tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146828060840285655.post2133388453905117667..comments2023-10-15T10:53:14.549-03:00Comments on Jake's Take: "Poor planning on your part..."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01701815231353263575noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146828060840285655.post-20218898701262933752010-06-07T16:38:28.878-03:002010-06-07T16:38:28.878-03:00Hey there, Sigrid--thanks for your comment. In par...Hey there, Sigrid--thanks for your comment. In particular, your penultimate sentence is right on target!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01701815231353263575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146828060840285655.post-58999402105604788712010-06-04T19:22:38.347-03:002010-06-04T19:22:38.347-03:00This is a great post, Jake. You made several excel...This is a great post, Jake. You made several excellent points. <br /><br />First and foremost, our goal is always to meet the need of the client, if possible. Second, the more excited or upset a client becomes, the more calm we have to be in order to serve as a balancing and reassuring force. Third, it is critical, as you pointed out, to determine which people are high maintenance. <br /><br />Some people are always in crisis mode. They are very demanding and want everything done yesterday. Other people have legitimate difficulties and have reached roadblocks that they can't surmount.<br /><br />Personally, although I understand and respect the dilemma of crisis-ridden clients, I try to limit my work with them. It's just too draining. But ordinarily, I find most people easy to work with, once I find out exactly what it is that they need.<br /><br />Thanks for the great advice. SigridSigrid Macdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17039046815905329266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146828060840285655.post-77465770992976935952010-05-22T14:38:39.558-03:002010-05-22T14:38:39.558-03:00Hey Valerie, thanks for chiming in. It can be agon...Hey Valerie, thanks for chiming in. It can be agonizing to admit that something can't be done. I had it happen this week, in fact, and what I did was suggest a halfway solution that WAS possible--which the client immediately said "Yes!" to.Jake Phttp://deardrfreelance.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146828060840285655.post-43751611357423831482010-05-21T10:48:57.561-03:002010-05-21T10:48:57.561-03:00Brilliant. I've delivered on what I was told w...Brilliant. I've delivered on what I was told were emergencies, only to watch them sit on someone's desk for 2 days. I don't mind coming through in a pinch, but I don't care to rush and postpone my own stuff when the "emergency" turns out to only be someone's histrionic style.<br /><br />The worst thing is when you do realize there isn't enough time to pull it off. You're right in that saying it ASAP is the way to go but I always get a pit in my stomach just the same. I feel like I should be able to do "anything" which is just ridiculous, of course.Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12998210733189467877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146828060840285655.post-2355488507348709272010-05-20T19:10:49.598-03:002010-05-20T19:10:49.598-03:00@Anon, that's a whole different kettle of fish...@Anon, that's a whole different kettle of fish. Might want to have a heart-to-heart conversation with those types of clients and how you can do a better job with more lead time. Then again, you can always cut 'em lose.<br /><br />@Stephanie--Yes, "unflappable"! And you're absolutely correct about the mindset of it. If you can keep your wits about you and deliver, that client will surely remember you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01701815231353263575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146828060840285655.post-16966604296532683652010-05-20T14:50:03.592-03:002010-05-20T14:50:03.592-03:00Great points, Jake! I've personally found that...Great points, Jake! I've personally found that so often, those "emergency" projects don't actually take that long. It's more about mindset. And it's amazing how much clients appreciate quick turnaround on something that might take you less than an hour. You're right — it builds loyalty. I'm surprised by how shocked clients are when I say, "No problem." Being an unflappable copywriter goes a long way. <br /><br />Good post.Stephaniehttp://theactivevoice.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146828060840285655.post-63165161106431438202010-05-20T14:30:09.184-03:002010-05-20T14:30:09.184-03:00I hate clients that are always pulling the "e...I hate clients that are always pulling the "emergency" card. I don't think they're always telling the truth!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com