Issue #50
May 03, 2007

Welcome to Inside Freelance Design (IFD), your free, bi-weekly e-letter from American Writers & Artists Inc. Every other week, you can receive this special alert with secrets, tips, and insights from AWAI's graphic design pros to help you improve your skills and reach your goal of becoming a professional graphic designer in the fastest time possible.

IN THIS ISSUE:
  • Your Secret Power Over Your Client by Will Newman
  • Quick Tip: Image Resolution Demystified
  • EXTRA! EXTRA! News and Job Opportunities
Your Secret Power Over Your Client
By Will Newman

There’s a client I’ve worked with for a while who uses my copywriting services 2 or 3 times a year. He’s not my top client, but does use me regularly and likes my work.

Well, recently something happened with this client that I wanted to share with my friends at Inside Freelance Design.

I did a job for him, and nearly 8 weeks went by with no check in the mail. I was also having trouble getting him to respond to my e-mails.

I thought, “My gosh, he’s trying to cheat me!”

I was tempted to start sending him emails threatening a lawsuit. But I held off. I’ve been doing this freelance gig long enough to know that harsh words written or said to a client can never be taken back.

So I waited. I kept in contact ... but did not nag. Instead, I sent links to articles related to his business. I would end these positive, helpful (I hoped) emails with a gentle reminder about the money he owed me. I grit my teeth when I sent those messages, but I knew I was doing the right thing.

Patience Pays Off

Last week, I received his check. And that same day, I got an email describing his next project, a contract for a good fee ... along with an explanation for the delayed payment.

His start fee sits in my PayPal account as I write this. Do I believe the reason he gave me for the delay? Why not? I’m still working with him, and he’s eager to continue working with me on more projects.

This experience brings up an important point: No matter how skilled you are, there are always going to be other DM-trained designers eager to take your jobs. And, all other factors being equal, clients choose designers who are easy to work with.

They’re not looking for pushovers, but they want to work with people who understand the stresses of doing business and will not add to those stresses with aggressive, in-your-face behavior.

Your Mother Was Right!

Being polite and courteous makes clients love to work with you. So does offering to do a little extra work -- without asking for extra money. Mom’s admonition when you were a kid to “play nice” translates to “work nice” in the professional world. And when she told you to “watch what you say,” ... well, that’s good counsel whether you’re 5 or 75. A gruff remark tossed out in anger or frustration echoes in your client’s ears forever.

A Few Pointers for “Working Nice”

  1. Never send off an angry email until someone else reads it. This buys you time to cool down – and, if you’re lucky, the other person will convince you not to send it.
  2. Do not call a client if you are really upset with them.
  3. Smile when you’re talking on the phone, even if you’re upset. (See #2.) Smiling softens your voice and makes you sound more agreeable.
  4. Before insisting that something is exactly as you said it was, check it out. Taking time to research a contentious issue is another way to buy yourself time to cool off. (And it keeps you from looking foolish in the event that you were wrong.)
  5. “Please” can sound forced or sarcastic in a business setting. It’s sometimes better to say something like “I’d really appreciate if you could …”
  6. “I’m hoping you can help me” can turn a potential adversary into an ally.
  7. “Thank you.” And “I’ve really enjoyed working with you.” And “I hope to work with you again.” You love hearing things like that, don’t you? So do your clients.

Ours is a small industry compared to most. Word gets around if you’re a positive, client-friendly designer. Or if you’re not.

But let’s be frank. If you’re a designer who consistently produces winners in the mail, maybe you can afford not to care about how you treat your clients. Just keep in mind, though, that most of the really top designers – people like Lori Haller and Roger Parker- – are also some of the kindest, most considerate professionals you could hope to meet.

Maybe it’s a coincidence that they naturally happen to be endowed with great graphic skills. Or maybe it’s because people who are courteous and easy to work with get the most work and the most practice. And the most word-of-mouth referrals.

And that’s what success in this business is all about.

* * * * * * * * Highly Recommended * * * * * * * *

We are often asked by our design members what design software they should buy. With so many different products on the market the choice can be confusing.

To make the decision easier, we’ve put together The Designer's Guide to Buying Software: Everything You Need to Know to Choose the Right Software for Your Graphic Design Business.

Learn more by clicking here: www.thedesignerslife.com/buyingsoftware

QUICK TIP: A Quick Fix for Image Resolution Confusion

When do you use 72 dpi? Is 600 dpi ever too small? How do you determine a photo’s true dimensions before you stretch or shrink it in your layout program?

Image resolution can be one of the biggest problems for new graphic designers, probably second only to managing color. But there is an easy, free resource that will help you cut through the confusion.

The royalty-free image site iStockPhoto has an article with clear, concise explanations at: www.istockphoto.com/article_view.php?ID=199.

And while you’re there, look around at the high-quality, inexpensive stock images.

* * * * * * * * Advertisement * * * * * * * *

Are You Worried That Your Computer Skills Are Holding You Back?

Learn how you can fix your "problem" areas … and find solutions to all kinds of problems you might be facing at this very moment by clicking here: www.awaionline.com/basics

EXTRA! EXTRA! News and Job Opportunities
  • WEB DESIGNER – Mobius New Media, a design firm in Wilmington, DE, seeks a talented Web designer with a background in print design. You must have HTML and CSS skills, as well as impeccable designs skills. You must be organized and detail-oriented. Send your resume and URLs pointing to work you’ve done to jobs@mobiusnm.com.
  • GRAPHIC DESIGNER – The Talent Tree, in Anaheim, CA, is looking to place a graphic designer with an established firm. You’ll work on catalogs, flyers, website design, promotional materials, and more. Experience with photography and a knowledge of branding is a plus. Either a degree or proven experience is required. Send your letter of interest and resume to Shani.Malcolm@talenttree.com.
  • AGENCY DESIGNER – Michael Walters Advertising in Chicago needs an energetic designer who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You should have experience in both print and Web and a background doing designs for the health care, real estate, and retail industries. Knowledge of Quark, Photoshop, and Illustrator are a must. Send your resume and salary requirements along with pdf work samples (or links to online samples) to jobs@michaelwaltersadvertising.com.
COMING NEXT ISSUE:
  • A Hidden Feature in Acrobat that Saves You Tons of Work
  • Quick Tip: Computer Maintenance to Keep Your Business Profitable
* ABOUT INSIDE FREELANCE DESIGN *

Inside Freelance Design is a FREE bi-weekly newsletter from American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends.

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