20 Questions Your Design Clients Should Be Asking You Choosing a graphic designer can seem like a scary task for some design clients. Some are approaching you with a clear vision of what they want, hoping you can deliver on their vision. While others are contacting you because they don't have any idea of what they want. Regardless of why they're reaching out to you, the graphic designer, they need to make sure that you're not only someone with design skills, but someone they can trust with the reputation of their company. They only way they can gain that trust is by getting to know you. And to do that, they ask questions. And if you're not prepared for those questions it can mean the difference between getting the job or getting a "don't call us, we'll call you" answer at the end of your conversation. Here are some questions you can expect. 1. Will you tell me a bit about yourself? This is probably the first question they will ask. Be precise and short in your answer. Sell yourself without bragging. If you've done any work for big name companies or people now's a good time to mention them. If at any time the client looks lost, wrap up your answer. You don't want to scare them away. 2. How long have you been in business? Easy answer, mention how long you've been a graphic designer. 3. Do you have an office or are you home based? I get asked this one a lot because of my mailbox at the UPS Store. Be honest, Mention that working at home let's you keep your costs down and pass that on to your clients. Offer to go meet them at their location if you can. 4. How many people work with you? Best answer is that you have a number of people you can call upon for various tasks involving a design project but you don't have any employees, another way you keep the cost down. 5. What is your specialty? If you have one mention it. Hint, if you do websites, mention that you're a graphic designer not a computer coder. Your job is to make the site look good not the code. This has helped me land many website jobs over the years. 6. Have you worked on this kind of design project before? Again, be honest. If you haven't but have done something similar mention it. If not, tell them that you've always wanted to and you would love the opportunity. 7. How much do you charge? If you work by the hour feel free to tell them your rate. If you work by the project you can tell them you'll work out a price after discussing the job with them. 8. Can you give me a ball park figure. If you do, be broad and make sure you tell them that you can be more precise once you know the scope of the work. 9. How long will the job take. In my experience, estimate longer and see what they say. If you can get it done sooner it will make you look good. If it takes longer than you thought they won't know. 10. What do you need from me? This is where you ask for things like their files, Pantone colours, previously used photos. As well as their commitment to following your schedule for proof returns etc. 11. Who will work on my project? Assure your design clients that you will work on their project but you may need to use the help of other, more experienced people for the parts you don't excel at. Such as copywriting, photography, illustration etc. 12. What is included in my completed project? This is where you negotiate with your design client about rights to use your final design, layered PS files, etc. 13. What if I'm not happy with the design. This is a tough one. Sometimes a client just can't be pleased. Make sure you have something in your contract stating the terms should one party of the other walk away. 14. What services do you offer after the project is done? Here you discuss website maintenance, SEO services etc. for websites, and other design related projects for print designs and logos you create 15. Do you have any references? You should have a list of previous design clients you've already asked permission of, should your new design client ask for references. 16. What