Note: This guide is not meant to be an exhaustive list, nor entirely representative of the beliefs of all freelancers/employees. The advice stated in this thread may not work for every freelancer, everyone has their own unique ways of working and as clients, you should be able to understand that your freelancer is a human as well.
Ultimate Client Guide
MC-Market is one of the many markets that seeks to connect freelancers and clients in a suitable, easy way. A place where even 14-year-olds (like myself
) can find themselves making money and learning more and more, gaining real-world work experience. While there are many guides on how the freelancer should behave following the policy "the customer is always right", here is a guide for all the clients on here to treat people whom you're paying.
Why follow this guide?
You should follow this guide first and foremost because freelancers and people who work for you are humans as well. They may err, they may mess up, they may be unprofessional but they are humans as well and instead of making a mess of it, take the high road rather than stamp your foot and be a Karen about it.
Monetarily, following this guide and understanding a freelancer's needs increases their respect towards you. They will be much more inclined to provide you with quality work, discounts and work with you in the future as they understand your own needs. Forming a strong bond with a seller truly helps you, especially if you are looking to buy services repeatedly.
Let's get on with a few guidelines you should be following whenever you deal with a freelancer. Some of these may be reflective of my personal experiences, and therefore may work only for some.
1: Be Respectful
While you may have heard this one many times, it is first and foremost the brightest gem that a freelancer looks for in a client. Being respectful does not only entail using "professional" language - it means to really, truly understand that the person on the other side of the screen is a human and they have their own whims and needs as well. The transfer of money does not make them your slave to drop everything and work for you at the snap of your fingers. It does not permit you to be a jerk to them at any time. This will only lead to resentment, and lower-quality service.
Make sure you understand that the freelancer has IRL events, things to do and other commissions as well. Stating a deadline is not wrong, but don't push them before you near the deadline. Pestering the freelancer in a sure-fire way to get them to dislike you.
Example:
Wrong Way
Right Way
2: To err is human, to forgive is divine.
The age-old quote: to err is human, to forgive is divine. Everyone who is in this human frame will err. There is not escape nor evasion to this fundamental fact. Freelancers may not get something right in your design/plugin, they may do the wrong thing, they may even go in an entirely different direction without knowing.
At this time, it's perfectly natural to be annoyed - however everyone makes mistakes and if you want to be treated with forgiveness when you err yourself, make sure you're forgiving and understanding when a freelancer makes a mistake. Explain what they've done wrong and tell them what you want them to fix. This is a much better way of treatment and has a much higher chance of yielding the desired result - a quick, smooth fix.
Example:
Wrong Way
Right Way
3: Don't fight on the price.
Often, price is one of the main factors that causes a divide between client and freelancer. The freelancer may quote too high, the client's budget may be too low etc. As a client, if your freelancer's quote is unsatisfactory, there is nothing against negotiating as long as the freelancer is open to negotiations. You are at perfect liberty to negotiate. However, you should be respectful even during negotiation.
If you find your freelancer's quote to be too high, you can leave and find someone else without making a scene about it.
Example:
Wrong Way
Right Way
4: Respect their terms.
Most freelancers have a set of separate terms and conditions that come when they deliver a service to you. Make sure you respect these, as they are the only way freelancers can effectively protect themselves. If you have an issue with their terms, gladly take it up with them or find someone else but don't be a jerk about it.
A few tips:
Don't spam tag or mention. Freelancers may be in a different timezone, give them time!
You can always find someone else to work with.
NEVER excuse behaviour that is "scammy". Be wary in your deals.
If your freelancer is disrespectful/irresponsible, you have full right to take it up with them. Make sure you understand that the other person is a human, but also understand that you are too, and you have paid for a service.
Conclusion:
Being a good human on the internet is extremely rare but also extremely necessary in this changing world. Make sure you would treat someone over the interwebs as you would in real life (if you're a jerk IRL, get help.)
May update this with more tips, stay updated.
Ultimate Client Guide
MC-Market is one of the many markets that seeks to connect freelancers and clients in a suitable, easy way. A place where even 14-year-olds (like myself
) can find themselves making money and learning more and more, gaining real-world work experience. While there are many guides on how the freelancer should behave following the policy "the customer is always right", here is a guide for all the clients on here to treat people whom you're paying.Why follow this guide?
You should follow this guide first and foremost because freelancers and people who work for you are humans as well. They may err, they may mess up, they may be unprofessional but they are humans as well and instead of making a mess of it, take the high road rather than stamp your foot and be a Karen about it.
Monetarily, following this guide and understanding a freelancer's needs increases their respect towards you. They will be much more inclined to provide you with quality work, discounts and work with you in the future as they understand your own needs. Forming a strong bond with a seller truly helps you, especially if you are looking to buy services repeatedly.
Let's get on with a few guidelines you should be following whenever you deal with a freelancer. Some of these may be reflective of my personal experiences, and therefore may work only for some.
1: Be Respectful
While you may have heard this one many times, it is first and foremost the brightest gem that a freelancer looks for in a client. Being respectful does not only entail using "professional" language - it means to really, truly understand that the person on the other side of the screen is a human and they have their own whims and needs as well. The transfer of money does not make them your slave to drop everything and work for you at the snap of your fingers. It does not permit you to be a jerk to them at any time. This will only lead to resentment, and lower-quality service.
Make sure you understand that the freelancer has IRL events, things to do and other commissions as well. Stating a deadline is not wrong, but don't push them before you near the deadline. Pestering the freelancer in a sure-fire way to get them to dislike you.
Example:
Wrong Way
Right Way
2: To err is human, to forgive is divine.
The age-old quote: to err is human, to forgive is divine. Everyone who is in this human frame will err. There is not escape nor evasion to this fundamental fact. Freelancers may not get something right in your design/plugin, they may do the wrong thing, they may even go in an entirely different direction without knowing.
At this time, it's perfectly natural to be annoyed - however everyone makes mistakes and if you want to be treated with forgiveness when you err yourself, make sure you're forgiving and understanding when a freelancer makes a mistake. Explain what they've done wrong and tell them what you want them to fix. This is a much better way of treatment and has a much higher chance of yielding the desired result - a quick, smooth fix.
Example:
Wrong Way
Right Way
3: Don't fight on the price.
Often, price is one of the main factors that causes a divide between client and freelancer. The freelancer may quote too high, the client's budget may be too low etc. As a client, if your freelancer's quote is unsatisfactory, there is nothing against negotiating as long as the freelancer is open to negotiations. You are at perfect liberty to negotiate. However, you should be respectful even during negotiation.
If you find your freelancer's quote to be too high, you can leave and find someone else without making a scene about it.
Example:
Wrong Way
Right Way
4: Respect their terms.
Most freelancers have a set of separate terms and conditions that come when they deliver a service to you. Make sure you respect these, as they are the only way freelancers can effectively protect themselves. If you have an issue with their terms, gladly take it up with them or find someone else but don't be a jerk about it.
A few tips:
Don't spam tag or mention. Freelancers may be in a different timezone, give them time!
You can always find someone else to work with.
NEVER excuse behaviour that is "scammy". Be wary in your deals.
If your freelancer is disrespectful/irresponsible, you have full right to take it up with them. Make sure you understand that the other person is a human, but also understand that you are too, and you have paid for a service.
Conclusion:
Being a good human on the internet is extremely rare but also extremely necessary in this changing world. Make sure you would treat someone over the interwebs as you would in real life (if you're a jerk IRL, get help.)
May update this with more tips, stay updated.
Last edited:
Banned forever. Reason: Scamming (https://builtbybit.com/threads/cam-v-bugless-transaction-dispute.671198/)
