How to professionally decline clients’ unreasonable design requests without offending their 🤡
Christopher Nguyen
8 replies
1️⃣ The Ol' Sandwich Technique
Slap your "no" between two juicy slices of positivity:
“Love your out-of-the-box thinking!
But cloning Meta might get us in a bit of copyrighting mess.
Let's brainstorm some fresh, unique ideas instead…”
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2️⃣ The Reality Check
Nudge them back to earth by reminding them of the basics:
"That's a cool idea, but let's keep in mind the load time...”
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3️⃣ The Smooth Redirect:
Suggest an alternative that's more than just a pipe dream:
"Instead of unicorns, what if we use sleek, modern animations?
They'll add a splash of dynamism without slowing things down.”
What's your favourite technique? Let us know in the comment 👇
Replies
André J@sentry_co
Just keep going back to problem / solution and you will be fine. Crystallises everything.
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I suggest an alternative and also suggest the X% increase in the price - usually does the trick.
When professionally declining clients' unreasonable design requests, it's essential to provide clear and specific reasons backed by industry standards and best practices, ensuring open communication while respectfully preserving your professional integrity.
Gently explain the reasons why their request is unreasonable, and offer alternative solutions that are more feasible.
Expressing gratitude for their creative input, gently explaining the reasons their request might not align with the project goals, and suggesting viable alternatives, can help maintain a positive rapport while professionally declining their unreasonable design requests. 😊
What are some tactful strategies for professionally declining a client's unrealistic design requests without damaging the relationship?