ADVICE / 23
today on the advice column we answer this question: “what do you do when a client changes the dates on you and needs it sooner than you agreed upon?”
KATIE’S ANSWER:
if a client needs something sooner than we agreed i will look at my other work and see if i can move other things around. if i’m slammed i will tell them it just isn’t possible. there is the option of busting your butt staying up all night, but you should charge them a rush fee. that fee is up to you. whatever makes it worth it. make sure they approve the rush fee before pulling all-nighters. i usually charge an additional 50%, but that varies based on the project and how small or large it is.
BRI’S ANSWER:
people get excited to see their designs. they have been dreaming up their website or logo in their heads for probably months so they are generally really anxious to see the finished product. if there is a legit reason for why they need it sooner, then I usually do my best to meet their deadline. but like katie said, that’s only if I have the ability to shift around other projects. people often forget you are not usually working on only their project and you can’t always just move around your schedule.
i have charged a rush fee (i do time and a half usually), i have done it for free, i’ve said “sorry, can’t” before. it all really depends on the circumstances. and as much as people want their designs FAST, they will also appreciate a quality product and that takes time.
(illustration by katie evans. more freelance advice posts are here.)
7 Comments
Add your own1. Pegah S | July 5th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
what about working for friend? do you guys do it? do you charge them “friend” fees?
2. bri | July 5th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
hi pegah! check out this post all about that!
http://www.designlovefest.com/2012/03/advice-7/
3. bethany | July 5th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
What happens if a client tells you after the project is over that you took too long to do it, but did not express any sign of frustration or impatience when the work was in progress? I’m dealing with this right now, and I should clarify this by saying that I did not take your aforementioned advice and was working without a contract, but still. I guess my real question is, how do you deal with the assholes that just don’t want to pay up?
4. fathima | July 5th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Super helpful post! Thanks, guys
I hate that I feel guilty when charging people. I know it’s unreasonable and am slowly getting over it. Your advice really helps!
5. Calee (@chimes) | July 6th, 2012 at 9:23 am
I LOVE this post! I’m glad I’m not the only one that charges more or says “no”.
I worked as an in-house designer for nearly 5 years and we could NEVER say no. My old boss would overcommit and I started working late nights, weekends and pulling all-nighters (I work in higher ed … so we’re talking volume, not quality here). It was ridiculous.
But freelance-wise, I always ask for a deadline and if somebody needs something sooner, it needs to have a reason (like our event got rescheduled for next weekend or my product got blogged about and i have 600 orders for something without packaging).
and RE: Working without a contract and expecting to get paid — you just have to bite the bullet on that one. You don’t have a contract. Rule number one of freelance design: ALWAYS have a contract. Even if it’s for pro-bono work. Sorry you had to learn the hard way!
6. Sari | July 6th, 2012 at 9:29 am
Thank you so much for this. I run a handmade furniture boutique, and build the furniture myself. Though are clients are aware that we take up to 3 months, and a minimum of 2, to finish building their furniture when they order it they push from day 1 about where it is already. We stay super slammed and many times I feel I’m like a rope being pulled around by pushy clients.
7. Jennifer M. | July 9th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Excellent tips! I haven’t had this problem yet (I’m still just starting out!) but I have run into the problem of a very urgent-sounding inquiry that I respond to and then never hear another word from them. I get all excited about a possible job and then… silence… Don’t they realize what they’re doing to me? Lol.
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