How to approach this

[ChroniC]

I work as a freelance graphic artist/designer etc.
I have been asked by a client who I contract for, how i do a particular thing, so he can show others who work for him.

I frankly want to tell him to go **** himself. I would prefer not to show others how I stand out amongst a crowded industry and that if they can't do it correctly he should send me all the work.
That said I do not want to be rude and lose a valuable client.

Rock -- Hardplace.

I want to write something like this.

"I feel like I'm being put in a difficult place here because I don't want to impact your business, but I hope you can appreciate that how I do something is what makes me stand out from the others. This is not something I want to share so quickly after 10 years of trying to perfect it and it is the reason I hope you send me work."

 

[ChroniC]

Never give your work or work advice away for free.

With regard to my contract, it is a very loosely based object, which given something like this I realise needs to be improved.
It only comprises of costs and times etc. I will work on finding somethng more approriate.

I have emailed him saying something similar to the above, we shall see what happens.

 

[ChroniC]

He's basically asking you to teach his staff how to do something you do, so he can ditch you and get them to do it. Tell him to do one, or pay a lot of money for the privilege.

Exactly why I got the hump. It would have to be worth many many months invoices to commit me into doing that, and I know he won't pay it. Seems it's going to be a wait to see if he replies at all, knowing he was trying to pull a fast one or wait to see if he choose inferior work and getting his knickers in a twist.

 

[ChroniC]

How did this turn out in the end?

I told him, a variation of what I wrote in the OP. He came back with a quite calm and reasonable email, saying he understood the situation.
That was all, and he is now on holiday, so if there is to be any fallout from it via a bitterness towards me, I wont know yet.

I think he will likely just forget about it as he would be imo (trumpet blowing) taking a step back if he does sack me off.

 

[ChroniC]

hopefully so