Post on 21-Aug-2015
transcript
Our Team of Freelancers
Jim True, Project Manager & Support Lead, Pods
Framework@jimtrue
Allison Foxhall,Owner/CEO, GobbleLogic
@afoxhall
Thomas Giella,owner, Gearspinners
@tgiella
Andrew NorcrossLead Developer,Reaktiv Studios
@norcross
High Maintenance Drama Queen
● unrealistic
expectations
● everything is
a firedrill
● believes they
are your
ONLY client
High Maintenance Drama Queen: WEAKNESSES
● be calm &
reassuring
● drama +
drama = FIRE
● estimate ++
deliver --
● Identify REAL
emergencies
the BOUNDARY Pusher
● your #1 FAN
● no boundaries
● calls at all
hours
● works 24/7
expects you to
as well
the BOUNDARY Pusher: WEAKNESSES
● maintain
boundaries
● charge $$
off-hours
● establish
rigid support
process
the ClueLess Client
● have no clue
what they
want
● but it isn’t
THAT
● no idea of
cost/time or
effort
the CLUELESS Client: WEAKNESSES
● education
during design
● get them to
provide samples
at interview
● separate
design &
development
the Many Headed Hydra
● design by
committee
● incoherent
scope changes
● common with
non-profits
government
the Many Headed Hydra: WEAKNESSES
● SINGLE
decision maker
● simplify
project steps
● clear project
phases &
milestones
the Invisible Man (& ninja)
● never
communicates
● sits on review
documents
● appears out
of nowhere
with ASAP
changes
the Invisible Man (& ninja): WEAKNESSES
● establish
deadlines for
review
● regular
status updates
● expiration
clause for
project
the Penny Pincher & Nit Picker
● focuses on
minor details
● obsessed with
how much it
all costs
● constantly
looking for
a DEAL
the Penny Pincher & Nit Picker: WEAKNESSES
● charge $$
for ALL
changes
● reduce scope
never price
● get them
focused on
big picture
the SCOPE Creeper: WEAKNESSES
● charge for
scope changes
● CLEAR
project
milestones
● focus on the
GOAL
● get it in
writing
SUMMARY
✘ Remember your Toolkit (Identify Expectations, Communicate
Regularly and Document EVERYTHING)
✘ Get good at identifying the Problems during the Interview Phase;
you can debug & deal with the bad clients much easier earlier in the
project.
✘ Protect yourself with good contract language: Build project phases,
timelines, deadlines, payment milestones and expiration clauses into
your contract language.
Special thanks to Nathan Ingram @nathaningramhttp://www.slideshare.net/nathaningram/the-freelance-ninjas-guide-to-clients
Also check out, Stories from Clients From Hell:ClientsFromHell.net
thanks!
Additional Thanks to:
Iron Yard TampaSt Pete Campus
Campus Director,Toni Aliberti
@theironyard
Thanks for hosting us every other 1st
Thursday of the Month
Tampa Bay WordPress& WordCamp Tampa
WordCamp Tampa 9/25-27USF Marshall Student Center
tampa.wordcamp.org
WordPress Meetups:meetup.com/Tampa-Bay-WordPress