Comments on: How to deal with Problem Clients – A very tempting solution http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients Professional Website Makeovers for Freelancers, Consultants and Entrepreneurs Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:16:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Trisha Cupra http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients/comment-page-1#comment-81 Trisha Cupra Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:55:16 +0000 http://webdesignwatchdog.com/?p=142#comment-81 @Doug aka Nullvariable: Thanks for the link. Wikipedia provides a good explanation of the uses and abuses of the 80/20 rule. If the clients you spend the most time working for aren't bringing in most of your income, you sure do have a problem. When you under-charge for your services, toxic clients can smell you a mile away. They come bounding up to you, claim a large percentage of your time and energy, and then (finally, after nagging) pay very little. When you charge a fair price, you attract fairer-minded clients who respect your time and energy a lot more. @Doug aka Nullvariable: Thanks for the link. Wikipedia provides a good explanation of the uses and abuses of the 80/20 rule.

If the clients you spend the most time working for aren’t bringing in most of your income, you sure do have a problem. When you under-charge for your services, toxic clients can smell you a mile away. They come bounding up to you, claim a large percentage of your time and energy, and then (finally, after nagging) pay very little.

When you charge a fair price, you attract fairer-minded clients who respect your time and energy a lot more.

]]> By: Doug aka Nullvariable http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients/comment-page-1#comment-80 Doug aka Nullvariable Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:48:14 +0000 http://webdesignwatchdog.com/?p=142#comment-80 Right, the 80/20 rule isn't perfect but its a good quick analysis tool. I find that if I am spending too much time on a client that is responsible for too little of my time its time to make some changes =) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle Right, the 80/20 rule isn’t perfect but its a good quick analysis tool. I find that if I am spending too much time on a client that is responsible for too little of my time its time to make some changes =)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle

]]> By: Trisha Cupra http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients/comment-page-1#comment-79 Trisha Cupra Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:15:37 +0000 http://webdesignwatchdog.com/?p=142#comment-79 Thanks Doug and Paradise for your thoughts. I'm not totally convinced that the Pareto Principle is always applicable to every situation, but it is a good way to look at what you're doing to make sure you're focusing on the things that bring the best results. Thanks Doug and Paradise for your thoughts. I’m not totally convinced that the Pareto Principle is always applicable to every situation, but it is a good way to look at what you’re doing to make sure you’re focusing on the things that bring the best results.

]]> By: Paradise http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients/comment-page-1#comment-76 Paradise Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:44:48 +0000 http://webdesignwatchdog.com/?p=142#comment-76 @ Doug aka Nullvariable I also agree with you that Pareto's Principle is true. guess I don't mind that much trouble from the 20% of my customers who help to keep me up with 80% of my office expenses ;) yes, i do mind the trouble given by the wanna-be customer who give me a hell lotta trouble. @Doug aka Nullvariable

I also agree with you that Pareto’s Principle is true.

guess I don’t mind that much trouble from the 20% of my customers who help to keep me up with 80% of my office expenses ;)

yes, i do mind the trouble given by the wanna-be customer who give me a hell lotta trouble.

]]> By: Doug aka Nullvariable http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients/comment-page-1#comment-78 Doug aka Nullvariable Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:17:13 +0000 http://webdesignwatchdog.com/?p=142#comment-78 As always the Pareto Principle or the 80/20 rule seems well fit here. I find that 20% of my customers bring 80% of my problems. I also find that 20% of my customers bring 80% of my income but its not usually the same two 20%'s :) As always the Pareto Principle or the 80/20 rule seems well fit here. I find that 20% of my customers bring 80% of my problems. I also find that 20% of my customers bring 80% of my income but its not usually the same two 20%’s :)

]]> By: Paradise http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients/comment-page-1#comment-77 Paradise Sun, 22 Jun 2008 08:55:14 +0000 http://webdesignwatchdog.com/?p=142#comment-77 I think I will be one who will be benefiting the most from this article. Thanks a ton. I think I will be one who will be benefiting the most from this article. Thanks a ton.

]]> By: Trisha Cupra http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients/comment-page-1#comment-75 Trisha Cupra Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:45:15 +0000 http://webdesignwatchdog.com/?p=142#comment-75 @Eric: Sure, the thing with problem clients, though, is that often they seem fine at first, or you wouldn't take them on. If you're desperate and a potential clients does raise some warning bells, you may be tempted to take them on just for the money, but that's asking for trouble. I think the harder problem is those people who seem normal at first, who gradually start sucking your blood. :) @Eric: Sure, the thing with problem clients, though, is that often they seem fine at first, or you wouldn’t take them on. If you’re desperate and a potential clients does raise some warning bells, you may be tempted to take them on just for the money, but that’s asking for trouble. I think the harder problem is those people who seem normal at first, who gradually start sucking your blood. :)

]]> By: Eric http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients/comment-page-1#comment-72 Eric Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:39:35 +0000 http://webdesignwatchdog.com/?p=142#comment-72 Good points to consider. I never really thought about point #1 in that way, but I think you're right. Unfortunately for beginning freelancers, I think there is a tendency to be so pleasing to everyone and to want to take whatever you can get in order to grow your client list, so there is more likelihood to undercharge. I also like the idea of breaking up projects in steps. Something I am considering offering to a potential client I have been talking to recently. However he doesn't seem like he'll be a 'problem client' - it's still good advice though. Good points to consider. I never really thought about point #1 in that way, but I think you’re right. Unfortunately for beginning freelancers, I think there is a tendency to be so pleasing to everyone and to want to take whatever you can get in order to grow your client list, so there is more likelihood to undercharge.

I also like the idea of breaking up projects in steps. Something I am considering offering to a potential client I have been talking to recently. However he doesn’t seem like he’ll be a ‘problem client’ – it’s still good advice though.

]]> By: Trisha Cupra http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients/comment-page-1#comment-74 Trisha Cupra Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:52:16 +0000 http://webdesignwatchdog.com/?p=142#comment-74 @Kevin Boss: Thanks for the inspiration. :) @Kevin Boss: Thanks for the inspiration. :)

]]> By: Kevin Boss http://www.trishacupra.com/problem-clients/comment-page-1#comment-73 Kevin Boss Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:41:34 +0000 http://webdesignwatchdog.com/?p=142#comment-73 Very good points! And I'm glad you liked the image :) Very good points! And I’m glad you liked the image :)

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