Freaking Hate Clients

It's very hard for sales people to cut the chord It's easy for me to just "end it", but then again I am not the one closing the deals heh
Our clients keep asking for Josh all the time. It's too funny

 

That's a huge (and unexpected) advantage of having a business partner. You can play good cop bad cop (or good cop, complete pushover cop as we are playing at the moment the routine works for almost everything with almost everyone.

 

ROFL

 

In 2001, I had some problems with clients paying. I added an extra $25 on top of my hourly fee, and it seemed to work, that I started attracting more professional clients... ones that don't mind paying.

For new clients, I either ask that they give me a valid credit card number, or pay at least half upfront. If they won't be paying by credit card, then I only accept money orders for the first six months. After six months, and they have a history with me, then I will accept their checks.

I haven't had any more problems.

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan

PS
I also LIKE all of my clients. They are all great people... except for the few deadbeats I had to get rid of...

I also often interview potential clients by telephone. If I feel someone is going to be more trouble than they are worth, I tell them I don't want to work for them.

 

I never have phone contact with my clients - only email or IM - as they are scattered all over the globe.

 

If you ever what to get rid of that client I will take em'

 

Really irritating clients are ones who write and ask only about rates. Then they write again and ask if I accept payment other than thru Paypal. Then they write again and ask what topics "I prefer writing about". (I can and do write about anything and everything). Then they disappear into cyberspace.

And then there are the delightful ones who tell me the type of topic they need, let me handle it from any angle, pay promptly and tell me how satisfied they are with my work.

 

They aren't clients then, just potential clients. It shouldn't be irritating to you if people want to know how much you charge and how you like to get paid. No crime in that!

I have been looking for writers lately myself. For certain topics I would like to hire people that either have an expertise or interest in the area. From personal experience I think that if someone has a true interest in something it really comes across in the piece. It's really irritating when someone says they can write about anything. If they say that then I probably won't hire them. If they say something like, "I have written many articles about [subject]. I also have experience as a [occupation] and I enjoy [interest or hobby]." then I will strongly consider it if we have a match.

 

Several months ago, I was asked if I would write about various aspects of funerals. This is not my first choice of a topic to research. Yet I feel a good writer should have the ability to make ANY topic interesting and took on this project as a challenge. At first I was squeamish about digging into writing about "death". Yet - as I researched - I found the different aspects of funerals very interesting and lost my squeamish attitude. I also learned a few things to improve my attitude as death is inevitable and something we all must face sooner or later in our own families.

The bottom line is I wrote a number of articles to the client's complete satisfaction. And feel good about myself to see that I CAN write about anything and do it well.

To be a successful writer, you cannot pick and choose as that is extremely self-limiting. Also researching and writing about new topics is a learning experience and I enjoy the continuous learning process.

 

I agree that a good writer can write about any subject (topics can be researched), but it is undeniable that experience or interest in something comes through.

I'm not saying that you should only offer to write about topics where you have experience/interest. Sometimes that is what someone is looking for though. If someone asks you about your experience, knowledge, interest, etc., why don't you just be honest with them and tell them? You can also tell them that you do write about almost any subject and give them your pitch.

So, it's not really a matter of you picking and choosing what you write as much as it's a matter of them choosing you for a particular project. If I ask someone if they have an interest or experience in a certain subject and they say yes, how am I supposed to know that they aren't just trying to get the work. If I am specifically looking for someone with life experience in something it is for a reason. I don't require that, but it's something I want for certain pieces. Can you see where I am coming from with that?

 

If you have a specific topic you are looking for, why not out and out state it? Between my husband and myself, we have many interests on many levels. For instance, I am fascinated with Victorian England. Read about it whenever I can. I am also interested in real estate and have some experience buying and selling my own homes over years. VE is a passion, real estate an interest. If I were responding to your question, how would you expect me to rate these two (of many) topics? I am also fascinated with the Civil War, etc. etc. etc. I think you are asking your question somewhat backwards.

 

Amber said:

The bad part is they disappear after you spending your time on them. Why not answer these questions through an autoresponder series, and that way you can offer more information on these topics and follow-up with them. It might help you close a few of these leads.

MattL said:

In 1997 (the report that won me my first paying customer) was about how to evaluate a business. I didn't know anything about it. I borrowed 8 books from the public library written by brokers who do this for a living. I studied everything I could find online about the topic. Three months later after I had digested what I learned, I wrote my 10 page report. Then I had it reviewed by three business brokers, two accountants and one lawyer who all gave me positive feedback. After some minor revisions a high profile business leader was one of the people who bought it. He liked it so much that he wanted to help me sell it. It launched my career as a business web developer. People understood that I knew the value of a business and knew how to build websites.

I've been working within this niche ever since...

I think it is safe to assume that anyone of average intelligence can research any given topic and write a report that lends credibility to to the publishing source.

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan

 

Steve, I think your autoresponder suggestion is an excellent idea. Thankx...

 

BTW (By the way)

I said:

That is a reflection on my intelligence level, Amber and not yours. I maintain I've never been the brightest crayon in the package, and fully expect it would not take you near as long to write a credible report.

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan

 

This is why I don't do any client work anymore. Even for good money. It's just not worth it to me. I can make money on my own without answering dumb ass questions or working to complete idiotic requests.

 

labrocca said:

How do you make a living online? I'd be interested in hearing your story.

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan

 

So would I..........

 

I think you may have missed my point. Of course any somewhat intelligent writer can write about anything after doing research on the subject. However, that is such a blanket statement it doesn't do a very good job of selling me when I specifically ask about experience and interest.

 

Because if I don't know someone, how am I to know that they won't just regurgitate what I tell them? I would do that if I am already working with someone and we have a relationship, but not when I am looking for specific experience/interest don't know them yet.

See, it wasn't that hard was it?

Honestly

How is asking an open ended question backwards?

 

Are you ever going to state what topics you want ANYONE to write about? I'm sure a number of people - including myself - are curious after all this writing which says - in effect - nothing.

Potential clients write to ask me if I can/will write about a specific topic. In one instance, it was not within my area of expertise, I did not think we could do a good job for him and I politely declined. My personal and professional ethics are such that if I feel I would not be pleased to be known as the writer of an article, I do not write it!