GUARANTEED WAYS

TO CLOSE THE DEAL

WITH TRICKY FREELANCE CLIENTS

THE “SET THE TONE & RULES” TECHNIQUE

BY SPENCER FORMAN

COURSE NOTES + ACTION STEPS

 "SET THE TONE & RULES" TECHNIQUE

In this handbook you will learn how to take charge and

avoid being taken advantage of by your client!

Based on the question of one of our 1WD.tv students, Spence

demonstrates how this particular technique solves a tricky
situation.

1WD.tv | Freelance Web Designer

Training
 THE PROBLEM

Dear Spence,

I am battling with myself on the topic of documenting the

communication with the client, job approvals, and so on. I have
had the success to work with a man who had the habit of
changing his mind daily, regarding on project tasks and
requirements, and similar kind of things.

So, right now, when I get my first client, my plan is this: I save
every written chat text to Word files with the client, and after
each task-related call I sent over a document to the client with
the tasks or modifications we have agreed upon, for him to
agree on it (in order to avoid the you-said-that / I don't
remember type of issues).

My question is: Can you suggest a way to document these

client approvals & email/skype video or chat communications,
that in case of any complaint with paypal or other, I can 100%
sure provide those as ‘evidence’ of the agreements we had
made, and they won't say that I could fabricated on that
(because in my mind, Word documents are easily editable, so
I would have the chance to modify/fabricate things in them)?

1WD.tv | Freelance Web Designer

Training
EVIL GENIUS TIP
FROM SPENCE

1WD.tv | Freelance Web Designer

Training
First of all… don’t have these conversations!

Just cut them out like a surgeon cuts out a tumor.

If you have a client who is demanding this kind of back and

forth dynamic changes, you must set the tone and rules up
front.

1WD.tv | Freelance Web Designer

Training
1. Each conversation must cost the client something.

For example: I charge $75 per 1/4 hour of time…. yes, that’
s right. I CHARGE for my time. Revolutionary? I think not. I
call it common sense.

Would you go to your neighbor’s house and clean their

floors 5x a day just because they felt like asking you to do
it?

1WD.tv | Freelance Web Designer

Training
2. Anything outside the scope of the original project is a
change order and must be signed by client and paid in
full with credit card or paypal.

You should also quote the add-ons at least 25% higher than
your worst case estimate. This will force a client to think
twice about whether these changes are even necessary.

1WD.tv | Freelance Web Designer

Training
3. Remind the client that you are the expert.

If a client makes any unreasonable request, you simply

remind them “why” you were hired. The explanation, if any,
you can give is as such:

“You’ve hired me for my expertise. As such, I already know

what would be your best solution. I cannot deliver your best
solution if you require me to consult with you and make
every decision for you. You did not hire me to be your
partner or therapist… you hired me to DELIVER the solution
that I know to be BEST. Please let me do that, or find
someone else.”

1WD.tv | Freelance Web Designer

Training
While this technique may sound harsh, it can really flip a
relationship over into the proper mode if the client is forced to
realize that their “meddling” with your work and expertise is
actually hurting their potential outcome and costing them
money and potential profit that would otherwise result from
allowing you to work.

Try it… you’ll be surprised how well it works!

Spencer Forman is the founder of LabSecrets and LabZip,

companies that provides incredible software, practical advice,
and hands-on WordPress solutions for other entrepreneurs
who may be struggling with the mechanics of how to turn their
online business dreams into reality.

1WD.tv | Freelance Web Designer

Training