How to develop a website for a non-initiative customer?

Question

Content

It happens like this: the customer asks to make a website, but does not provide any content. There are only general wishes, such as "do it this way, then take it from there, copy the other from this site." There is no question of any TK, even if you directly demand it. Do you take on such projects? If so, how do you negotiate with the customer? Where do you get the missing content?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, 80% of freelance clients suffer from this disease. Usually I carefully listen to the abstract flow of the client's desires, somehow trying to systematize this information. I propose to fill out a brief - 90%, of course, do not fill in anything. As a result, I sketch out mini-TK with the most accurate wording of tasks. I show - I agree, yeah, we work. If something is wrong, I refer to his written consent with TK. If TK does not suit you - be kind enough to add it yourself. If you don't want to, you have to say "no", because time and nerves are more valuable than money.
I take the missing content from similar sites or even insert abracadabra. Naturally, I inform you that the content is not unique and after the project is completed, you need to fill it with your own. Of course, before that, you need to teach the client how to use the admin panel.

Answer 2

So maybe he is not qualified enough even to just give TK?
And he doesn’t want to bother, he has other worries.
A template site is turnkey for him, and that's it, and he will be satisfied with the very fact
that he has a site. A couple of short articles on the topic, a title and a couple of paragraphs,
then let him write. If it has a topic, for example "irons", then:
"the history of the iron in Russia", "Care for the iron", "My first iron", "Congratulations on the day of the iron", etc.

Answer 3

It was like that. I spent a couple of days to throw a mockup, to make a more or less intelligible TOR for myself, based on the squeezed words from the customer. But then at the meeting I received something like this: "Well, I thought that the site is not needed yet, sorry, goodbye."
But this is a special case, it is necessary to look at the solvency, interest and seriousness of the client.

Answer 4

Do the work without initiative :) and take an advance payment.