provides guidance on effective client management for designers, emphasizing the importance of establishing credibility and managing expectations. It outlines strategies for gathering project requirements, handling client critiques, and setting realistic timelines and budgets. Additionally, it highlights best practices for pricing and maintaining a professional relationship, including the importance of meeting deadlines and ensuring open communication.

1. Staying sane (while still making money). Client Management 101 Prepared by: Rob Heller - Feb 16 th , 2010

2. Words of Wisdom Fabien Barral- 7 Rules To Understand Designers - http://www.fabienbarral.com/

3. Listen To The Clues… “ I don’t have a lot of money right now, but there is a lot of opportunity once it’s up and running…” “ We really don’t have a budget for this yet…” “ My nephew did a few designs for us that were really good...” “ All we need is a little facelift…”

4. How do you demonstrate your expertise? Establishing Credibility

5. For Starters… Whom Are You Selling?

6. Establishing Credibility Appearance Self Portfolio Correspondence Email Phone Comfort Zone Humor Sarcasm

7. Get invested. Project Management

8. Let’s Stay In Reality… “ Give me the content, the images, the fonts, the direction – and promise not to have any [major] changes” -Lol.

9. Build a [Realistic] Timeline When will you work on this project? Is anything out of your expertise? Budget time for editing/writing Put it on paper!

10. Start It Up! Get the right info by asking the right questions

11. Comping / Creating Go in different directions

12. “ What is THAT supposed to be?” Revisions & Wounded Pride

13. Can you make it “pop” more?

14. The Client Critique No excuses, only solutions Answer criticism with questions What don’t you like about it? What if we changed it to this? Would you rather see something lighter/darker? Never apologize for criticism Always apologize for mistakes

15. They made the worst suggestion in the world Ok, maybe not... How can you professionally meet the challenge? Is it, really? Yeah, it’s ridiculous! Make your idea their idea When all else fails…

16. Cha-ching. Budgeting & Pricing

17. Placing Price Onto Profession An artist was in a park one day when a woman approached him and asked him to draw a portrait of her. He agreed and quickly drew a sketch of her. After handing the sketch to her, she was pleased with the likeness and asked “How much do I owe you?” The artist replies “$5,000.” The woman screamed “But it only took you five minutes!” “ No Ma’am,” he replied, “it took me all my life.”

18. No Golden Rules, Just Good Practice Quote what your time is worth Work within the client’s budget Always get $$$ up front Halves or thirds work well Hourly rate vs Flat project cost Putting #’s on rounds of revisions rarely works But still keep track

19. Make sure you never, ever… Last, but not least…

20. Make Sure You Never, Ever… Miss a deadline Argue with the client Not design what the client asked for Say you’re almost done when you haven’t started yet Let the project drag

21. Make Sure You Always… Design within the cost of the project Voice your [important] concerns Hold your ground Request, not demand Have fun! (well, most of the time)

22. Now go home and watch LOST! Thank You!