Do You Make Your Clients Treat You as a Diva?

8 years ago

Nesha,

I guess it depends on your definition of a Diva.

Sometimes charging higher prices for custom work or extra high quality is a smart idea. It qualifies your audience (those who can pay) and allows the vendor to make more per sale by being selective. Trying to be everything to everybody and profit from it is very difficult.

Is that being a Diva? Is that playing hard to get? If so, then yes, being a Diva can work for the right kind of product or service provider. But of course, you must "have the meats" (like Arby's).

Steve

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neshaword

8 years ago

Originally Posted by Steve B

Nesha,

I guess it depends on your definition of a Diva.

Sometimes charging higher prices for custom work or extra high quality is a smart idea. It qualifies your audience (those who can pay) and allows the vendor to make more per sale by being selective. Trying to be everything to everybody and profit from it is very difficult.

Is that being a Diva? Is that playing hard to get? If so, then yes, being a Diva can work for the right kind of product or service provider. But of course, you must "have the meats" (like Arby's).

Steve

Excellent point Steve. Sometimes I need to take care of my basic freelance survival by drawing a red line I simply can't cross. If a client's gonna treat the very minimum of my demands and expectations as a Diva syndrome, then I definitely don't need his/her project.

On the other hand, you can't make a credible threat with an empty gun. Without quality of services or some other competitive advantage, you simply don't have the right to request.

Thx.
N

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gingerninjas

8 years ago

Originally Posted by neshaword

OK, let's hear it from Divas of the IM world. How it feels to be a Diva? Is playing hard to get a brilliant or a business suicide strategy?

Here is the definition of a Diva:

Noun
a celebrated female opera singer.
a famous female singer of popular music "a pop diva"

Urban Dictionary definitions
a woman regarded as temperamental or haughty.
Female version of a hustler
The definition of DIVA is "Talented, but arrogant, female perform

Based on these definitions I would say that the talent element of the discussion is something to be promoting, however, the challenging and temperamental part I don't think is a great idea if you are looking to establish long-standing business relationships.

While I think what the author is trying to discuss is an interesting point, I do thing you man meet half way and have sass and your own personality (after all we are not robots) however you do need to be respectful of your client's needs as they are after all paying for a service from you.

While I must admit at times I can have an attitude and know exactly what I want, my clients know that this trait is to benefit their business and I am 'straight down the line'.

In short, perhaps a sprinkling of diva is ok, however, it needs to be mixed with equal parts respect, honesty, creativity, intelligence and a whole lot of knowledge to back it all up.

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neshaword

8 years ago

Agree. Also like the point, which includes two essential elements talent + temperament.

Honestly, I both admire and envy Joanne Wiebe. She's a Diva. She can afford this luxury. At the same time, I can't stop thinking what was the ultimate price she had to pay for her Diva attitude.

Also, I don't think that playing Diva games is a long term solution. Sometimes, clients just wanna get the job done quickly and efficiently with no extra drama. When they need a Diva element they go to the movies or buy a ticket for some music event or something.

Originally Posted by gingerninjas

Here is the definition of a Diva:

Noun
a celebrated female opera singer.
a famous female singer of popular music "a pop diva"

Urban Dictionary definitions
a woman regarded as temperamental or haughty.
Female version of a hustler
The definition of DIVA is "Talented, but arrogant, female perform

Based on these definitions I would say that the talent element of the discussion is something to be promoting, however, the challenging and temperamental part I don't think is a great idea if you are looking to establish long-standing business relationships.

While I think what the author is trying to discuss is an interesting point, I do thing you man meet half way and have sass and your own personality (after all we are not robots) however you do need to be respectful of your client's needs as they are after all paying for a service from you.

While I must admit at times I can have an attitude and know exactly what I want, my clients know that this trait is to benefit their business and I am 'straight down the line'.

In short, perhaps a sprinkling of diva is ok, however, it needs to be mixed with equal parts respect, honesty, creativity, intelligence and a whole lot of knowledge to back it all up.

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gingerninjas

8 years ago

Originally Posted by neshaword

Agree. Also like the point, which includes two essential elements talent + temperament.

Honestly, I both admire and envy Joanne Wiebe. She's a Diva. She can afford this luxury. At the same time, I can't stop thinking what was the ultimate price she had to pay for her Diva attitude.

Also, I don't think that playing Diva games is a long term solution. Sometimes, clients just wanna get the job done quickly and efficiently with no extra drama. When they need a Diva element they go to the movies or buy a ticket for some music event or something.

Yep, honestly if people want a show they can turn on the TV.

While I love watching the circus of Diva's it is usually flash in the pan sort of stuff and I am after more of a long term arrangement with my clients.

I like to be open, honest and direct to my clients, while some of them are drama queens themselves I avoid this approach at all costs. It's really not my style, but there are certainly people out there that have made a career out of being a diva.

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neshaword

8 years ago

Drama queens, lol. Like it. We should include more than one category:
-Divas
-Drama queens
-next please
This was great, lol. Thx.

Originally Posted by gingerninjas

Yep, honestly if people want a show they can turn on the TV.

While I love watching the circus of Diva's it is usually flash in the pan sort of stuff and I am after more of a long term arrangement with my clients.

I like to be open, honest and direct to my clients, while some of them are drama queens themselves I avoid this approach at all costs. It's really not my style, but there are certainly people out there that have made a career out of being a diva.

Thanks

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George Schwab

8 years ago

RE: "In short, perhaps a sprinkling of diva is ok, however, it needs to be mixed with equal parts respect, honesty, creativity, intelligence and a whole lot of knowledge to back it all up."

yeah! i think there is big difference between if THEY make you a Diva, or you
declare yourself to be one.

