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Lazy Clients...

by linaO
14 replies
Hiya!

I'm curious, how do you deal with a client who doesn't want to answer your questionnaire?

He/she sends you a copy of their product and says "see what you can do with this. And by the way, I don't have time to answer a damn questionnaire, I mean, isn't this what I hired you for?" (not an actual client of mine, just pretend folks)
#clients #lazy
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Hoffman
    Yeah, dealing with crappy clients is no fun and the just put unneeded stress on your life. Just don't send him anything and when he asks why say its because he didn't answer your questionnaire.
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  • Profile picture of the author linaO
    That's crazy isn't it? I had a client sort of similar but he buckled after I said "I have clients ready to get started today, so it's okay if you're not ready."

    Now, I never had a monster client. Makes my skin crawl to know they're out there and some of you actually had/have one. Poor thangs grrrr.
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  • Profile picture of the author arfasaira
    Originally Posted by linaO View Post

    Hiya!

    I'm curious, how do you deal with a client who doesn't want to answer your questionnaire?

    He/she sends you a copy of their product and says "see what you can do with this. And by the way, I don't have time to answer a damn questionnaire, I mean, isn't this what I hired you for?" (not an actual client of mine, just pretend folks)
    I had a client who was too busy to go through my questionnaire - so I arranged a skype meeting with him and went through it with him in less than an hour. Much easier and better than nothing at all...and if they refuse to answer your questionnaire either in writing or verbally, then my advice to you is just to move on and find a client who WILL co-operate with you.

    PS -You can download free software called Call Graph which allows you to record Skype calls - and this way, even if you miss something when taking notes, you have the recording.
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  • Profile picture of the author linaO
    Call Graph is awesome
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe.
    "No worries, that's fine. It's just worth bearing in mind that I'll have to research it myself, which will add to the billed hours. I hope that's ok "
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    You will get some of those sometimes. Some will tell
    you that they don't want to fill the questionnaire and
    others will simply not respond to your request at all.

    You'll find that a client who doesn't want to provide you
    with information to write the copy will also be a pain
    later on the process. Writing good copy is a team
    effort with the copywriter because you cannot know
    their business and customers as well as they do.

    If a client cannot understand that relationship then
    you're better off without him. Why would a client want
    to hinder me from producing the best possible copy?
    It's just crazy. Met some of them in my 10 years
    of writing online copy.

    But for me I use the questionnaire as a filter. If you
    don't want to fill the questionnaire then you don't
    want to work with me.

    On the the side of the coin you'll get more troublesome
    clients the lower your fees are.

    -Ray Edwards
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    They want you to write copy without understanding anything about the market, product, customers?

    Not a fit.
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  • Profile picture of the author abugah
    Originally Posted by linaO View Post

    Hiya!

    I'm curious, how do you deal with a client who doesn't want to answer your questionnaire?

    He/she sends you a copy of their product and says "see what you can do with this. And by the way, I don't have time to answer a damn questionnaire, I mean, isn't this what I hired you for?" (not an actual client of mine, just pretend folks)
    I guess there are only two options. Either write the best copy under the circumstances or walk away.

    When you are new and desperate for the money and samples, walking way doesn't look like the logical option.

    By the way, these kind of clients who give scanty information are very common on Job bidding sites like Elance, Odesk, Guru etc.

    These are the kind of clients who are told and believe that a copywriter is ALL they need to make it in business. They think that product quality, customer service, target audience and business ethics are irrelevant.
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  • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
    Two hours' worth of email vs. one 10-30 minute phone call (depending on how much they want to ramble on with their answers)? It's a no-brainer to me.

    This happened to me recently, and we were both much happier when I could ask her questions, take notes, and explain why I was asking certain things.
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      I agree with Angie.

      I have a questionnaire for one of my copywriting services, but if the client prefers, I will go through it with them on the phone. Remember that they are hiring you to write something for them and may not feel they express themselves well in writing even in the informal, unpressured format of a questionnaire. They are not necessarily lazy.

      Marcia Yudkin
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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    Just quote them a research fee and give them three options:

    1) Pay it
    2) Answer your questions instead
    3) Find another writer.
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  • Profile picture of the author alfid
    I just don't waste my time with such people. Say bye-bye and go for another one.
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    • Profile picture of the author nik0
      Banned
      EDIT: I misunderstood this thread so my opinion.

      Yeah sounds pretty damn lazy to me or they have no clue what they are selling theirselves.
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