Fight, Cry, Complain or Curse, but There Only Two Ways of Dealing with Unfair Client Demands

If you ever thought (or hoped) that over time you'll be able to rid yourself of clients trying to take advantage of you - if through your years of experience and training that you'll rid yourself of clients asking or demanding unfair things...you'd be wrong. Whether you're an aspiring freelancer or a vet, clients are going to CONSTANTLY be asking you to do things beyond what is fair.

The only two successful defenses to this are:

A)      Quit freelancing

B)      Learn how to effectively deal with them

(Of course you could just keep giving into client demands and complain about it to other freelancers, or you may tell the client to 'get bent', but that probably wouldn't be good for business. These two approaches are certainly options available to you, but they aren't very successful)

Am I above clients asking me for unfair things? Are you kidding me? It happens ALL of the time, for example, I got this one late morning on Friday...try to hold your laughter until you get through the entire message...

"Hi Jeremy,
Can you please create a template letterhead today if possible? Last night I was requested to provide a proposal to a client and don't know how to lay out letterhead.I will need this as soon as possible and knowing you, I won't worry. Thanks for understanding!"

Wow, this is presumptuous. The client assumes I am not working with any other clients and I have more than enough time to get her project started, approved and completed within less than 24 hours. There's no mention of paying for the project, no mention that he's willing to pay a rush charge. Instead the client uses the technique of flattering me by indicating that no matter how ridiculous or unfair the demand is, I'll have the ability to come through for him. He finishes this masterpiece off by assuming that I'll understand his position and will therefore do what he's asked.

What do you say that?
How can you avoid having to work overtime to please this guy, and yet not lose him as a client?

If you had Verbal Kung Fu for Freelancers you'd know exactly.

My quick advice would be to first decide if you can do the project and then have a quick but clear conversation with the client and tactfully explain how you can best help them. You don't have to get mad here, just educate your client on what you can and can't do for him.

For my situation, I did the project, charged a little extra and let the client know that I'll do my best to help him out of a bind in the future but I couldn't guarantee it.

PS - Hey, if you're going through and checking out all of current as well as archived blog entries that's cool, I am glad that I am able to provide you with some valuable information on freelancing. I would ask you that you consider purchasing one of the books or resources I have available and supporting what I am doing if I am helping to support what you're doing. Fair enough?