projects – Premium Designers Philippines

How to Deal with Difficult Clients Without Losing Your Sanity?

Dealing with challenging clients and projects can be overwhelming, but understanding why these situations arise can help in working towards a successful resolution.

Here are some key points to consider when faced with difficult clients or projects:

1. Identify the problem

It’s important to take time to look at the details of the project and situation without jumping straight into problem-solving mode.

Gather as much information as possible about what it is that has caused dissatisfaction, confusion, or frustration in order to better assess how best to address it.

Ask questions if needed; such inquiries could reveal underlying issues which may have previously gone unnoticed.

2. Analyze causes

Once the issue has been determined, try to ascertain its root cause(s).

Issues may stem from unrealistic expectations set by either party (client/freelancer) right from the start of the project due to misunderstandings, lack of communication and/or knowledge gaps, or simply because one side set up rules too early on that no longer apply after further progress due to changing circumstances outside their control.

This leads us neatly onto our next point…

3. Negotiate solutions

During any negotiation process, it is essential not only to express your own opinion but also to listen closely and empathize with your client’s perspective in order to reach an agreement that works for both parties involved – especially if deadlines need revising or extra resources are required.

As long as everyone sticks together so far as achievable goals are discussed, then compromise should come easier than expected!

4. Document every step

Keeping detailed records of all conversations along with regular updates provides evidence should disputes arise later down the line regarding agreed terms and helps ensure each individual knows exactly where they stand throughout various stages of completion, avoiding additional stressors while keeping everybody informed at all times.

5. Stay positive & encourage proactivity

Difficulties might still crop up occasionally during even smooth-running jobs, but instead of wallowing in despair, take proactive steps forward, stay focused and committed, and find creative ways around certain obstacles rather than let them become insurmountable barriers blocking the way completely.

Showing resilience will only benefit the situation and develop stronger relationships between yourself and customers alike, building trust on a long-term basis!

6. Learn from experiences

Lastly, don’t forget to reflect on lessons learned after the job is completed, good, bad, or otherwise. Analyzing results received will provide invaluable insight into upcoming work and give prior warning of potential problems before they begin, making life much less stressful!

No matter what kind of client or project you encounter, remember there’s always a way around tricky scenarios, providing you remain composed and maintain professionalism and confidence…

With a bit of effort and creativity, dealing with “difficult” people/projects doesn’t require nearly as much effort as you might believe!

10 Response Scripts For Handling Common Client Objections

As a freelance designer, it’s natural to face objections from clients at some point in your career.

But don’t worry, with the right approach and response, you can turn these objections into opportunities and build a stronger relationship with your clients.

Here are the top 10 common client objections and response scripts to help you handle them like a pro:

1. Budget Concerns:

The client may feel that the proposed design is too expensive for their budget.

WHAT TO DO: Emphasize the importance of understanding the specific budget constraint and finding ways to adjust the scope of the project or use alternative solutions to stay within budget.

Objection: “I love your design, but it’s beyond my budget.”

Response: “I understand budget constraints. Can we discuss what specifically is causing the budget constraint? Perhaps there is a way to adjust the scope of the project or use alternative solutions to still achieve your desired outcome while staying within budget.”

They key here is to be transparent about your pricing and the value you bring to the project. Offer alternative solutions that can help stay within budget while still meeting the client’s needs.

2. Timing Issues

The client may need the project done faster than originally agreed upon.

WHAT TO DO: Highlight the importance of meeting the deadline while maintaining the quality of the work, and proposes to adjust the project timeline to accommodate the new deadline.

Objection: “I need the project done faster than we initially discussed.”

Response: “I understand the importance of meeting your deadline. Let’s take a look at the project timeline and see what can be adjusted to accommodate the new deadline while still maintaining the quality of the work.”

Be flexible and try to accommodate the new timeline, but also ensure that the quality of your work is not compromised. Proactively communicate with the client about the potential impact on the project schedule.

3. Quality Concerns

The client may not be satisfied with the design produced.

WHAT TO DO: Apologize for the issue and seeks to clarify the client’s expectations by asking for specific feedback on what they would like changed or improved.

Objection: “This doesn’t look like what I had in mind.”

Response: “I’m sorry to hear that. Can you share with me what specifically you would like changed or improved? I want to make sure I deliver a design that meets your expectations.”

