Some clients just aren’t a fit
At the beginning of October, I started working with two senior employees at a company with
big plans. They wanted to start off with a companion piece for their biggest PowerPoint sales presentation. Then by the end of the month they wanted to have a new presentation and several other deliverables that would help them really speak to their audiences.
I finished the first piece on time, and I wrote to them to ask what was next on the list. I got a note back that the flyer was great and they were going to start using it right away.
Great, I said. What’s next? I left a message, sent another couple of emails, and then finally just sent the invoice with a nice note. “Looking forward to working with you again,” I signed .
I still haven’t heard from them. I think they saw my first piece and perhaps said, “Wow — we can do this. Why am I paying someone else to do this?” Or maybe they got busy and put this project in the corner. Or maybe they didn’t like what I gave them.
At any rate, I don’t expect to hear back. This coupled with a personal rejection this week hits home the point that not everyone is going to like you. And this may hurt your feelings and make you feel like less of a person or a writer or a business owner. But it really just means that you weren’t the right fit.
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Truddle on 19 Oct 2007 at 9:20 am #
It sounds like you have had a real rough week! Weeks like this it is always nice when it is Friday - the weekend - a time for regaining yourself.
John Leach on 19 Oct 2007 at 9:44 am #
Beth,
I wouldn’t give up so fast. As the owner of a couple of different companies I can tell you that I come up with a lot of big ideas…start them, and then push them aside while working on other projects. There is a good chance they liked your work, but they are too busy, or changed direction. Keep following up. Keep notes on every communication you send them, and follow-up at least 10 times (not all at once). You can also put together something quick for them…like “Dear Mr. Big, I’ve been thinking about the project we started and just can’t sleep. I’ve been researching what a lot of your competitors offer and have some great ideas for how we can really amp up our next step and really separate yourselves in the eyes of your clients. Let’s meet next Friday and I can show you what I have come up with.”
Wayne Carley on 19 Oct 2007 at 11:25 am #
Beth,
How I can sympathize! For me the rejection is bad enough, but the failure to show common courtesy and acknowledge your work and contact attemts really is an appalling part of society today. I just finished writing a thank you note for a rejection letter because it’s so rare that people even confirm receipt, let along follow up.
Keep your chin up and fight the good fight! We all still love you and the great contributions you make to the community.
Moonbeam McQueen on 19 Oct 2007 at 10:35 pm #
Beth- I just can’t tell you how great this blog is. I learn so much just from reading about these experiences you go through. You’re a true professional, and it seems that the end result of all of these “trials and tribulations” you write about is that you always land on your feet. You will on this one too.
Christine OKelly on 20 Oct 2007 at 10:28 pm #
You could turn this into a learning experience - the feedback could be far more valuable than what the project could have brought in.
How about sending them something like a customer satisfaction survey? This could feel scary and intimidating, but if they really are blowing you off, the answers could help you figure out how to avoid this type of client or this project in the future.
Question Pro.com has a template for a customer satisfaction survey - or you can create your own. Isn’t a bad idea for every freelancer to send them to every client after a job.
http://www.questionpro.com/akira/showArticle.do?articleID=customersatisfaction01
It still stings | Life on Avenue Z on 12 Mar 2008 at 3:40 pm #
[...] I had an eerie feeling that I wouldn’t get paid. And I haven’t. And their unpaid invoice for $150 remains on my outstanding invoice list. And every time I see it, I feel like I failed, and I feel like I didn’t do right by them, and I feel like a wimp for not trying harder to collect (though I have called and left messages, plus sent a couple of emails). addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeonavenuez.com%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F03%2F12%2Fstings%2F’; addthis_title = ‘It+still+stings’; addthis_pub = ”; [...]