The Worst Client

For those of us in the creative/professional industry, we create work for others that is supposed to represent a person (or organization) for a specific goal – be it entertainment, exposure, profit, or a mix of all three.

Usually, we know what questions to ask so that we might be able to get a better idea of what the client wants (or needs).  Once in a while though, we come across the worst client ever, the type of person you want to strangle, because it contradicts how you would like the project to flow.

I’m referring to the type of client that can’t make up their mind on what they want, or if they do make a decision, they change it almost immediately when they think of something bigger or better.  With no goal, little identity, lack of focus, and a budget of nothing, how could any of us stand to work with such a person?

So, I stood up to one of my clients recently.  My worst client ever.  I looked him in the eye and I told him that without a clear plan from start to finish, that we were just going to end up with an inferior product that wallows around pig-like somewhere in the middle of nothing and nowhere.  I told him to stow the mind-changing until we could get a more complete product out the door.  I berated him for not having achieved any goals with his site yet because of where it stood.  I shamed him for being such a pussy when it comes to selling himself and his work so short of its potential, because I believed in him, and still do.

Do you know what he did then?

He looked at me from the other side of the mirror, set his jaw straight, nodded slowly and said “Okay.  You’re right.  Let’s make a plan.  Let’s do this.”