That client who kept asking for "one more revision" until I hit 47 versions on a single logo

I finally tried sending them a PDF with 3 options max and a hard deadline of 48 hours for feedback after getting burned on a $500 project in Austin last month, has anyone else just limited revision rounds upfront and seen it actually stick?

2 comments

2 Comments

robinmason23h ago

Limit revisions upfront is the only way to keep a project from becoming a full-time job. 47 versions on a single logo sounds like they were asking you to design for focus groups instead of making decisions. Three options with a 48 hour deadline should stick, but you gotta enforce it or they'll test you on it next time. Pad your initial estimate a little so you can offer one or two free tweaks without eating into your profit. Once they know the clock is ticking, most clients magically figure out what they actually want.

luna_wells5717h ago

@robinmason nailed it about padding your estimate for free tweaks. I learned that one the hard way too (like, the "crying in my car after a 6 hour redesign" hard way). The 3 option limit is smart, but honestly I found that even 2 options works better because clients get decision paralysis with 3. I told a client last month "here are two directions, pick one by Thursday or I'm moving on to the next project" and they actually replied in 24 hours. It's like they need a little fear of missing out to function. Just be ready to walk away if they test you, because that 47 version client is never gonna be happy with anything anyway.