Well... at least you have other clients. It would be even harder to deal with if they were two of your only clients, and you weren't making any money off them but you didn't have any other customers to keep happy. So, not the worst problem in the world to have, I suppose.
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Telling People No
Started by
copywriter
, Aug 19 2003 09:10 AM
21 replies to this topic
#17
Beth_C
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HR 3
Posted 20 August 2003 - 02:55 PM
The President of a company I used to work for had a saying, "Reduce the resistance in your life." He said this in regard to working with difficult clients. There really is no need to work with a client who is going to add stress to your life/job.
When I get in a situation like this, I try to frame it that I'm doing the client a favor by releasing them. In your situation I might say something like,
"I've really appreciated working with you. It seems, however, that our working styles are not matching up very well. I feel bad pestering you to get approval and then having things drag on for several months for each project. There are a couple of excellent copywriters that I know of that I think might be a better match for you. Do you have a pen handy and I can give you some names and phone numbers?"
Good luck reducing your resistance! I have found the key is to go with your gut feelings up front. If you think the client is going to turn into a pain, it's best not to deal with them at all. You can try asking some "test" questions and seeing how they respond.
Beth C.
When I get in a situation like this, I try to frame it that I'm doing the client a favor by releasing them. In your situation I might say something like,
"I've really appreciated working with you. It seems, however, that our working styles are not matching up very well. I feel bad pestering you to get approval and then having things drag on for several months for each project. There are a couple of excellent copywriters that I know of that I think might be a better match for you. Do you have a pen handy and I can give you some names and phone numbers?"
Good luck reducing your resistance! I have found the key is to go with your gut feelings up front. If you think the client is going to turn into a pain, it's best not to deal with them at all. You can try asking some "test" questions and seeing how they respond.
Beth C.
#18
copywriter
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- Moderator
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HR 7
- Location:South Carolina, USA
Posted 20 August 2003 - 03:07 PM
Yeah, Beth... test questions. That's a good idea.
This is not a chronic problem... thank God... but when it happens it drives me nuts.
Dragon... you're right. I could have worse problems and I realize that, too.
This is not a chronic problem... thank God... but when it happens it drives me nuts.
Dragon... you're right. I could have worse problems and I realize that, too.
#19
toprank
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HR 3
- Location:Minneapolis, Minnesota
Posted 20 August 2003 - 05:33 PM
Beth, I really like the phrasing you used. Very straightforward but not offensive. I may need to borrow it 
#20
dragonlady7
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HR 6
- Location:Buffalo, NY
Posted 21 August 2003 - 08:28 AM
There's a fine line that straightforward and inoffensive need to walk together. I don't master it well, but it's key to dealing with all kinds of people. Perhaps I should work on that... 
They should teach classes in it.
They should teach classes in it.
#21
stoli
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Posted 21 August 2003 - 01:25 PM
To some point I just contribute dealing with "time wasters" as a cost of doing business. There are all types of people out there and I just try to recognize the "not so good customers" . Once established that they will waste my time a lot, I can deal with them a little differently than normal.
If they dont make it a priority to get back to me on payment issues or other information that I need to get my the job done, then I wont bust my butt over making them a high priority. The problem is that it is sometimes hard to put a customer off when you are accustomed to treating all customers the same and give all great service.
If I see that I wont be profitable then I will be as honest as possible (without being rude), and say that I already have some pressing jobs that I am working on. I tell them that I want their business if they can bear with me. Then I can usually fit them in around MY schedule.
Pricing should also take into account these issues. As long as you can charge enough to justify all your headaches, you can still come out ahead. However, if you cant make money with a customer, why do the work at all?
If they dont make it a priority to get back to me on payment issues or other information that I need to get my the job done, then I wont bust my butt over making them a high priority. The problem is that it is sometimes hard to put a customer off when you are accustomed to treating all customers the same and give all great service.
If I see that I wont be profitable then I will be as honest as possible (without being rude), and say that I already have some pressing jobs that I am working on. I tell them that I want their business if they can bear with me. Then I can usually fit them in around MY schedule.
Pricing should also take into account these issues. As long as you can charge enough to justify all your headaches, you can still come out ahead. However, if you cant make money with a customer, why do the work at all?
#22
copywriter
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Posted 21 August 2003 - 01:29 PM
Welcome, TopRank 
Yes, stoli, I do the same with your "normal" time wasters. However, these 2 are not "normal." I have folks that I gladly accommodate when they drag their feet a bit. But when it comes to these 2 individuals, months on end and 60-90 day payments are a complete waste of my time and money.
While I love what I do, I DO do it in order to make money
Yes, stoli, I do the same with your "normal" time wasters. However, these 2 are not "normal." I have folks that I gladly accommodate when they drag their feet a bit. But when it comes to these 2 individuals, months on end and 60-90 day payments are a complete waste of my time and money.
While I love what I do, I DO do it in order to make money
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