Fighting the Losing Battle
Just came across a brand-new client. In the short phone conversation we had, I managed to impress him with how flexible I was (he even said, “You sound very easy to work with”) and how qualified I was to handle his project. He did have one thing standing in the way, however. He was interviewing a designer in a few days, and that designer had said he has a writer he usually works with, so the client said he would have to check with the designer to make sure he doesn’t mind meeting with me in the same room. So guess what? An hour later, the client said that he didn’t need me after all (for this project – he hinted at others). The problem is if he likes this current writer, I could very well be forgotten. It’s a shame, because I took the time to research his company and I have experience in his industry. Does the other writer? It’s pretty unlikely, given that the designer is pushing hard for the assignment and grabbed the first available writer.
So what could I have done differently? In this case, probably not much. I did one thing – I left the door open for future work by being professional and cordial. I did manage to guide the client at one point because he was unsure of how to proceed and if it would be possible to work with a designer and a writer who didn’t know each other. I assured him that it happens all the time.
Maybe you see the underlying problem here already. The client was allowing one freelancer to dictate the terms of their arrangement. Maybe he’s fine with that, but I can’t really see it turning out well for him. While freelancers should guide unsure clients whenever they can, and while I believe we should own our work process, we should not say “No, I can’t work with that person because I only work with this person.” Sorry – if you’re an employer and you allow that much control over your business process, that’s just scary.
I’ll hear from him again. How do I know? Because this man is a business owner. He didn’t get that way by allowing people to run roughshod over him. This freelancer may have asserted himself this time and won the assignment, but I suspect that while he may be strong in design, he could be very weak in writing. The client will not fork over good money for mediocre copy. But even if the writer is knowledgeable in this industry, I for one would have a sour taste should a designer start a project by being unwilling to do the client’s bidding. I wanted to ask the client if he often let outsiders dictate his business decisions, but I let it go. There’s just no nice way to put that. And it’s not my place. Besides, it makes me look like the unreasonable one.
So I thanked him and let him know I’d be happy to help in any capacity on this and any other project. It was the best way to handle a delicate, unlikely position, don’t you think?
It’s funny, when my sister-in-law was buying her current home, she ran into a weird, somewhat related problem with her realtor and her mortgage guy. Evidently, they had some long-standing feud going on, and they positively refused to communicate with one another. Faxes mysteriously disappeared, contracts never showed up, all in all it was a real treat, and I can tell you right now that neither of them will ever get any kind of referral from anyone in our family EVER. Business is business, and you need to behave like a business person in order to succeed. Lori, you’ve clearly got the hang of that, but it looks like some clients may still need a little work.
kk
It’s always a bad sign when a freelancer can’t be professional enough to work with other freelancers under a single client. I have a wonderful client who works with many freelance writers and they keep coming back to me because they know I can handle the collaboration professionally.
I suspect this client will return to you when he discovers that he should have trusted his gut. And to be sure, you should follow up in a couple of weeks (or whatever the length of the project) to see how everything went and make sure he has everything he needs.
One rule I find myself fighting but inevitably fall back on is ALWAYS be the professional. (But you knew that!)
-Jess
another approach might be to team with a designer so you too can offer both… this is one of those ideas I’ve never acted on… I don’t like working with most designers, but…
A
http://www.thegoldenpencil.com
Did that, Anne. Offered that first, then he said, “That’s what the designer said. Would you work with him?” Sure!
It’s a head-scratcher, for sure.
Great diplomatic way of handling it.
When the original writer screws up — you’ll be there to pick up the pieces.
With an additional “rush” fee.
Don’t you hate it when you put all kinds of time and effort into winning a client, you’re so close you can taste it and then BAM! they go with someone else? Usually, I lose out on an assignment because someone undercuts my price. I never fall for the “We’re really impressed with your work but we’ve got offers that are half your price” ploy. Good for you for remaining so professional. I too am confident you’ll hear from this particular businessperson again.