I am sure no one wants to have those irritating and annoying clients who ask too many questions before making a deal but however, putting myself in a client’s shoe, I don’t think asking multiple questions is wrong. Your answers to these questions help your customer trust you and your company’s reputation. He feels satisfied that his work is being handled by someone professionally responsible.

In a tough economy, we try doing everything to keep our customers coming back to us but still I would advice you to keep some secrets from your client. There are pieces of information you should never reveal to your client, no matter how many times they ask or how much they insist you.

First Secret:

Never let a client know your hourly rate. Try to fix the bottom-line rate of the complete project but avoid giving your rate according to per hour.

Second Secret:

I agree that a client has all the right to have all the information about your working on their project but they do not need to know the exact time you are going to spend on it. For example, you can tell your client that the work will be completed in 3 weeks although you get it done in 3 days.

Third Secret:

Do not share the tools, equipments and techniques, which help you get the work done quickly and efficiently. You should not share with them that your hard earned experience and efficient tools and equipments can help you get the task done in short span of time.

Now the hard part comes if a client insists to know any of these tactics… Let me help you out in this situation.

• You are giving them time limit of 3 weeks to get a project finished because at a certain point in each project you have to wait for something (e.g., client approval, a proof, a quotation from another vendor, etc.)
• You never know about the inevitable problems you can face which can affect your work speed.
• Get them focus on the results and convince them that if you are taking a good amount of money, the results will be outstandingly satisfying. Offer them the extra time you will be ready to put in if the client is not satisfied with the results.

I hope these points will definitely help my fellow business owners stop making the mistake of being undercharged for their services.

Do share other secrets you think we should be keeping from our clients.
Take Care!