You submitted your work and the client hates it. Now what? Here are 3 ways to resolve it
It might be hard to admit, but no one is perfect. And even if you come *pretty* close, that doesn’t mean that you are going to succeed (at least not the first time) at every project you put your hand to. As a freelancer, you need to be prepared for the day that a client tells you that they are not sold on your submission. Because it happens to all solopreneurs at one time or another.
When this happens, you might be tempted to throw yourself a pity party, complete with an 😭ugly cry😭 and hours of questioning your value and self-worth.
Don’t do that. Instead, be proactive so that the working relationship remains intact and the commissions keep on coming. Here are three ways to prevent, and resolve, this awkward situation.
1. Create a mood board or content plan
The best way to ensure that you and the client are on the same page is to have a session where you discuss and interpret the brief. This will give you a better understanding as to what is required of you. If possible, ask the client to supply visual references and links that give an idea of the tone, look and feel that they are aiming for. Creating a content plan will also allow you to plan ahead and get approval from the client before you do the work.
2. Hear them out
The last thing a client wants after they have been disappointed by a submission is for you to get defensive. Listen to their concerns, explain why you did the job the way you did, and try to resolve the issue so as to keep the working relationship solid. Feedback can be messy and harsh, but remember that it’s not about you, but rather the end goal or product. Make sure that you make them feel heard, and offer to make whatever changes they require (within reason) so that all parties are happy.
3. Don’t take it personally
This is a tough one: how do you not question your skills/career path/existence when a client is let down by your work? Try to shift your focus and think about good feedback you have gotten in the past, and what makes you good at your job. Receiving criticism is never easy, but it is also one of life’s inevitabilities, so take it on the chin, handle yourself maturely like the grown-up you are, and prove them wrong by nailing take two. You can do it!