The key here is to listen to the client’s concerns and seek specific feedback. Be open to making changes to the design based on their input, but also be clear about what you are and are not able to do within the scope of the project.

4. Lack of Creative Control

The client may want more input on the design process.

WHAT TO DO: Value the client’s input and proposes a meeting to discuss their ideas and incorporate them into the design.

Objection: “I want more input on the design process.”

Response: “Of course! I value your input and would love to work with you to ensure the design meets your vision. Can we schedule a meeting to discuss your ideas and incorporate them into the design?”

The key here is to validate the client’s input and be willing to incorporate their ideas into the design process. Seek to find a balance between the client’s vision and your expertise as a designer.

5. Unclear Requirements

The client may feel that the design doesn’t meet their expectations.

WHAT TO DO: Apologize for the miscommunication and seeks to clarify the client’s requirements by asking for more detail on what they were hoping for.

Objection: “This isn’t what I asked for.”

Response: “I apologize if there was miscommunication. Can you please provide me with more detail on what you were hoping for? I want to make sure I deliver a design that meets your needs.”

The key here is to clearly define the scope of the project with the client and seek to clarify their requirements as early as possible in the design process. Ask for specific feedback and be open to making changes to meet their expectations.

6. Changes in Scope

The client may want to add more to the project.

WHAT TO DO: Acknowledge the potential impact on the timeline and budget and proposes to discuss the new requirements and determine the best way to incorporate them into the project.

Objection: “I want to add more to the project.”

Response: “Adding additional work to the project may affect the timeline and budget. Can we discuss the new requirements and determine the best way to incorporate them into the project while still meeting your expectations?”

The key here is to be transparent about the potential impact of additional work on the timeline and budget. Seek to find a solution that meets the client’s new requirements while still delivering a high-quality product.

7. Unsatisfied with Previous Work

The client may have been unhappy with the designer’s previous work.

WHAT TO DO: Apologize for the dissatisfaction and seeks specific feedback on what the client was dissatisfied with, with the goal of delivering a design that meets their expectations and addresses any previous concerns.

Objection: “I was not happy with your previous work.”

Response: “I’m sorry to hear that. Can you please provide me with specific feedback on what you were dissatisfied with? I want to make sure I deliver a design that meets your expectations and addresses any previous concerns.”

The key here is to apologize for the dissatisfaction and seek specific feedback. Be open to making changes to address any previous concerns and demonstrate a commitment to delivering a better product this time.

8. Lack of Communication

The client may feel that the designer has not been communicating enough.

WHAT TO DO: Apologize for the lack of communication and proposes a call to catch up on the project status and discuss any questions or concerns the client may have.

Objection: “I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

Response: “I apologize for the lack of communication. Can we schedule a call to catch up on the project status and discuss any questions or concerns you may have?”

The key here is to proactively communicate with the client to ensure they are aware of the project status and any updates. Be responsive to their inquiries and concerns, and seek to establish a regular communication schedule.

9. Technical Limitations

The client may feel that the design won’t work with their platform or technology.

WHAT TO DO: Acknowledge the importance of compatibility and seeks to find a solution that meets both the design and technical needs by asking for more detail on the technical limitations.

Objection: “This design won’t work for my platform/technology.”

Response: “I understand the importance of compatibility. Can you please provide more detail on the limitations? Let’s work together to find a solution that meets both your design and technical needs.”

The key here is to be aware of the technical requirements of the project and seek to find a solution that meets both the design and technical needs. Ask for more detail on the technical limitations and be transparent about what you are able to do within the scope of the project.

10. Unhappy with Pricing

The client may feel that the designer’s fee is too high.

WHAT TO DO: Acknowledge the client’s concern and seeks to understand the specific issue by discussing what is causing the cost concern and finding ways to adjust the scope of the project or find alternative solutions to still achieve the desired outcome while staying within budget.

Objection: “Your fee is too high.”

Response: “I understand cost is a concern. Can we discuss what specifically is causing the issue? Perhaps there is a way to adjust the scope of the project or find alternative solutions to still achieve your desired outcome while staying within budget.”

They key here is to be transparent about your pricing and the value you bring to the project. Seek to understand the specific issue with the pricing and find ways to adjust the scope of the project or find alternative solutions that still achieve the desired outcome while staying within budget.

