Dealing with Angry Clients
As a freelance writer, many people would guess that I have little to no communication with the outside world during the workday. While this is true to a certain extent, I probably send and receive anywhere from 25 to 50 emails per day. Additionally, I usually talk to at least one client a day on the phone.
Although dealing with angry clients is more common in some industries than others, freelance writers are no different than anybody else. The main reason that I am writing this post is because of an email that I received late last night from an angry client.
Last week, this client prepaid $200 and then sent a request for a few web content articles. While this is not something that I mind doing, especially because I have worked with him in the past, I would much rather be paid upon completion for a project like this. Regardless, I sent an email to him saying that everything was a go, and I would get started right away.
After sending the first article over for review, I waited for a couple of days without a reply. At that time, I sent yet another email with the article attached. On a side note, it is always a good idea to check up with clients if they do not reply timely about a project you emailed. Remember, email is far from perfect.
Anyway, he sent an email back to me that read, “What the #*#* am I supposed to do with this? I can’t get it open.†I was surprised to read this response after I had done so much to make sure that he had received everything in a timely manner.
The funny part about this situation is that it has been almost 24 hours since I cordially responded, and I have yet to hear back from him.
Dealing with angry clients is part of the freelance writing game. As a general rule of thumb, no matter how bad you are treated, you should never retaliate. You are a professional, and there is no reason to stoop down and lose your overall level of integrity.
