Client Questions: Do you know all the Answers?
When you first start working with a new client you are sure to be excited. Not only are you ready to take on a new project, but you are making some money as well. Does it get any better than that? While this is definitely an exciting time, you may find out soon enough that you don’t know all the answers. In other words, your new client may stump you from time to time.
If a client asks a question of you and you do not know the answer, you can do one of two things:
1. Make something up, and hope that you can get away with it. Believe it or not, this is very common.
2. Admit that you are stumped, but immediately go out and find the right answer.
As you can imagine, I opt for number two time and time again. The last thing you want to do is lie to a client. If you make something up and it ends up being wrong in the end, you are jeopardizing your relationship.
Your clients do not expect you to know everything. In fact, there are going to be times when you are downright lost. Rather than act like everything is okay, communicate your position to the client and let them know what you plan on doing next. There is nothing better than researching a client question, and coming back with the right answer in the near future. Not only will this make the client happy, but it will make you feel good inside at the same time.
I have been freelance writing for many years, and still get stumped by clients – this is part of the industry. Don’t expect to know the answer of every question that comes your way.
As long as you are willing to find the answer for your client, admitting that you don’t know should never be a problem.
