8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Getting a Cient to Pay Attention Where You Need them to. Advice?

by RentItNow
7 replies
I seem to be running into communication issues with a few clients lately. They will ask me to do an ad or whatever for "xyz" and I tell them I need certain critical details to do that ad fully. This usually goes ignored and I will have to send another email or text or phone call trying to collect this vital information. The response I am getting is usually, "I will have to get back to you on that, but can you do xyz as well?"

I really dont mind this but as a deadline for print or an event deadline approaches, that communication becomes more critical (how am I going to create an ad without details?).

I'm running into this over and over.

Any advice to prevent these slowing of critical communications with my clients? Anyone having this difficulty?

When I worked in the corporate world, I learned how to get around this but I cant use that strategy in this case which was to just do whatever I can and hope for the best.
#advice #attention #cient #pay
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Do you make your clients give you a down payment? That usually gets them involved.

    How about an agreement up front? "I need you to do this or I can't do that."

    Perhaps try an artificial deadline of your own. Your clients could be dilly-dallying because they know the final product isn't due for awhile; but if you say "Look, I can't do this for you unless we get it done before next Tuesday," and hold them to that, it could create urgency on their part. Also, you won't have awful last minute effort to put in because of their slowness.
    Signature
    >> How To Grow Your Online Business [FREE Training Video, No Opt-In, from 10+ Year Vet]

    >> For Agency Founders: The Fast Shortcut To Selling SEO, Leadgen, Webdesign & Other Services
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5083110].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Michael Bucker
      It seems to be a personality issue. Certain personalities don’t get things done until the last minute. They push the envelope and stop right before the edge of the cliff. They are use to saving things at the last minute and only pay attention to the emergency at hand.

      Thus my suggestion is this. Start moving your emergency up to be the one needed at a time that is comfortable for you still. If say 11-05-11 is a comfortable date to get the info in and 11-18-11 is the absolute last day to get it in. Send an email or text and say 11-14-11 is the last day. Make your own emergency date to be one you’re not stressed about.

      If it has to be done now and it is the last minute more will respond to that. “Last Chance” is the title if it’s an email. Happy hunting my friend.
      Signature

      How to book a Seminar
      All my secrets
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5083312].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RussellRead
    Originally Posted by RentItNow View Post

    I seem to be running into communication issues with a few clients lately. They will ask me to do an ad or whatever for "xyz" and I tell them I need certain critical details to do that ad fully. This usually goes ignored and I will have to send another email or text or phone call trying to collect this vital information. The response I am getting is usually, "I will have to get back to you on that, but can you do xyz as well?"

    I really dont mind this but as a deadline for print or an event deadline approaches, that communication becomes more critical (how am I going to create an ad without details?).

    I'm running into this over and over.

    Any advice to prevent these slowing of critical communications with my clients? Anyone having this difficulty?

    When I worked in the corporate world, I learned how to get around this but I cant use that strategy in this case which was to just do whatever I can and hope for the best.

    Get them to pay upfront. Communicate to them the deadlines. If they don't get stuff to you(because they have a joke business). Its their problem. You got paid.
    Signature

    Do Good!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5085198].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RentItNow
    Thanks, guys! Using this advice already. A bit less of an issue with one of them because they missed their print deadline due to their inaction and since then have paid more attention to my emails.

    One thing I am trying to do is also put action items clearly marked and numbered in the emails but it still goes unnoticed. I think it is what michael said, its just their personality and I have to learn to just live with some of them or fire them as a client (which I have done with other businesses).
    Signature
    I have no agenda but to help those in the same situation. This I feel will pay the bills.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5096166].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author sandalwood
      I didn't do this neat trick. The credit belongs to a dear departed friend. He would send his procrastinating clients a mock Profit and Loss statement. W/o boring you to tears w/the details, he would make up a number on the loss side, highlight it and say something like,

      this is the amount you lost by not getting the ________ to me by _____________.

      I don't know if that'll work w/your clients but P&L examples are available online if you care to try it.

      My friend says it worked wonders for him.

      Just my 2¢...
      Signature
      Get 30% or More Retirement Income If you are serious about your retirement, you'll love this product.

      The Money Ferret Finance Article Directory
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5096396].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author RentItNow
        Originally Posted by sandalwood View Post

        I didn't do this neat trick. The credit belongs to a dear departed friend. He would send his procrastinating clients a mock Profit and Loss statement. W/o boring you to tears w/the details, he would make up a number on the loss side, highlight it and say something like,

        this is the amount you lost by not getting the ________ to me by _____________.

        I don't know if that'll work w/your clients but P&L examples are available online if you care to try it.

        My friend says it worked wonders for him.

        Just my 2¢...
        That's a great one, sandalwood. Most people I deal with are numbers people and I tend to talk to them in that language so this would be good. I guess I could also say you will be losing x customers per day that the data is not put onto your site, here is the analytics on it. Many ways to do that one. Thanks.
        Signature
        I have no agenda but to help those in the same situation. This I feel will pay the bills.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5096493].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author vpunch
    You could slays try finding a common ground the both of you have and build a professional relationship with them.
    Signature

    Jonathan Perry - VaultAffiliates.com Affiliate Manager

    TOP OFFERS - HIGHEST WEEKLY PAYOUTS - 24/7 SUPPORT

    PM Before Signing Up
    http://vaultaffiliates.com/sign_up.html

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5101414].message }}

Trending Topics