We often villainize clients — complain about their unreasonable demands, resent scope creep, cringe at their attitudes and cluelessness. While some clients are gems that entrust us with creative freedom and unlimited budgets, most of the time there are tensions that inevitably come up in the process. While many of us would rather not deal with the human interactions that our profession requires, there are certain philosophies, habits, questions, and tools we can use to almost guarantee success and reward. We can expect our clients to be our allies and best advocates and stay true to our integrity and vision. All while not selling our soul.

1. Winning the client
relationship game
(Without selling your soul)
@mayabruck // www.pixotech.com

2. TRUTH
Relationships are tough.

4. The design process is weird and
complicated because it involves
people, who are weird and
complicated.
MARK BOULTON

5. A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND

7. WHY WE’RE HERE:

8. ONE
How to pick good clients

9. TWO
Aha Moments

10. THREE
Tools & Techniques

11. #BESTCLIENTS

12. @jpamental
Engaged, interested & passionate
about what they do!

13. @winterbureau
Want to involve you in the full
scope of a project so you can be a
valuable collaborator.

14. @CateKompare
have realistic expectations for cost
and timelines. And good attitudes.

15. @JasonSpeaking
The most important char. is
mutual respect. They respect you
and your craft. You respect them
and their needs.

16. @mayabruck
Recognize the value of your
services and are responsive,
passionate partners.

19. AND NOW, A STORY

20. AND NOW, ANOTHER STORY

21. You’re so focused on not doing
things wrong that you’re not
focused on doing things right.
MY AWESOME COLLEAGUE DANIELLE

22. APPROACH CLIENTS WITH HONESTY & CONFIDENCE

24. Dear designers, clients from hell
only work with designers from hell.
Reflect on your life.
ANDY RUTLEDGE

25. TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

26. Everything you do during the the
course of a project has an effect on
your client’s expectations.
You can either choose to lead the
conversation or not.
ROB HARR

27. Starting a job without a contract is
like putting a condom on after you’ve
taken a home pregnancy test. It’s just
not going to help you at that point.
MIKE MONTEIRO

28. F*ck You. Pay Me.
MIKE MONTEIRO
From Creative Mornings SF

29. AND NOW, MORE TOOLS

32. THE TOOLS
+ Be thorough during sales
+ Require a contract
+ Commit to budget transparency
+ Communicate & document changes
+ Hold weekly meetings

33. TO SUM IT UP

34. Remember that dogs clients are a
reflection of us, so when we work
with them, we are also working on
ourselves.
CESAR MILLAN, Dog Whisperer

35. Thank you!
@mayabruck // www.pixotech.com