By anticipating and addressing these common objections, you can turn potentially negative situations into positive ones and build a stronger relationship with your clients. Good luck!

The Top 6 Reasons You’re Not Getting High-Paying Clients

As a freelance designer, landing high-paying clients is critical to earning a competitive salary and scaling your business.

However, attracting premium clients isn’t a matter of luck—it comes down to demonstrating significant value through your brand, skills, work, and rates.

If your personal brand, design skills, or work doesn’t stand out as premium services in a client’s eyes, they won’t be willing to pay premium rates.

So, if you’re struggling to land your ideal clients or estimate how much to charge, check out these common reasons freelancers have trouble attracting or earning what they deserve from high-paying clients and what you can do to position yourself for success in your freelance business.

Reason #1. Your brand’s perceived value is low.

As a freelance designer, your personal brand is what sells your services to clients.

If your brand looks amateurish or low-quality, high-paying clients won’t take your services seriously or see the value in paying premium rates.

To attract your ideal clients, it’s important to establish a professional and polished brand that positions you as a top-tier provider worth your premium fees.

Here are some ways to boost your brand’s perceived value:

Build a professional website. A custom domain and polished website show potential clients you’re the real deal. Explain your design process, share your experience, and show off your best work.
Present yourself professionally on social media. Personal social media accounts make you look like a hobbyist. Create business profiles and share insights into your industry and work. Engage with your audience to start building trust and relationships.
Use a business email. An email like ‘[email protected]’ makes you look unprofessional. An email address like ‘[email protected]’ is much more credible and helps you stand out in a client’s inbox.
Have consistent branding. Use the same logo, color scheme, and overall style for your website, social media, business cards, invoices, and other collateral. This reinforces your brand and authority as a designer.

By positioning yourself as a professional, polished brand, you’ll appear more qualified to high-paying clients and have an easier time attracting your ideal projects.

Reason #2. The quality of your design is average.

The quality and uniqueness of your design work is a key factor in landing high-paying clients.

If your designs look like generic templates or everything else out there, clients won’t see the value in paying higher rates for your services over other designers.

To stand out and attract your ideal clients, it’s essential to strengthen your skills and develop a distinctive style.

Here are some Pro tips to strengthen your skills and stand out:

Developing your own aesthetic and style. What designs or styles interest you? What makes your work unique? Refine a distinctive style and set of skills through your project selections and personal projects. Highlight what sets your work apart in your portfolio.
Getting inspired by designer portfolios you admire. Analyze what you like about industry leaders’ work. How can you achieve a similar caliber of creativity or design? Study their use of color, typography, images, and other elements. Try recreating pieces you like as exercises.
Continuously practicing and gathering feedback. Set aside time each day to practice new techniques or work on side projects. Request feedback from other designers or mentors and incorporate their constructive criticism into your process.

By showcasing increasingly more polished and original work, positioning yourself as a skilled designer who stays on the cutting-edge of trends, and continuously refining your skills, you’ll have a better chance of attracting clients who will pay higher rates for your premium design services.

Reason #3. Your work does not solve a real problem.

The purpose and substance of your design work is also one of the keys to attracting high-paying clients.

If your designs only focus on aesthetics rather than solving problems or meeting key needs, clients won’t see the value in your services.

To demonstrate premium value, it’s essential to understand clients’ challenges in depth and craft solutions that provide significant, tangible impact.

Here are a few ways to do it:

Identifying clients’ key pain points and needs. What problems do your target clients need help solving? What goals do they need to achieve? How can design specifically alleviate their pain or meet important needs? Gaining a deep understanding of their challenges will allow you to craft solutions that provide significant value.
Incorporating strategy and content, not just aesthetics. Include user research, competitor analysis, and content creation as part of your process. The more insight and substance you can provide, the more useful your work will be. Higher-paying clients will appreciate this additional effort and insight.
Getting client input early and often. Work closely with clients to fully grasp their objectives and obstacles. This leads to designs that solve actual problems and exceed expectations. Making clients part of the process also results in a superior final product and demonstrates your investment in their success.

By focusing on solving real problems and delivering work with substance and purpose, you’ll build a reputation for effecting change and your clients will be happy to pay a premium for your valuable design services.

