How do you deal with clients who think that their grammar/spelling is correct even if it isn't? For instance, what if the client accuses you of wasting his time because (according to him) you misspelled a certain word (like he insists "accommodation" should be "accomodation)?
Err...point them to a dictionary? If it's a grammar problem, find details about the grammar rule on the net and point them to that?
That's a good solution Dolbz. If it does not work, you can just change "accommodation" to "accomodation. If someone wants to remain blind, you have nothing to do.
Yup. That about sums it up. To add to that, don't work with them again if they're accusing you of "wasting their time." If they can't treat a writer with the respect he deserves, they don't deserve your time and energy in the first place. And if possible, send them a packet of anthrax.
Point out the fact that you spell check all of your work using [enter word processing program here]'s Spell Check tool. Also, if you've got a client who accuses you of wasting their time over spelling, first and foremost, it's time to cut the apron strings for that client - before they refuse to pay. Just politely inform him/her that you are a professional, and that he/she can either quit quibbling over spelling, or they will be welcome to go find another writer. *Note: I don't tolerate idiots, and there's no reason why any writer should.
Well before you complain about the client, make sure they're not correct. If they're located in a different area than you, there could be spelling differences. On top of that, some words have more than one acceptable spelling. Otherwise, as others have said, point them to the dictionary. Don't misspell intentionally for the client. That just makes you look bad, and it takes away your ability to use that piece in your portfolio (if you're allowed to in the first place). I also agree that if this is "normal" with this client, kick them to the curb. Find someone who can appreciate your work, and don't lower your professional standards.
You can also inform the client that they are welcome (if ghost work) to do whatever they want after the fact. M-W.com is your friend. I would have sent him this: http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/accomodation As you can see, it provides suggestions for the proper spelling of the word. To sum it up, don't work with clients who irritate you.
Hi There - You've had very good advice already. I would just remind you that all of business is negotiation. And one of the cardinal rules of negotiation is to always know your walk away position. This doesn't mean walk away. It means that you tell this client firmly that you are doing what he/she hired you to do... and are prepared to walk away if the client insists you not serve them professionally. It's tough if the client is of some size, but another general rule of thumb is to get to the point in your practice where no client is worth more than one third of your business. I think we've all been in similar situations -- best of luck. - Scott
If he used the words, "you are wasting my time," that is enough for me to say, "see ya!" I need more patience. Eh, screw it.
i will talk to him and see all the proofs that i have to convince him that im right and what he insisted to have is wrong. but of course, ill talk to him in a nice and professional manner, after all he's still my client and he needs to understand everything.
First of all I would listen to jhmattern's advice and make sure the spelling error isn't just a local spelling instead. For instance the Merriam Webster dictionary may well be "your friend", as the poster a couple above me so glibly put it, if you're American and writing for an American in American English, but may not be so friendly if you're writing for someone in the UK or Australia. For instance, Accommodation is used in British English where some American writers might use Accommodations - with an 's' on the end. Then there's a whole bunch of others: Colour - Color Optimization - Optimisation Centre - Center Theatre - Theater Humour - Homor Analyse - Analyze Archaeology - Archeology Dialogue - Dialog Not to mention the many different words that mean the same thing. Also some areas of the US, especially in the South, spell some things the British way, or the French way as it's the same thing for Theatre, Colour, Humour et cetera. It's not just English either; there are differences between (Latin) American Spanish and Spanish Spanish, spoken in Spain. So, before you go galloping off on that long legged equine, make sure you're both on the same page of the dictionary, of the same dictionary.
So very true Astroman 1, Search Engine Optimization US Standard English Words. center, fiber, theater, color, humor, recognize, analyze, optimize, traveled, traveler, archeology, maneuver, dialog, Pants. 2. Search Engine Optimisation UK Standard English Words. centre, fibre, theatre, colour, humour, recognise, analyse, optimise, travelled, traveller, archaeology, manoeuvre, dialogue, Trousers. And that's just 2 Standard's of English that are taught in the UK & US
There is a rule in business and that is the customer is always right. Once you point out the error and he insists on his spelling, then you have done your job. We all know that the customer is not always right, but spending time and aggravation trying to educate them is something most of us do not bill for.
Take a look at M-W.com first. Here, I'll help you: http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/Colour http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/Humour What's it say? So perhaps I wasn't as "glib" as you thought.
No, you definitely are. It wasn't so much the suggesting M-W.com, but more the smarmy "m-w.com is your friend" and now the "Take a look at M-W.com first. Here, I'll help you". I'm sorry I said that though, I didn't mean to sound harsh. Still, I would expect words like colour and humour to be in there, some American authors use those spellings. How about: http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/neighbours That's a very odd entry, saying it doesn't exist yet offering it up as Suggestion number 1, yet saying it doesn't exist when you click on it.
Look up the singular form, and it does show up correctly. In some cases the site is giving the result you saw for plural forms, and in some cases it defaults to the singular form - but when looking something up, you should generally look up the singular form anyway.
wow thank you very much for all the tips! while i will never ever lower my professional standards and i will never ever stoop to his level, this matter just bugged me a bit because the client left that feedback for everyone else to see (the "wasting my time" bit). and he specifically mentioned my username. ugh. imagine the gall of that client --- he even insisted that unglad is a word!!! hello?!? and that grammar is grammer and that jewelry is jewellery *rolls eyes* he still paid me but with not-so-pleasant feedback
I remember a jewelry vs. jewellery debate once between jewelry-makers on a forum. Jewellery is proper British spelling. Now as for "grammer" and "unglad..." I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure they ain't proper words in modern British English. Unglad is at best an obsolete word. Overall, it definitely sounds like needless quibbling on your client's part, especially if he's not willing to consult dictionaries.
And that's why it's best to prescreen clients. Only take on clients that are a match for your operating parameters. If you do get a bad apple, it's best to just move on. Don't get negative, because negative energy will just get in the way.