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Being "everything" to the client

by mrjosco
7 replies
I started my offline business because I lost my job. Not really the best way to start - as I would of preferred to have saved up some capital and started slowly.

Because of my 'situation', I have made choices that are BAD choices. Thankfully, I think I am learning from them. I have discussed some of those other mistakes - such as accepting too much work for too little. One of the other mistakes I made is to be a 'yes' man.

When they ask, "can you do this service?" I say "Yes, I can!" I figured I would just outsource it and charge a little extra for myself. Heck, I need the money, right?

This has happened twice when my buying clients ask, "Can you also do logo design?". I said yes and charged them a fair price -but boy, WHAT a headache!

I ordered a logo from a warrior here (Doctor Logo) and he did an AMAZING JOB; but being a non-designer and dealing with the annoying nature of design clients has really taken away from my core business. I have spent this entire week doing stupid and mundane 'tweaks' to a logo. These tweaks are infinite and never ending.

With the website I had established myself as an authority. So when they asked to do something that did not make sense I was able to tell them, "We can do that - but I don't suggested it for these reasons" - and they listened.

What do you more experienced guys do when someone asks if you provide a service that isn't part of your core business? Do you just say 'Yes" and outsource it for a profit and deal with the headache?

I am thinking of finding a local graphic designer that I can send clients to for a cut. The client will see them as a 'separate' expert and let the graphic designer deal with graphic design headaches so I can focus on my own headaches!
#client
  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Originally Posted by mrjosco View Post

    I started my offline business because I lost my job. Not really the best way to start - as I would of preferred to have saved up some capital and started slowly.

    Because of my 'situation', I have made choices that are BAD choices. Thankfully, I think I am learning from them. I have discussed some of those other mistakes - such as accepting too much work for too little. One of the other mistakes I made is to be a 'yes' man.

    When they ask, "can you do this service?" I say "Yes, I can!" I figured I would just outsource it and charge a little extra for myself. Heck, I need the money, right?

    This has happened twice when my buying clients ask, "Can you also do logo design?". I said yes and charged them a fair price -but boy, WHAT a headache!

    I ordered a logo from a warrior here (Doctor Logo) and he did an AMAZING JOB; but being a non-designer and dealing with the annoying nature of design clients has really taken away from my core business. I have spent this entire week doing stupid and mundane 'tweaks' to a logo. These tweaks are infinite and never ending.

    With the website I had established myself as an authority. So when they asked to do something that did not make sense I was able to tell them, "We can do that - but I don't suggested it for these reasons" - and they listened.

    What do you more experienced guys do when someone asks if you provide a service that isn't part of your core business? Do you just say 'Yes" and outsource it for a profit and deal with the headache?

    I am thinking of finding a local graphic designer that I can send clients to for a cut. The client will see them as a 'separate' expert and let the graphic designer deal with graphic design headaches so I can focus on my own headaches!
    I get those requests often. I always tell them that I'm not the guy for that. If I can recommend someone, I will.

    If I were in your position, I might think differently. But I'm a expert in a very narrow field of expertise. Giving advice outside of that area is not being of service to my clients...or prospects.
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    • Profile picture of the author Anthem40
      I would suggest setting up referral agreements between you and anyone you would sub out to. Just have the contractor throw you a bit of cash if that is the agreement and send the client to them.

      Those things are more of a hassle than what it is worth by saying, "yeah I can do that for you, too".
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      • Profile picture of the author FF
        Originally Posted by Anthem40 View Post

        I would suggest setting up referral agreements between you and anyone you would sub out to. Just have the contractor throw you a bit of cash if that is the agreement and send the client to them.

        Those things are more of a hassle than what it is worth by saying, "yeah I can do that for you, too".
        I agree 100%. You need to have a Rolodex of people that offer services that relate to yours. If they ask you for something that relates to your service and you don't have anyone. What I do is find that person that can do what the client wants and work something out with them.
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        • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
          Originally Posted by Anthem40 View Post

          I would suggest setting up referral agreements between you and anyone you would sub out to. Just have the contractor throw you a bit of cash if that is the agreement and send the client to them.
          Originally Posted by FF View Post

          I agree 100%. You need to have a Rolodex of people that offer services that relate to yours. If they ask you for something that relates to your service and you don't have anyone. What I do is find that person that can do what the client wants and work something out with them.

          Yes. Finding or recommending someone who can do the work is a
          whole lot less work than taking responsibility for getting it done
          yourself.

          The other possibility is finding someone who has a substantial operation
          where they have a large outsourcing team and doing a deal with them

          There are a few people like that in the offline niche.

          Kindest regards,
          Andrew Cavanagh
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  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    You have to limit the number of changes they can make in a written agreement. After that they pay more. Without it, you'll be making "tweaks" for the rest of your life.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Unless you KNOW someone who can definitely do a good job and then you can outsource it, I recommend not accepting the job. It's more of a headache than it's worth.
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  • Profile picture of the author J R Salem
    Find a good team to handle those requests.

    However if the project management of these requests is what is causing the issues, then you are better off just telling them you don't do it.

    Better yet, you are better off finding someone who focuses on this, sending them the business, and in return ask them to send you clients who need YOUR target services.
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