Reason #4. You’re not articulating the value of your work.

If you can’t effectively communicate the purpose, strategy, and results of your design work, high-paying clients won’t understand why they should pay premium rates for your services.

To convey the value you provide and attract your ideal clients, get in the habit of clearly articulating the benefits of your process and work.

Here are some ways to effectively articulating your value:

Explain your design process. Communicate how your process leads to innovative strategies and solutions. For example, describe how user research informs your work, how you analyze competitors, or how you collaborate with clients to achieve their goals.
Quantify results and impact. Go beyond generic statements about client satisfaction and share specific, measurable impacts and results of your work. For example, note how your designs led to a X% increase in conversions or saved clients time/money.
Share client testimonials or case studies. Include endorsements from happy clients or in-depth case studies of projects you’ve delivered impact and value. This social proof helps prospects see your potential value.
Confidently communicate your fees. If you’re shy about your rates, clients won’t recognize your experience and the return on their investment. Explain the superior service and results they’ll receive to justify your fees.

While your design work may speak for itself, you need to be an effective communicator to convey your value to clients.

By clearly explaining your process, quantifying your impact, sharing social proof, and confidently stating your fees, you’ll paint a compelling picture of the return-on-investment clients can expect from your services.

With a reputation for delivering meaningful results and articulating your premium value, you’ll attract more of your ideal high-paying clients.

Reason #5. You’re not easy to find online for clients.

If prospective clients can’t easily discover your services through search or online channels, they won’t be able to become actual clients.

To attract more high-paying clients, make sure you’re highly visible in the places your target clients are frequent.

Here are some tips to increase your online visibility:

Optimize your website for search. Use relevant keywords, page titles, and descriptions so you rank higher in Google for terms your target clients search for. The more visibility you gain, the more traffic and clients you’ll attract.
Share your work on design-focused platforms. Contribute and post your latest work on Behance, Dribbble, and other design community sites. This taps into established audiences of clients and prospects.
Grow your social media followers. Share updates, tips, and work samples on LinkedIn, Twitter, and other networks. Engage with and follow fellow designers and business connections to increase exposure to your brand and services.
Build relationships and get referrals. While online channels are important, word-of-mouth referrals can be very valuable. Develop genuine relationships with past and current clients and other colleagues or connections who can refer business your way.

In today’s digital world, if clients can’t find you online, they can’t become actual clients.

While doing great work is essential, you need to combine that with online visibility and discoverability.

By optimizing your online presence—from your website to social media to industry platforms and networks—you’ll have more opportunities to get your services in front of your ideal high-paying clients.

Reason #6. You’re not charging enough for your services.

If your rates are too low, high-paying clients won’t recognize the value you provide and you’ll struggle to earn a competitive salary as a freelancer.

Do research to determine the appropriate range for your experience and services so you can attract premium clients and grow your freelance business.”

Here are a few things you can do:

Evaluate industry standards. Research the typical rates for designers with your experience and expertise. View the rates of freelancers at a similar point in their career on sites like Upwork.com, Freelancer.com or Payscale.com. Aim for the mid to upper range as you develop your skills and portfolio.
Account for overheads. Factor in the costs of running your business to determine a sustainable rate, including the expenses of design software, equipment, and other tools; taxes; business insurance; and healthcare. Your rates need to cover your costs and generate a profit.
Focus on value, not fees. Explain the value of your services to prospective clients instead of leading with your fees. Communicate the experience, skills, time and effort their project will receive. When the value is clear, your rates will seem more reasonable.

While doing work you enjoy is important as a freelancer, earning a fair salary for your talents is essential.

By researching industry rates and determining the real costs of your services, you’ll gain the confidence to attract your ideal premium clients by showcasing the value you provide, not justifying your fees.

With this mindset, you’ll build a thriving freelance business and start earning what you deserve.

Conclusion

While breaking into premium client work can feel challenging, by focusing on demonstrating value through your brand, skills, work, and rates, you’ll put yourself on the path to success.

Believe in the value you offer, continue learning and improving, and don’t be afraid to reach for your ideal clients and fees.

As your confidence grows, you’ll start attracting more of the clients and earning the rates that will take your freelance business to the next level. Keep putting one foot in front of the other—you’ve got this!