12 replies to this topic

[RayWrites]

Hi All,

Just curious, what percentage of you actually meet with clients? And if so - assuming they're local - is once usually enough?

I recently took on a client who insisted on multiple meetings to review his content; some of which I had already written and some which had yet to be written. At one point, he insisted I bring my laptop with me to his location so we could collaborate and get it done right there and than. Suffice it to say, I am no longer working for this client.

Thoughts?

Edited by Randy, 05 August 2008 - 09:01 PM.

[Randy]

This was a client or a prospective client?

I don't so SEO for others anymore so maybe I'm too old school, but back in the day if I had a local client I'd meet with them as often as they wanted. Of course since my billing was set up as an hourly thing it didn't really matter to me. I'd meet as long and as often as they wanted, because they were paying for my time.

[ScottSalwolke]

I meet with my clients as needed. Most of my clients are out of town, so I guess I'm glad when I can have a face to face meeting. But I do anticipate these meetings when I develop my proposal, so they aren't for free.

[Jill]

Depends on how much they're paying!

[incrediblehelp]

I meet with all of them weekly at least if we are working on changes. If we are more in maintenance mode then less often.

[copywriter]

I don't take local clients anymore for this very reason. They take up too much time, IMO. Even if they are paying for the time, that doesn't help my schedule when I have other copy to write on a deadline, ya know?

I'd meet as long and as often as they wanted, because they were paying for my time.

You got that right! If I was going to meet personally with clients face-to-face, this would be what I'd do.

It's your choice. Just make your policies and rates known to your clients when you first start working with them so they have no surprises when the invoice comes in.

[RayWrites]

Thanks to those that resonded

In this particular case, I was charging per page and won't be doing that again anytime soon.

[Removed tag line. You already have a signature that gets added automatically. ~Randy]

Edited by Randy, 06 August 2008 - 08:53 AM.

[copywriter]

You can charge per page for copywriting. Just have an hourly rate for meetings, travel, consultations, etc., etc.

I'm not one to charge hourly for copywriting. To me, the client isn't really looking to pay for my time. They are looking for me to get them results. Whether it takes me 10 minutes to write it or 10 hours seems irrelevant as long as their conversion rate goes up.

[Zishan Ahmed]

Unless you are paid for that meeting, then there is no harm in that, somewhere down the line this will certainly going to have an positive impact and who know can land up a big deal for you in the near future.

[stepintothelight]

RayWrites/All,

Here is what I do, not specifically for copywriting, but definitely applies.

• I find out beforehand if the size of the contract/project justifies travel (generally one day travel or an overnight trip).
• I pay for the initial client face-to-face meeting if contracted or the business pitch (it seems to be just simply worth it to introduce yourself and know for whom you are working)
• If it is an annual contract, I insert language in the agreement that says I will pay to travel for a face-to-face "up to" once per year if necessary and additional travel expense is the resposibility of the client and subject to pre-approval before occuring.

I don't usually get requests for more face-to-face meetings, so the result is that I meet them once on my dime, and that's usually it. Let's face it, SEO is a business in which everything can be conducted efficiently from remote locations...part of the beauty of it to me.

[copywriter]

Welcome step

Thanks for sharing!

[RayWrites]

RayWrites/All,

Here is what I do, not specifically for copywriting, but definitely applies.

• I find out beforehand if the size of the contract/project justifies travel (generally one day travel or an overnight trip).
• I pay for the initial client face-to-face meeting if contracted or the business pitch (it seems to be just simply worth it to introduce yourself and know for whom you are working)
• If it is an annual contract, I insert language in the agreement that says I will pay to travel for a face-to-face "up to" once per year if necessary and additional travel expense is the resposibility of the client and subject to pre-approval before occuring.

I don't usually get requests for more face-to-face meetings, so the result is that I meet them once on my dime, and that's usually it. Let's face it, SEO is a business in which everything can be conducted efficiently from remote locations...part of the beauty of it to me.

Good advice.
Thanks!

[Zishan Ahmed]

Everyone do not have the same luxury as you have step... With my client list, when every they are supposed to make pin size modification, i have to travel to my client place for the consultation.