Now for dome preparatory questions, do they consider their time with you valuable? Will they pay more or less attention to you accordingly?
Do they want the art director treatment, or don't they? Do they merely want your specifications with minimal innovations, wanting you to leave? Or do they want an enrolment and access to your mind? Entranced by every word, the client omits?
Being direct is important within this transaction, mind-reading unreliable as it is.
Assess the tone, are they lecturing, (high status) entertaining (mid) or grovelling/apologizing (low status)?
Two Types discovered so far.
1. Impatient Indys
They don't want to spend too much time, they may even send you a sketch then expect you to take it. It's best to respect their time, letting them feel important as you lead them on. Do NOT overload them with too many ideas, merely give the facts.
Only share the domain knowledge if they ask, otherwise you'd send the wrong message. Don't call them hostile, aggressive or impatient.
According to Zig Ziglar, the three F principal may apply. The script goes like this. He says to adapt it towards the situation, adapt it, use it or not.
“ I understand how you feel. Others have felt this way, and others have found that these specifications are difficult to work with. Thank you for being so frank and open. “
There has to be a reason for such hostility, be it a bad client or gig.
The social status of the contract could be only destructive with the negative narrative in their head.
If they get hostile, merely step back. Play the one that is low-status and let them be right. Do not insist of giving yourself lunch first, don't use words like hostile, or aggressive.
The haggling should be over, if they start haggling again, something went wrong. If they're bringing up the price again, then it's a signal the time spent is more worthless than priceless. An objection ain't a dealbreaker, if one is proactive.
Do NOT bring up any changes to the ref sheet unless mid-way unless if it's absolutely, game-changingly vital to the freelancers aims. Not all specification changes matter. Things lock in and are unable to be changed and a moment of time, things will have to be shipped.
If they get hostile, merely step back. Play the one that is low-status and let them be right. Do not insist of giving yourself lunch first, don't use words like hostile, or aggressive.
The haggling should be over, if they start haggling again, something went wrong. If they're bringing up the price again, then it's a signal the time spent is more worthless than priceless. An objection ain't a dealbreaker, if one is proactive.
Do NOT bring up any changes to the ref sheet unless mid-way unless if it's absolutely, game-changingly vital to the freelancers aims. Not all specification changes matter. Things lock in and are unable to be changed and a moment of time, things will have to be shipped.
When in doubt, give omakase or creative freedom.
2. Gullible Guss
How adorable, gives hope to humanity. Give the gentlest of pressures and encouragements, even share along ones own expertise if they have it. Open them up for enrolment for the learning journey if you could.
If they ask for help, which they will. Do your best to share your domain knowledge.
Another type is Rejector, those reject out of one situation or another. A rejection does not necessary mean the idea ain't worthy. It's merely a situation where there are factors out of ones own control. Nothing career ending, or should be.
If they ask for help, which they will. Do your best to share your domain knowledge.
Another type is Rejector, those reject out of one situation or another. A rejection does not necessary mean the idea ain't worthy. It's merely a situation where there are factors out of ones own control. Nothing career ending, or should be.