ANNOYING CLIENTS
After receiving a comment on the last chapter about customer feedback, I thought it important to address this point. Yes it is true that a lot of authors requesting covers take you and your skills for granted.
An annoying factor can be impatience. Most designers will have a list, or "queue". This will show at what stage their designs are at, whether they have been started or not. It is a good idea to include this on your front page and keep it updated regularly so that you don't have ten different people asking when their cover will be done. For the most part if a person knows at what stage their request is, they will be more patient. They don't want to think you have forgotten them so keep them informed and updated. If for any reason you are unable to do your designs quickly, let them know. Give them the option to go elsewhere. If they particularly want you to design their cover they will wait. The most important thing is to keep the client informed, don't just ignore them.
Other frustrating factors can include people who ask you to redo the design a dozen times. I have a policy where they get three design alterations free of charge. When I am working professionally and getting paid for a design, a customer will only get three design alterations on the cheapest grade package, so I don't see why people who are getting it free should get more. Three is the industry standard when you purchase the lowest price grading anyway.
On the other hand, I would not want someone to say thanks I love it, when they don't really. I would rather they said how they wanted it changed so that they actually use the design. Which brings me on to the next annoyance: Not even bothering to use your design. There are only so many things you can do to try and get it right; sometimes a client won't even tell you if it's not what they were after and sometimes it just doesn't work. Whatever the reason, there is no use getting irrate with the client. If they do not use your design, politely ask if they would mind you 'recycling' it. This will save you work later on.
What annoys me the most is when they don't even bother getting back to me after I've put in hours of work just for them free of charge. It is just plain rude! That is why I have the two day policy.
THE TWO DAY POLICY
The two day policy is basically where their design is 'recycled' if they do not contact me within that two day period. Many will give you excuses, and although some may be genuine, not all are, so it is best to have a policy that applies to everyone - if you let one person get away with it, then you must allow everyone, so stick to this policy no matter what excuse they have. You may have to be ruthless, but you will be thankful in the end, less headaches.
When I have finished their design I post it on the thread and let them know it is available. They have two days to approve it or request a re-design. After this time, their design will no longer be their's. I then remove the author's name, the title, and any subtitle. The design is then put up for sale on my website. If you are not yet at the professional level, you could just hold on to it - it may be appropriate for another client with just a slight modification. This will save you some work later on.
If the client then contacts you a week later asking where their design is, you can explain that if they would still like you to design them something, you will happily add them to the list again - at the end of course. Some may have genuine reasons for not being able to get back to you in the two day period and this will give them the benefit of the doubt. However, I do say that if a client does this more than once, then it is best to ban them so you don't waste your time.
However you decide to go about it, ensure that you apply the same rule to everyone regardless if their pet hamster dies or the dog ate their laptop.
Remember, there will always be people who will not appreciate your talents or your help. They might think they are doing you a favour by coming to you. There are many cover designers on wattpad, but you should know deep inside yourself that you are good at what you do. If they want one of your covers, they will respect your rules. However you must respect them in return. Never be openly hostile to a client, it will do your reputation no good in the long run. Try your best to resolve any issues but be firm - always stick to your word and people will learn to respect you and your talents.
YOU ARE READING
A Pinkabelle guide to book cover design.
Non-FictionSo many people have asked me how I design my book covers, how they can do it themselves, where I get my pictures from, and so on. I figured it was about time I answered all those questions in one place. Seeing as this is a literary site, how better...
