How to Deal with a Rude Client as a Freelancer

Updated July 2023

Learning how to deal with a rude client as a freelancer can be a daunting experience. The key to maintaining your sanity and professionalism during these challenging interactions lies in your ability to handle them tactfully. We’re going to offer you some practical advice on navigating through these rough waters, and empower you to transform potentially damaging situations into opportunities for growth, resilience, and enhanced client relationships. Let’s explore some tried-and-tested strategies on how to deal with a rude client, ensuring your freelancing journey remains rewarding despite the occasional bumps along the way.

As you toil away on a new project, your hear that message notification. You check your inbox and your heart sinks. It’s that client — the one who always has a complaint and is usually quite rude. With a little fear and trepidation, you open the message. The client not only is unhappy with your work, but he also tosses around words like “incompetence” and makes veiled (or not-so-veiled) threats about taking his business elsewhere. After giving the matter some consideration, and reviewing your client’s complaints, you conclude that your client’s hostility is completely unfounded and out of line. It’s time to take action.

Why Rudeness Isn’t Right

Rudeness is never acceptable. Not in business and not in “real life.” There are many ways to confront problems without name-calling, insults, or sarcasm. Rudeness seldom resolves issues; instead, it damages relationships and creates unnecessary friction. Unfortunately, many people exhibit rude behavior when stressed, upset, or frustrated. Others believe that rudeness is an appropriate response to dissatisfaction. There are also those people who use belittling behavior to bully others. Regardless which category your client falls into, don’t ignore the problem. Confront it!

Navigating the Uncharted Territory of Rude Client Behavior

As a jobseeker stepping into the freelance landscape, encountering rude client behavior can leave you perplexed and unsure of how to respond. In the moment, it’s all too easy to let emotions take the wheel, possibly causing you to react impulsively, which can damage your professional relationship and reputation. It’s essential to understand that this is a skill that can be honed over time. With experience, the right mindset, and strategic techniques, you can navigate through these unpleasant encounters, turning them into constructive experiences that enhance your professional resilience and interpersonal skills.

4 Options for Responding to a Rude Client

1. Gently Respond Via Email

If this is the first time a client has been rude and the behavior seems a bit out of character, it may be that your client is just having a bad day. Reply to the email as you would any other complaint: Restate your client’s problem to confirm that you understand one another. After you’ve clarified the problem and have come to a mutually agreed-upon solution, let your client know you noticed she seemed distressed and that you hope that, in the future, she will come to you as soon as she identifies a problem, before getting upset.

2. Request a Phone Meeting

Many people are far more aggressive in email than they are in face-to-face or telephone conversations. If your client has a history of getting belligerent via email, send him a note stating that you feel the issue would be best addressed over the phone and suggest a time to call. Some clients may immediately back down and apologize for overreacting. If the client refuses the request, politely reply that you are concerned about the tone of your client’s email and you fear that further email communication will lead to additional misunderstandings. This polite, but firm, confrontation puts the client on notice that his behavior isn’t going to go unchallenged.

3. Call the Client’s Bluff

If a client threatens to stop using your services, you have a choice to make. If you really need the business and believe that you may be able to salvage your relationship, mollifying your client might be your best option. But, if the loss of the client wouldn’t be catastrophic for your business, consider taking your client at her word and offer to end the relationship. Here’s how:

Client:

I’m just going to take my business elsewhere!

You:

It sounds like that might be the best way to get this resolved. I’ll send you my invoice for the work done so far. I’ll also send you the work that I’ve already completed so you’ll have it when hiring someone else.

If your client wasn’t bluffing, you’ll be rid of a troublesome account and you won’t be spending a lot of time trying to manage an unresolvable situation. A bluffing client, on the other hand, will probably respond with an offer to continue the relationship. Since you’ve called their bluff, you’re now in a better position to renegotiate your working relationship.

If you do renegotiate with a bluffing client, mention that you want to keep communications civil and professional moving forward. If the client has a problem with your work, he should explain his concerns respectfully and you will respond likewise.

4. End the Relationship

If a client crosses a line, such as using foul language, racial/religious/sexist epithets or just really upsets you, consider ending the relationship. If you depend on the client for a significant portion of your income, make finding new clients a priority so you can move away from a stressful situation. Your former client may even learn a few things about respect. Maybe.

Final Thoughts: Transforming Challenge into Opportunity

Dealing with a rude client can be a challenging part of freelancing. However, with the right strategies in your toolkit, these difficult experiences can be transformed into opportunities for growth and learning. Remember to maintain your professionalism, take time to understand your client’s perspective, and practice effective communication. While you can’t control how others behave, your reaction to them is in your hands. Let these interactions be a catalyst for enhancing your resilience, patience, and negotiation skills. In the dynamic world of freelancing, each challenge faced head-on is a step forward on your journey to success.

Having a difficult conversation with a rude client can feel daunting, but you don’t have to navigate these waters alone. Our career coaches are here to help you strategize, practice, and master this crucial skill. By role-playing these situations and receiving constructive feedback, you’ll gain the confidence and tact needed to handle even the most challenging client interactions. Don’t let fear of confrontation hamper your freelance career growth. Take action today! Click the button below to set up an appointment with one of our seasoned career coaches. Empower yourself to turn difficult conversations into constructive dialogue.

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