Freelancing: Why A Revision Limit Is Necessary

Whether you won a project in a freelancer website or acquired a project in person or through social networking online, it takes time to get a project done and communication between the service provider and the client. It is the communication that is important and one of the largest failures that can happen during a project.

Some of the scenarios involve:

• The client know what they want, but unable to communicate it.
• The freelancer did not read the original project and understand what was needed, nor asked the necessary questions up front to clarify the project.
• The freelancers is not resourceful enough or not knowledgeable to complete the project successfully.
• The client has the project done, but unsatisified.
• The client likes the project so far, but requires numerous revisions.
• The client requests for something outside the agreed project contract and expects the freelancer to do it for free (freelancer has previously stated their terms on extra services.)
• The client does not have complete content or information to send and has to be asked a lot.
• The client still has no idea what they want.

The problem is that a lot of freelancers, and please note that I do not say most or all, because not every freelancer does this – they block off an amount of time for a project. Sometimes the service provider will have several projects scheduled over the course of a few days, a week, a couple weeks, or more. It all depends on the comfort level the freelancer has when taking on a workload.

Especially in web design, and sometimes other types of freelance work, it is imperative to at least have over 90% of the work completed before showing the client. 100% is even better. 🙂

1. Let the client look over the first proof.
2. Have the client put together a list of feedback, much like a checklist so everything that is missing or needs to be done can be tackled.
3. Go over revision checklist and fix or answer questions if an explanation is needed (sometimes the client will put questions in.)
4. Send back completed revision checklist for client to check for a second proof.
5. If all is good, great. If there are a few more, ask for another revision checklist and repeat process until satisfied.

Personally, I allow for 3 revisions. For anyone with a busy workload, more than 3 revisions is too much time being spent playing cat and mouse trying to go through each individual request. Make a list!!! In putting this policy of 3 revisions, or whatever number you have for yourself, you are effectively making your workload more efficient.

No freelancer is psychic – although I have had a few that I have gotten the project right on the first proof, communication is key.

What is your revision policy with clients?