Scrutinise client briefs as much as service provider credentials

To be a trusted service provider we must really prove ourselves, including the aptitude test that covers everything from mathematics to pragmatism. I think it's good, however...

Clients can write useless briefs that give no helpful information. (eg: "I need someone to redesign my website, only experts considered") Worse still it comes with a fixed price - but there are so many variables that would affect the price.

The clarification board doesn't work in my experience; The questions have already been asked several times and not answered, there is too much temptation to put a huge number of questions in to the clarification area (as you would with an initial meeting) but that is overwhelming for the client and reveals to competitors how you go about your project planning (the one thing that would give you success over them yet are forced to reveal).

This forces us to actually bid on the project and ask questions there while risking our credits.

The website is therefore service-seeker led rather than service-provider led, on a way that is unbalanced.

As much as a service provider is forced to prove themselves, I think clients should be 'encouraged' (not forced) to fill out a basic brief template.

This would probably be easiest if there were compulsory data entry fields for them to fill in (which could have an option of 'unknown' if they really don't know).

Even simple questions such as 'current website link' (asked and unanswered on almost all web-design clarification boards) - Just to give the service provider 'something' to go off when making a proposal (which costs us to do, so we deserve support in receiving proper briefs).

I believe this is beneficial for both parties, as it saves both sides wasting time and gives both sides useful answers to their queries.

Official comment

Haris

May 12, 2020 08:46

Hi all,

I know my reply comes a bit late, but you'll be happy to hear that we have started working on project templates, which will do exactly that: ask buyers more specific questions regarding their project, so that freelancers are better informed.

Moreover, there will be different questions depending on the project category, so that the information provided will be even more relevant and helpful.

So stay tuned!

Thanks,

Product Manager @ PeoplePerHour

Nicholas

March 16, 2019 12:57

YES!

Hey Matthew, that's a really good idea I think you might be on to something!

Introducing a template for client requests sounds like it would make everyone's lives a little easier.

Sincerely a fellow freelancer who is experiencing a similar issue...

Dani

May 08, 2019 10:35

Hi Matthew, I'm new here and for the looks of it I totally agree with you.

You are right on when you say: "The website is therefore service-seeker led rather than service-provider led, on a way that is unbalanced."

Well put!

HOPE

July 31, 2019 20:05

Agree with you totally!

Scrutinise client briefs as much as service provider credentials

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