Hello everyone!
This is the fourth edition of the "Design Storage" series!
Today we’ll talk about how to communicate effectively with freelance clients. I constantly monitor comments on my YouTube channel, and I see that this topic worries many people: how to build relationships with a client, how not to offend them, and how to get the most out of the collaboration.
There are many nuances, and I’ll say right away that the opinions expressed are purely subjective.
How to work with clients properly
1. Brief and questions
You can't build a productive collaboration without them. It's the lack of a brief that leads to numerous unexpected edits and new inputs by the end of the project — things that were never discussed initially. The clearer you define everything at the start, the better. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. And yes, the client will have every right to complain if you didn’t clarify the task properly from the beginning. It’s your responsibility.
2. Initiative
You must take initiative. First, the project will turn out more aligned with your vision. Second, the client will start trusting you. As soon as you start generating creative ideas and cool suggestions, it’ll be easier for the client to agree with you. We all know the most difficult clients are those who dictate everything and don’t listen. But often, it’s the designer’s fault — because they don’t present themselves confidently. Taking initiative helps you keep the client on your terms.
3. Loyalty
How do you limit the number of edits? If you follow the points above, this won’t even be an issue — the client already trusts you. But if edits do come, do your absolute best to accommodate them. This is essential if you want to earn the client’s loyalty. Saying something like “I’ll do 10 edits and charge for the rest” doesn’t look good.
I had a client I worked with for three months instead of the planned three weeks — partly my fault, partly his. But I saw it through and got an excellent review in the end.
4. Not for the portfolio
Of course, not every project makes it into your portfolio. Sometimes the client completely lacks design vision. You try your best, offer great ideas — they reject them all and insist on something... well, terrible. What can you do? Your conscience is clear. You made the effort — they declined. Let the final result be what they want.
Naturally, such work shouldn’t go into your portfolio — no need to ruin it.
Mental secrets of charm
These tips will help you win the client’s trust.
1. Reviews over money
Especially at the start of your career, this is key. Early on, a positive review is worth more than a big paycheck. So if you have to redo something, or do a bit extra that wasn’t discussed — and the client asks nicely but can’t or won’t pay — do it. You’ll gain a great review.
2. Free work — but not always
I sometimes recommend doing something small for free at the beginning of a relationship — before the client has paid anything. It can help win trust. But don’t do this for everyone. Some clients just spam dozens of people with messages like “Make me a draft and I’ll choose.” Don’t fall for it. Nobody wins in those fake contests.
But if the client contacted you personally, wrote a thoughtful message — you can often tell in the conversation that they’re genuinely interested in working with you. The key is to help them start trusting you. They’re often afraid to send money to someone on the internet. Offer a quick sketch — something that takes 10–15 minutes. That can be enough to land the job and secure a prepayment.
In conclusion
If you were expecting to hear some magic secrets or psychological hacks — relax, they don’t exist. What does exist is common sense and understanding people’s real needs. Remember what Carnegie said: “When you start to feel what another person is feeling and think about what they want — your communication flows, and you earn their trust.” That’s it. Business communication is just human interaction.
Think about the person and their needs — not just your own. Talk about what matters to the client.