Sometimes we get that client that is a peach to work with. They know what they want, are willing to work with you to get there, and are excited about what is being produced. These jobs usually run smoothly and produce great results because both parties were on the same page the excitement and energy perpetuated throughout the process, and one more IMPORTANT thing:

Clarity of VISION on behalf of both parties….especially the client!

This is not to say that we as designers, marketers, service industry people, are not supposed to help our clients by giving them a gentle nudge in a certain direction. Quite the opposite. As small business owners, we are in a great position to do these small things that could produce BIG results.

We should be empowering those clients that are unsure or unclear of what they want. Is your client unsure what a good logo looks like? Show them what one is, point out why it is good & better yet, point out logos that aren’t necessarily as good. If your client has no clue what they want in terms of design for their project it will be like playing pin the tail on the donkey…only the donkey is microscopic.

Give a person a fish and they’ll eat for a day; Teach a person to fish and they’ll never go hungry. I guess that applies to creating with your clients. If you show them, teach them, and tell them what sound design is and why it is effective when used properly, hopefully they get excited. They begin to open up their eyes to new possibilites. They will begin taking a proactive approach to their design.

Suddenly, “I don’t know what I want” will turn into “I know what I want”.

Of course that may not be a good thing either (read: The Bad)