My Client is Angry: What happens next?
Working as a freelance writer means that you are going to run into angry clients from time to time. This goes along with the territory, and is something you should get used to dealing with. Don’t get me wrong – your clients are not going to be mad all the time. But here and there, something is sure to happen that gets them fired up.
If you are attempting to best deal with an angry client, here are three things you should do:
1. Find out what the problem is. If you did something wrong, you need to pinpoint the issue and discuss it with the client. The last thing you want to do is guess at what went wrong. This may end up making things worse in the long run.
2. Ask the client what you can do to make the situation better. For instance, they may be looking for a rewrite. While this can be a pain in the neck, if doing so will make the client happy you should oblige. Of course, you need to determine if the problem is directly attributed to something that you did wrong. If it isn’t, you have every right to charge for your services as you help your client find a solution.
3. If you are at fault, do not delay in helping your client fix the problem. The quicker you come to the rescue the better chance you have of keeping the relationship in good terms in the future.
Let’s face the facts: dealing with an angry client is not fun. The next time this situation comes up, see if the above tips can help you better your situation.
