Comments on: 10 Ways to Lose a Client

By: Sam Beckham

Sam Beckham — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:21:48 +0000

Definitely some good points raised here. Good communication is key.

By: Arun Krishnan

Arun Krishnan — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:05:40 +0000

Nice Post..

By: Brett Widmann

Brett Widmann — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:34:58 +0000

These are all very true. I definitely wouldn’t want to pay someone who displayed these characteristics.

By: vuitton

vuitton — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 06:26:12 +0000

I am surprised you didn’t mention the most robust Radian6 or ViralHeat or ScoutLabs… There’s also a vendor in

By: ramd

ramd — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:23:49 +0000

Very very useful

By: Nishant Jain

Nishant Jain — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:23:14 +0000

Interesting read, Steven. We mirrored some of the points in our own blog post to building great client relationship – http://designforuse.net/?p=396

And don’t forget, there are some clients worth losing!

By: inspirationfeed

inspirationfeed — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:20:48 +0000

Great points you mentioned here, i really agree with all 10.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:11:44 +0000

Re: Alice Dagley

It sounds like by creating a “prototype” you were in fact creating a proof of what they wanted, which should never be free. I have heard of clients that shrug off proofs they don’t want to use, and question why they should pay for that. It is a part of the design process at that point and should be a part of the quote or hourly charge, I wouldn’t consider that planning.

I don’t disagree with point #5 entirely though, I think some forms of planning (like researching the business, or researching techniques for yourself) shouldn’t necessarily be billed to them, if it was an initiative you decided to do on your own. If you think it should be charged to them, you need to clearly explain that factor prior to doing the work. I can’t blame a client who is aghast when they are charged 2 hours worth of hourly pay for “research” that they had not specifically requested at the start.

By: Kelly Justin

Kelly Justin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:55:11 +0000

great valid points..nice stuff

By: Alice Dagley

Alice Dagley — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:26:25 +0000

I fully agree with you Greg. I spent a lot of hours for making and adjusting a prototype for one of my “client” till he was satisfied and then he disappeared. I was very disappointed. Don’t let your clients make you out a fool. Don’t do planning for free.