If option A happens, go all in, why not? Its fun to play the game of becoming
a local celebrity because of the respect you get with it, if you earned it, its all good.

Thats what the consul on the beach also said, he said "we have the charisma of looking more important than we really are" but lets enjoy while it lasts. I agree,
its nice and it feels good, just dont be a sucker and start believing your own image
created by people that are too easy to impress. Then you never will be sorry when
youth & fame starts fading away one day. Its like the beauty of young girls, it
goes away one day much too soon.

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neshaword

8 years ago

Lol, I really like this point about the self-proclaimed Divas. This attitude can have both tragic and comic business consequences.

Thx.

Originally Posted by George Schwab

RE: "In short, perhaps a sprinkling of diva is ok, however, it needs to be mixed with equal parts respect, honesty, creativity, intelligence and a whole lot of knowledge to back it all up."

yeah! i think there is big difference between if THEY make you a Diva, or you
declare yourself to be one.

If option A happens, go all in, why not? Its fun to play the game of becoming
a local celebrity because of the respect you get with it, if you earned it, its all good.

Thats what the consul on the beach also said, he said "we have the charisma of looking more important than we really are" but lets enjoy while it lasts. I agree,
its nice and it feels good, just dont be a sucker and start believing your own image
created by people that are too easy to impress. Then you never will be sorry when
youth & fame starts fading away one day. Its like the beauty of young girls, it
goes away one day much too soon.

Thanks

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MrFume

8 years ago

In terms of providing an exclusive service, the 'diva' approach is really just knowing your own value, people are so used to the idea of trying to convince others that they have something valuable to offer that this may seem alien. But for someone who is experienced and who does not need to prove themselves, say you have been successful for quite a while, why should you care what people think, why should you bow and scrape to people? It makes sense right? For people who do not need your custom, it is natural to want to choose who you work with, who you associate with-this is not being a 'Diva' it is simply knowing your own value.

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neshaword

8 years ago

To "simply know your own value," that's great MrFume. Without recognition and appreciation what are you than a ridiculous self-proclaimed Diva? Indeed. Thx.

Originally Posted by MrFume

In terms of providing an exclusive service, the 'diva' approach is really just knowing your own value, people are so used to the idea of trying to convince others that they have something valuable to offer that this may seem alien. But for someone who is experienced and who does not need to prove themselves, say you have been successful for quite a while, why should you care what people think, why should you bow and scrape to people? It makes sense right? For people who do not need your custom, it is natural to want to choose who you work with, who you associate with-this is not being a 'Diva' it is simply knowing your own value.

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Regional Warrior

8 years ago

Mods please move this to right forum as in Offline ( Reason) as she talks about customers in such a way that could not fit the MMO niche

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BigFrank

Banned 8 years ago

I insist that my clients treat me as the god I am.

Cheers. - Frank

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Regional Warrior 8 years ago

[DELETED]

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George Schwab 8 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

I insist that my clients treat me as the god I am.

Cheers. - Frank

hahahahahahaha, i spilled my coffee man

well if you insist you also should enforce

can you do thunder and lightning?
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- neshaword 8 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by George Schwab
  
  hahahahahahaha, i spilled my coffee man
  
  well if you insist you also should enforce
  
  can you do thunder and lightning?
  
  Bruce Almighty Official Trailer (2003) - YouTube
  
  Thanks
  
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- BigFrank Banned 8 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by George Schwab
  
  can you do thunder and lightning?
  
  Only after chili and beer for lunch.
  
  Cheers. - Frank
  
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  2 replies
  
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  neshaword 8 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by BigFrank
  
  Only after chili and beer for lunch.
  
  Cheers. - Frank
  
  LOL=)
  
  Frank(ie) goes to Hollywood
  
  Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax (Laser Version)...
  
  Thanks
  
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  George Schwab 8 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by BigFrank
  
  Only after chili and beer for lunch.
  
  Cheers. - Frank
  
  sounds somehow familiar to me...
  
  however when i need the lightning strike do stuff on first impact
  
  i replace the beer with sauvignon blanc, Margaret River or Marlborough sounds, kiwi island
  
  makes just a bigger kaboom!
  
  one day you should come over mate, we do b52's!
  
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marciayudkin

8 years ago

Mods please move this to right forum as in Offline ( Reason) as she talks about customers in such a way that could not fit the MMO niche

What???

There are too many successful online marketers who have a "diva" type of business to count. Dan Kennedy, Perry Marshall... I could go on and on. These people follow many of the rules Joanna outlines, such as being very inaccessible, forcing clients onto waiting lists, requiring demanding terms of service, etc.

True, these don't fit a beginner. But not all of us here are beginners.

If I've misunderstood your comment, then please explain.

Marcia Yudkin

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PLR Basket

8 years ago

I realized in the years that I've been in business that some people will not respect you if you make yourself to available to them. Also, many people have been burned by cheap content providers and are weary of cheap content providers.

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neshaword

8 years ago

Originally Posted by PLR Basket

I realized in the years that I've been in business that some people will not respect you if you make yourself to available to them. Also, many people have been burned by cheap content providers and are weary of cheap content providers.

It is a thin line between failure and success here. I don't play hard to get, but I honestly believe in my right to fight for basic business survival and some minimal decent working conditions. Sometimes, it works. Sometimes, I ask myself, what just happened? Why did I lose this client? Such a heartless game of nerves, or maybe I'm just exaggerating things. Thx. N

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