mythteller: (dork)
mythteller ([personal profile] mythteller) wrote2007-04-11 07:23 pm

Clients: the Bane of my Professional Existence

Running your own business can be fun, but dealing with clients can be ... weird and frustrating. It can also make you forget why you set up the business in the first place as a client can lead you down an increasingly thorny path until you realize this was not destination to which you intended to travel.

At that point, you have to decide which way you want to go.

1. You can grit your teeth and hack your way through the brambles until you reach the end, swearing up and down that you will never walk this path again.

2. You can promptly turn around and walk back, never knowing what awaited you at the end of the path, but deeming it not to be worth the hassle.

3. You can recognize you've been on this path before, but this time, this time, you'll make it through the jungle because you're smarter and wiser now.

I've been down this path a few times and I'm now faced with it again. Fortunately, another person (who, by his actions, is far wiser than me) has shown me that I must walk away. This new potential client first approached me by asking for my writing services, but is now wanting webdesign, technical support, and account management services. And he has the audacity to nickel and dime me on the rate (which he verbally agreed to weeks ago, saying that we didn't need to sign a contract on it because we were honorable men).

Argh.

I'm an honest guy and I try to be an honest businessman. I want to offer my clients the best product I can deliver, whether it's storytelling, biographies, or technical writing and quite frankly, the quality of my work is equal or superior to the cost. I want to be fair, generous, and flexible when it comes to my client's needs and requests, but I do have limits.

It's time to stand by those limits. It's time to walk away.

To make myself feel better, I've been re-watching Kevin Smith talk about writing the Superman script. It's reassuring to know that even greats like Smith have to face dumb clients.

[identity profile] kino-kid.livejournal.com 2007-04-12 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
Another great example: Harlan Ellison wrote the first Star Trek feature film script. One of the executives had just read Chariots of the Gods, and didn't think the script was very good because it didn't have a pyramid in it, so thought it needed a rewrite. Ellison walked out at the end of this meeting and never looked back.

Sometimes you do know better than your client.

[identity profile] silly-imp.livejournal.com 2007-04-12 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
oooh. I hear ya!

My mantra #1: Always get a contract which sets out exactly who is providing what services or components of the contract and what you're expected to deliver.

My mantra #2: I'm good at what I do. I'm worth what I charge.

My mantra #3: Charging less or undercharging attracts 'lower quality' and higher maintenance clients. (Cross references this mantra to paradox #3)

My mantra #4: If I'm dropping my rates for a 'bulk' client, I'm depriving myself of earnings at a higher rate. Consider the benefit ratio of income vs. customer services for a low-maintenance client before reducing rates.

My mantra #5: Drop high maintenance clients (and those that want to haggle over costs and delivery dates, or can't stick to timelines) like a piece of hot lava rock.

My mantra #6: Some jobs are never worth it!



[identity profile] photogeek-mtl.livejournal.com 2007-04-12 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
I must admit that I've never been an independent businessman --- but it seems to me that anyone who suggests you don't need a contract is probably not very trustworthy.

Good luck...
guppiecat: (Default)

[personal profile] guppiecat 2007-04-12 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
but is now wanting webdesign, technical support, and account management services.

If you wish to keep this person in your life, my company does offer those services. If you're interested, we could work up a split-project. However, given how you describe the person, we might not want him as a client either. So, consider this a friendly offer. If you think there is value here, we could discuss what's involved and see he could handle the increased price of actually paying for what he wants.

That said, I have also been in the position of needing to fire clients, and also in the position of keeping clients that we didn't want because "the money is to good". Neither is an enjoyable position, but once they're gone, life is certainly better.

[identity profile] lunar-phoenix09.livejournal.com 2007-04-12 01:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Ahhh that guy again eh? Well if you need to talk, I am here for you. I should be on msn tonight for a bit.

I say business is business and you need to move on to keep in mind what you want to do with it, not what he wants. And besides he's clearly not that honorable if he's going back on his word now. Do you really want to keep working with someone that goes back on his word? You'll only question whatever he says in the furture and drive yourself nuts.

Hugs.