Nobody loves a runaway project. You know, the type that starts as a Sunday drive to the market and ends up as a high-speed chase going southbound on the 405. However, occasionally, we get blessed with a v1 approval 🥹🤩🥳

All jokes aside, getting v1 approval is not very common, as most projects require multiple rounds of review to ensure they are done correctly. However, there are specific steps you can take to obtain approval from clients without going down the rabbit hole of approvals. 

Here are five tips that can help you speed up the sign-off and approval process.

1. Set reasonable expectations and milestones. 

Let your clients know up front that a project will require a few revisions and X number of hours to complete. This will help them to budget their time and avoid any surprises.

2. Understand what’s important to each stakeholder. 

When working with a client, take the time to understand their goals and objectives. This will help you create relevant and valuable work for them.

3. Involve and educate your client from the start. 

Take the time to educate them about your process and why you’re making certain decisions. The earlier you involve your client in the process, the more likely you will get their buy-in and avoid any surprises later on.

4. Implement feedback. 

When your client provides feedback, be sure to implement it promptly. This will show them that you’re listening and that you value their input.

5. Thoroughly explain why you did what you did. 

Don’t just assume that your client will understand the reasoning behind your decisions. Take the time to explain why you made the choices you did. This will help to build trust and rapport with your client.

In the world of creative projects, dealing with endless approval loops can be tiring and time-consuming. But with these five tips, you can increase your chances of getting client approval without getting lost. Effective communication, understanding client objectives, and involving clients from the start is crucial for this process.

Setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and thoroughly explaining your decisions is essential to build trust and encourage collaboration. Streamlining the approval process saves time and results in happier clients and smoother project execution. Apply these tips to enjoy a successful project journey.


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