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Pushing Client To Move His Ass...

by JJOrana
12 replies
Hey folks.

If you've been in consulting business for several years you know that there's a bottle neck in this business.

Bottle neck is something that causes the delay of transaction or for project to be completed.

This can be...

- Contract signing
- Initial design comps approval
- Submitting their web content or logos
- Appointments
- Billing etc.

Now my question to those who are TRULY in this business, what are your strategies to keep then moving?

I'll be honest, the only thing I can think of and what we've been doing calling and emailing them.

Any other ideas?
#client #move #pushing
  • Profile picture of the author Curtez Riggs
    Echosign: create a widget on website initiate contracts live on location
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    These three tools have worked wonders for my business!
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    • Profile picture of the author 1960Texan
      Thanks for the resources, I'm signing up for Freshbooks today.

      Will
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  • Profile picture of the author TE2
    Originally Posted by JJOrana View Post

    Hey folks.

    If you've been in consulting business for several years you know that there's a bottle neck in this business.

    Bottle neck is something that causes the delay of transaction or for project to be completed.

    This can be...

    - Contract signing
    - Initial design comps approval
    - Submitting their web content or logos
    - Appointments
    - Billing etc.

    Now my question to those who are TRULY in this business, what are your strategies to keep then moving?

    I'll be honest, the only thing I can think of and what we've been doing calling and emailing them.

    Any other ideas?
    My contract states project milestone dates and when customer materials and payments are due.

    It also has a has a clause that states that "complete" payment (the unpaid balance) is due upon delivery or on "X' date, whichever comes first. "X" date is always 30 days after the completion/delivery date ETA.

    Regards,

    John
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    • Profile picture of the author Jason Anderson
      Originally Posted by TE2 View Post


      It also has a has a clause that states that "complete" payment (the unpaid balance) is due upon delivery or on "X' date, whichever comes first. "X" date is always 30 days after the completion/delivery date ETA.
      That's a good one John. Nice.

      I like that clause because it's also something that's easy on your client when they are signing the contract. The balance due is demanded right away. They know the time frame of the expected job for completion and they know when to budget for the final payment due.

      Makes it real easy to do business.
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      Jason Anderson
      Promotional Video Production - Learn how to get a FREE Custom Video with Professional Voice Over Every Month

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  • Profile picture of the author amylimcd
    For small business owners, they are thinking so much about their every day business issues that marketing projects often get put on hold or on the back burner.

    But if you can give them some information that reminds them about the potential ROI (return on investment) of what they started when they purchased your service, you can get them to move faster.

    For example, when sending your reminder email. . . you might want to start with sending them an article link about how whatever service your doing has created revenue increases or other benefits to others . . .

    Dear Jack-

    Since we are working on your Facebook Fanpage, I thought you might find this article interesting- it is about a business that has increased their sales 30% through their Facebook Fanpage. . . .

    We need to get yours completed so you can start using it to get more customers- can you send me your approval of the last draft or provide some comments. . .

    __

    Amy
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  • Profile picture of the author DoktorSteper
    Social networking is the solution.
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    • Profile picture of the author TE2
      I would be remiss if I didn't add a couple points:
      1. If you properly sell the benefits of your service, you won't have a problem with clients dragging their feet.
      2. Get the right clients. If you did point 1, then you will have a client who is excited about seeing the project completed.
      3. Yes, every now and then a stinker gets in and that's what the clause is for. It helps set the tone for expectations of both parties and also covers your assets.
      Regards,

      John
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  • Profile picture of the author JJOrana
    So John, you're saying that we should bill the client even though the project is not completed?
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  • Profile picture of the author dgridley
    The biggest bottleneck I've run into is ignorance. Most people only have a general idea of what they want and no idea how it's accomplished so it's a matter of keeping them informed and staying in touch in my experience. It's often not deliberate on their part, they just have no idea what's actually required to complete the project at hand.

    Have set times when certain things are to be done and paid for.
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    • Profile picture of the author Russell Hall
      Originally Posted by dgridley View Post

      The biggest bottleneck I've run into is ignorance. Most people only have a general idea of what they want and no idea how it's accomplished so it's a matter of keeping them informed and staying in touch in my experience. It's often not deliberate on their part, they just have no idea what's actually required to complete the project at hand.

      Have set times when certain things are to be done and paid for.
      That's a great point dgridley. That they're not moving forward because they really don't yet "get it". Once the penny drops so to speak then they'll be eager to move forward provided that we've done our job in building rapport and not overwhelming them with tech-talk.

      Sure business owners are busy, but they'll also put their online marketing into high priority once they understand what it can do for them and how they can utilize and measure it without it costing an arm and a leg (comparatively speaking.... a whole lot less than all the other alternatives they've tried.... including "waiting" for more customers to drop by).

      Cheers,
      Russell
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      Mvlti svnt vocati, pavci vero electi - Many are called [but] few are chosen

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  • Profile picture of the author TimCastleman
    I give them a deadline on the contract and follow up via phone call if it gets close.

    The other thing I do is drop by with the contract if I'm in the neighborhood.

    Oh want to avoid it all together?

    Take the contract with you to the meeting and fill it out there.

    Tim
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    This is what we usually do with customers with project deadlines in contract:

    1 - Personal contact over phone or Skype when they delay something vital for us,
    2 - Define new date to finish project to X days later,

    3 - If they keep delaying it... I just send them the final invoice REMINDING them they'll have to pay separately for the rest of work PLUS waiting for us to be free to do it.

    Thats when they phone us asking for a new (and FREE) project delay and start sending all the material. Sometimes we get some angry phone calls but usually these come from the tormentors, the ones always pushing limits with us, so better be ready to give them a short and polite "NO, you can't have this fir free".

    Some people just keep pushing the limits, and they need to be stopped.
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    People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
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