Comments on: 4 Signs That Your Potential Clients Aren't Interested (and What to Do About It)

By: Contrast | The Blog | 300+ tips from Machiavelli on advice

Contrast | The Blog | 300+ tips from Machiavelli on advice — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:07:11 +0000

[...] with genuine aspirations to be great and to really improve themselves, drop the ridiculous lists of quick fixes and shortcuts and start learning for yourself by doing and by making [...]

By: Red Flags: When to Say “No” to a Potential Client

Red Flags: When to Say “No” to a Potential Client — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:01:38 +0000

[...] If you’ve been a freelancer for any period of time, chances are you’ve already come across some number of these prospects. Hoy provides detailed description of each warning sign and helpful suggestions as to how to avoid or mitigate each of them. While considering a potential new client, you should also bear in mind the red flags that Celine wrote about in: “4 Signs That Your Potential Clients Aren’t Interested (and What to Do About It)“: [...]

By: Quix

Quix — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:34:15 +0000

Thanks Rick. I agree, no work is done until the check is received. That said, once you have a signed contract with Client A and a “check in the mail,” you naturally tell Client B and Client C you can’t take their jobs because Client A will be taking up your available time for the next (insert timeframe here). Then Client A stalls, and you end up losing all three.

By: rick

rick — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:05:21 +0000

Quix,

I start work when I see the check. The statement of work lists dates and I’d that payment must be made within X days of contract signing or the contract is void. If there seemed to be a ‘check is in the mail’ issue, I’d get on the phone with my contact and ask politely what was going on with the delay. People are amazingly reluctant to tell you even the smallest negative things like a new VP that’s froen payments. But stand up for yourseld tell them that you can’t turn away other clients because of their issues and if payment isn’t in hand by X then project start will need to move out a month (or whatever). Then take on client work from people who are willing and able to pay.

Ultimately this has the be a business relationship based on respect – you’re not their lackey but a professional providing a service they want.

By: Quix

Quix — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:42:17 +0000

OK, so what if your client signs a contract with a stipulated advance payment and promises to send a check (multiple times). So you turn down work from other clients. Meanwhile, the client commences with the foot dragging. Do you play it cool and wait for the process to play out? Do you start nagging? Or do you get nasty and pull the “we have a contract, now at least pay me my advance for the other work I’ve lost” card?

Any tips?

Frustrating…

By: Wouter Lindenhof

Wouter Lindenhof — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:47:03 +0000

@Rick, sorry then I must have misread then. What I meant is that I have seen some companies who start working on a project for a possible client and show a small demonstration to convince them they are the right man of the job.

Often the final product is not meant for the client but intended to be distrubuted by the client to third parties.

By: rick

rick — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:34:52 +0000

Wouter – Asking for some percentage of the fee on signing/start of project isn’t that unusual and it shows people a few things. First, that you’re a business. This is a transaction that’s at least partly about the money, not about touchy feely stuff. Second, it weeds out people who are cheap, don’t have funding (or have it approved) and reminds people that I’m not a bank – I’m not there to extend them credit, I’m there to provide work at a reasonable rate. If I’m investing some sizeable chunk of hours before seeing a dime, all of the risk is on me. If you compensate me upfront for a small percentage of the fee we both have something to lose by terminating the project or letting it go sideways for weeks.

By: Wouter Lindenhof

Wouter Lindenhof — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:29:09 +0000

Another method, although aggressive, is to send them a mail and then contact them within the hour with the excuse if they got your mail and ask them (after asking if they got the mail) is too ask a question that is hard to evade (so not “what do you think about it” questions).

Another rule is to use the most direct method of communication (already stated as the first fix).
Touch (face to face meeting), see (Video communication), Talk (phone, VoIP).

Also the point made by rick is a good one but keep in mind it might be a double edged sword.

By: Kate Headen

Kate Headen — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:36:52 +0000

As a freelance copywriter, I get tire-kickers all the time. If I think they are just price-cruising I send them my rate sheet and forget about it. If I think they are serious but just busy, I send a custom quote and keep in touch weekly. I find that if I keep up with my prospecting, I have enough leads that I don’t have the time to worry too much about the less than serious ones and can concentrate on the clients who are ready to work.

By: rick

rick — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:38:43 +0000

Celine,

Good points. On the last one I also attach some price to the start and first phase of a project so that they have a concrete interest in moving ahead. Not a lot – 25-33% of the cost – but it’s motivation to take the next steps.