Clients drop last-minute changes on you. How do you handle the chaos?
Last-minute changes from clients can be a copywriter's nightmare, but handling them with grace is key to maintaining professionalism. Here's how to manage the chaos effectively:
- Set clear expectations: Communicate upfront about revision policies and possible additional costs for last-minute changes.
- Stay organized: Use project management tools to track changes and deadlines, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
- Prioritize self-care: Take breaks and manage stress to maintain high-quality work under pressure.
How do you handle unexpected client changes? Share your strategies.
Clients drop last-minute changes on you. How do you handle the chaos?
Last-minute changes from clients can be a copywriter's nightmare, but handling them with grace is key to maintaining professionalism. Here's how to manage the chaos effectively:
- Set clear expectations: Communicate upfront about revision policies and possible additional costs for last-minute changes.
- Stay organized: Use project management tools to track changes and deadlines, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
- Prioritize self-care: Take breaks and manage stress to maintain high-quality work under pressure.
How do you handle unexpected client changes? Share your strategies.
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Usually we embrace and pivot. A last minute change could be due to a "Great Idea Fairy" that visited and so we have to evaluate and look at what the client's real goals are and weigh them against the brand alignment that we worked on together. If the last minute changes are solid and aligned, we embrace and make the changes if it is realistic to do so. There is a different too between the habitual "last minute" person and the one who usually goes with the flow but received new information that changes the whole game. We endeavor to weigh both and do what is right for the brand and company.
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You have to be prepared for the unexpected! Clients will change their mind and make a different decision. Just be ready to advise them on the new scenario! It may require some research, but you can handle it.
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I'm always very transparent and honest about the impact of last minute changes. Often I will try to accommodate their needs while being clear about additional costs that may be involved. If I'm not able to take on the changes due to other client commitments, I explain that to the client, asking them to imagine if the situation was reversed. Most clients will appreciate your integrity in standing by commitments you make.
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Stay calm and assess the changes. Prioritize the most critical revisions and communicate realistic timelines for implementing them. Set clear boundaries by reminding clients of the initial agreement and, if needed, suggest an additional round of revisions for a more thorough review later.
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Expect the unexpected! Anything can happen and you're there to support your clients, so you pretty much just have to view being responsive to 'late' revisions as part of the job. Mindset plays a big role here. The chaos happens when you view the work as 'done' before it is.
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