The collaboration that goes into copywriting can be the most exciting part of the job–but there are times that a client will do something that makes working with them a little less fun. But, that doesn’t mean they are bad clients! Every time a client does something that irritates you or makes it more difficult for you to do your job, there’s an opportunity there for you to help them become better clients and for you to improve your process as a professional.
In this episode of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast Nicki and Kate are walking you through the difficult situations that come up the most. They share ways that you can positively respond to each challenge and give guidance on how you can prevent the issues from popping up in the first place. Enjoy!
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Looking for closed captioning or a transcript? Watch the episode on YouTube!
A Sneak Peek at the Episode
[0:57] Nicki and Kate introduce today’s topic which is how to handle tough situations with clients. However, keep in mind that most of the time you will have pleasant experiences with clients; but you still need to be ready for the difficult ones so that you’re prepared for everything. Clients don’t know how to be clients, so learning how to guide them as clients is essential.
[3:14] Nicki points out that when a client does something that isn’t ideal or makes it more difficult to work with them, it may be because of something you did. Take a moment to look within yourself and find out if you could do anything differently so that it never happens again.
[4:14] One common issue that comes up is when clients take a long time to send you feedback after you submit the copy. A way to make sure you get feedback when you need it is to give your client a deadline for sending you their thoughts on the copy.
[10:42] Kate explains that anytime you run into a friction point with a client is an opportunity to refine your process for the future. Find out what you can do to help both you and the client have the best experience possible.
[11:42] Another issue that may come up is a client asking for changes to be made to copy after the project has finished; and that means finished as in invoice sent. Nicki and Kate discuss the best way to handle this in the moment and how you can be clear about an invoice marking the finality of a project.
[15:53] Sometimes a client will change the project drastically right in the middle of your timeline for completing it. Nicki acknowledges that sometimes this problem can’t be avoided for whatever reason, but also notes that you need to make sure you’re getting paid for the work that was already done. Don’t do the work of a project and a half for the price of one!
[20:12] You’ll probably receive feedback that you disagree with at some point in your career. Nicki and Kate dive into how to take that feedback and when it’s right to diplomatically push back against it.
[26:07] Kate points out that you may run into a project where you turned in the final copy, and your client loved it, but for some reason they made a last second change without involving you. The hosts explain that the best way to address this situation is to simply ask why the change was made and include other tips for how to prevent this from happening.
[32:07] A frustrating issue that can come up when working with clients is a meeting being moved last minute. Kate notes that while this isn’t ideal, you need to be understanding and aware that usually this is out of the client’s control. She also gives a tip for scheduling that can prevent this from throwing off your day.
[36:42] Nicki and Kate wrap up the episode and leave us with the reminder that all of these situations can be resolved with the correct response and adjustments to your creative process.
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About the Build Your Business Podcast
Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career?
Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Nicki and Kate have 20+ and 10+ years of experience, respectively, writing copy for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between.
Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here.
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Ep. 81: Crucial Lessons from 10 Years in Business
Last Updated on September 10, 2023
