7 Warning Signs that your client won’t pay – Red Alert! |
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Picture the movie “The Runaway Bride”! Recall how Julia Roberts runs away from the altar, ditching her fiancés? Now replace Julia Roberts with your client, and put yourself in the Bridegroom’s place. A client ditching you in the middle of a logo design project…Scary isn’t it? But this is the reality that designers must be aware of, especially when starting your career as a logo designer. Logo designers master in the art of designing and not in client handling. One simply cannot expect them to be a master of dealing with clients as that is not their forte. Many clients fuss over designers’ salaries and payments, but some go to the extent of not paying them at all. Hence it is necessary for a logo designer to be aware of the signs that tell that your client will not be paying you your hard earned money. |
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1. Payments overdue: |
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| This is one of the common signs that show your client is not interested in getting the design from you. When you are dealing in installments and not getting them, it shows either the client has changed his mind or does want to pay you anymore. | |
2. Ignoring your calls or emails: |
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| A client/designer relationship is similar to any personal relationship. Just like when your partner starts ignoring or stops answering your calls, you get suspicious of him/her. Similarly, when your client stops replying to your calls or emails, you can be well prepared to get dumped by him. | |
3. Having second thoughts: |
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Just when all things seem to be going jolly good, your client starts acting funny. Your clients starts having “second thoughts” on the project and wants you to keep the project “on hold” for a while. This is when the client has either lost interest in you or is just finding a way to evade from the venture. It is one of the shrewdest ways that some clients use to escape from not paying you. |
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4. Seeing other designers: |
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Just like when you’re in a relationship and your partner is seeing other people, it’s a sign you are going to get ditched soon someday. Similarly, when your client is in contact with other logo designers as well, you can be well prepared that he will not be paying you and switching over to another designer. |
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5. You’re being constantly ridiculed: |
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I’ve come across a few clients who have a humorous nature and tend to joke about things a lot. To make jokes is one thing, but to constantly ridicule your skills and designs is entirely another thing. Imagine how you would feel when your designer constantly mocks your logo design saying “My 5-year-old son can make a better design than you”. This signals that your client is not interested in getting the design made from you and will eventually not pay you a single penny. |
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6. Asks if he/she can “pay later”: |
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| This is one of the most heard excuses that clients make when they do not want to pay you. Whenever you hear the sentence, “My account is overdrawn, can I pay you later?” you can be fail-safe that your client is either unable to pay you, or is making excuses of not reimbursing you. | |
7. Acting indifferent during meetings: |
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| Signs of boredom are an ideal warning that your client isn’t interesting in dealing with you anymore. When you call your client for a logo design briefing, observe the attitude. If he’s least bothered in what you’re saying or is constantly yawning sarcastically you can be sure that your going to be stood up in the middle of the project. | |
How to cope with clients who don’t pay:You might be wondering why I have given all the signs and no solutions to this dilemma. Don’t worry! Through my next post I would recommend you some ways to cope up with clients who don’t pay up. |
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November 9th, 2010 at 12:05 am
Very nice,, well researched article!!!
November 9th, 2010 at 3:28 am
Holds good for all industries….
November 9th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Very nice however paying later not really warning sign
November 10th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Great article! Being good at what you do has nothing to do with client’ handling. Clients, who change their mind in the middle of the design project, are giving you first sign that things are not working out. The best approach is to ask for their feedback and find a solution. Another approach is to ask detailed, open-ended questions (how are you going to incorporate this logo onto your existing products?) that could provide some answers before your clients stop returning phone calls.
If you have done some work but did not get paid and have a difficult time reaching your client — send them a bill with a hand-written note asking to pay for your time.
November 18th, 2010 at 6:01 am
On a slightly different tack, I had a client who eventually paid but only when he had another project to do.
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“Hey Dave! I owe you some money for that last project. Sorry, I’ve been busy lately. Listen, I’m near your studio right now, can I pop by and give the cheque? Great! By the way, I’ve got a little job that needs doing. Can you fit me in?”
I heard that so many times but I was too timid to say anything. These days, I always work in phases and ask for half in advance on each phase and invoice the second half before starting the next phase. I take the invoices with me to the presentations and, assuming all goes well, hand them over at the end (preferably straight to accounts).
One of the tricks to doing this is to be as normal and nonchalant about it as possible. Soon it’ll become second nature and your clients will see it as efficiency rather than desperation
David
February 10th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
This is a very important to keep in mind. Thank you for these valuable tips.