7 signs that should alert you when communicating with a potential client

1. Disorganization

It is worth being wary when a client is often late or reschedules the same appointment several times. Long after the meeting, he continues to send new information. Inattentively reads your messages, forcing you to answer the same question several times.

If a person shows such disorganization before starting a project, the same will happen during work. And it will surely affect the budget, the timing and your sanity.

2. Communication problems

You easily find a common language with the majority of clients, but with one you just can't manage to establish communication. We constantly have to clarify what he meant. He sends letters that contradict each other, he cannot generalize or concisely convey information. If you notice such signs, think carefully before agreeing to cooperate.

It doesn't just tire and slow down the work process. Communication problems can be costly. One misunderstanding can lead to many hours of redoing an already completed task. Even if this does not happen, the very re-inquiries and clarifications also take time.

3. Trying to do some of the work for you

There will always be a client who is "fond of" design or has taken programming courses at some point and therefore believes that he can give advice or even do something for you. Perhaps he does have experience, but since he is now doing something else, your task should not concern him. He has the right to offer his ideas, reject your options and make changes. But sending you your own layouts for revision or redoing what you have done is unacceptable.

In a good way, the client has enough of his own work, so he hires a specialist. Its job is to provide you with the information and resources you need. Trying to do the job for you shows that you are not respected or trusted. And without this there can be no healthy working relationship.

4. Lack of one link

Figuratively speaking, there should not be two housewives in the same kitchen. In a company with well-established work processes, the manager assigns a task to a person and expects that he will complete it. If you do not understand who exactly to address questions, because several people write to you, or every time you need to send a copy of the letter to ten addressees, most likely, the client in the company has problems. Such communication is fraught with misunderstandings, conflicts and missed deadlines. If you want to take on a project, ask for one link to avoid confusion.

Small startups can be an exception. When there are only 3-5 people in a team, it is natural that they are deeply involved in all processes. If they respect your time and try to make communication easier, they probably won't be a problem.

5. Reluctance to take risks

If a client asks to do exactly the same thing as another brand, or does not want to deviate from a strategy that is already five years old, think carefully. Imagine if it will be interesting and useful for you to work with him. There is nothing to be ashamed of in "safe" projects, because money is always needed. But if you take too many of these orders, it will reflect on your portfolio and resume.

Maybe the client is simply unaware of other options. Try suggesting a more risky but potentially more profitable option.

6. Making sure your job doesn't require a lot of work

For example, a client asks for a “simple” brochure. Most likely, he does not know the intricacies of your profession and does not understand the process of creating this very brochure. Or he just wants to save money by all means, because something simple probably won't take much time and effort.

Explain what your work is built from and why the task might take longer. If even after that the client insists on his own, think twice before agreeing to cooperate.

7. Stretching negotiations

You met with the client three times, but you never came to a final agreement. You go back and forth, wasting valuable time, but you are not sure that they are going to entrust you with this project in principle. It’s like you’ve become a free consultant.

This is an alarming signal. Perhaps the client is determined to receive advice and not pay anything for it. Don't let yourself be treated like this. The next time he asks to meet to exploit your brain, answer that you will be happy to help - as soon as a formal agreement is concluded.