Comments on: Some clients just aren’t a fit http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/10/some-clients-just-arent-a-fit/ The adventures of a new freelance copywriter Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:09:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: It still stings | Life on Avenue Z http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/10/some-clients-just-arent-a-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-1396 It still stings | Life on Avenue Z Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:40:19 +0000 http://lifeonavenuez.com/?p=62#comment-1396 [...] 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 = ''; [...] [...] 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 = ”; [...]

]]> By: Christine OKelly http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/10/some-clients-just-arent-a-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Christine OKelly Sun, 21 Oct 2007 06:28:18 +0000 http://lifeonavenuez.com/?p=62#comment-43 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. :) <a href="http://www.questionpro.com/akira/showArticle.do?articleID=customersatisfaction01" rel="nofollow">http://www.questionpro.com/akira/showArticle.do?articleID=customersatisfaction01</a> 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

]]> By: Moonbeam McQueen http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/10/some-clients-just-arent-a-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Moonbeam McQueen Sat, 20 Oct 2007 06:35:20 +0000 http://lifeonavenuez.com/?p=62#comment-42 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. 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.

]]> By: Wayne Carley http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/10/some-clients-just-arent-a-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Wayne Carley Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:25:38 +0000 http://lifeonavenuez.com/?p=62#comment-41 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. 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.

]]> By: John Leach http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/10/some-clients-just-arent-a-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-40 John Leach Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:44:23 +0000 http://lifeonavenuez.com/?p=62#comment-40 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." 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.”

]]> By: Truddle http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/10/some-clients-just-arent-a-fit/comment-page-1/#comment-39 Truddle Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:20:13 +0000 http://lifeonavenuez.com/?p=62#comment-39 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. :-) 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. :-)

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