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Out of context: Reply #7
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Well it depends on your proposal method. First off make sure you get a written brief from all your clients. Make them do a majority of the thinking beforehand of what they want to accomplish and what they expect. Even if they don't have a clue, at least you get them talking about it. Then it's your job to reiterate that brief adding in your own ideas as to what you suggest bringing your expertise to bear on the project. You haven't even started on the design yet. It's about the communication. It's all about having things in writing that you can point to and say, you said this, I produced this and it's directly related.
If a client comes to you and says they don't have a clue, I tend to send them a few briefs that I've received from other clients. Usually this is a warning sign that the client is an amateur and most likely going to be troublesome down the road. In those cases I put the responsibility and impetus on them because it saves you the headache later on.
You should break down your hours allowing for 'client changes'. For instance you give two days for coming up with ideas, sketches, comps, scamps whatever. Add another day for making changes to those originals and another round of talks. That's all I allow, any more than that costs them more and you have to make sure they know it. If they want 10 different ideas because they have no actual idea of what they want just make sure they pay for it. Always make sure you reward yourself for their stupidity and confusion. If you don't that's when the job gets shitty and you feel like you're getting reamed which leads to disatisfaction and despair.
It takes experience and time to perfect these skills but if you keep at it eventually you'll find that 90% of your jobs are going to be satisfying simply because you've learned how to avoid the headaches and the headaches that do occur you get paid handsomely for.