Working on a project now with a regular client. In the past, I’ve had zero problems interpreting what they want/how they want it. Perhaps I’m tired, old, or some other form of out-of-it, for this time I’m just not getting it.
They’re kind enough not to say so, but multiple revisions later, it’s obvious we’re not communicating effectively this time around. Maybe it’s because I’m handling more than one project at a time for them – things are easy to confuse in that situation, no? But here’s how I plan to tackle the problem:
– Use the tape recorder. It’s the surest thing to just writing furiously as someone calls with a brain dump. I can keep my hands free, my mind engaged, and be able to ask the relevant questions.
– Ask more relevant questions. I realized as I started putting together one of the smaller items that perhaps I’m failing because the basic info is missing. So I’ve gathered a list of things I need to deliver this project correctly today. That should cut us down by about three revisions.
– Get ALL information, including main purpose/message of the project. I got halfway through one project when it was mentioned that the focus should also be on Y as well as X. While that would’ve been good of them to mention at the outset, I’ll blame myself for not asking.
– Work on one project at a time. I love the pile of projects, but when I’m working on one, I have to resist the urge to leap back to the last one or two and answer revision questions. Finish what’s in front of me before I lose my way in a maze of corrections/edits/revisions/first drafts.
– Stop trying so hard. Because I think this client hung the moon, I’m bending over backwards to meet their fast deadlines. I think the better approach would be to prioritize quickly, work on most urgent first, then work down the list. It’s so simple, it might work.
How about you? How do you solve the communication problems?
I’m the same way in that I find it difficult to concentrate on one project at a time. I like to spice things up by going back and forth, but really, it just eats up more time, settling into one project and then another.
I repeat back everything a client says to me on the phone, so that I know my notes are clear. I do the same thing with email, too: I’ll say, Just so I know what exactly to deliver, I’m going to reiterate your outline… That way I know what I’m doing, and they know how much detail they’ve given me. This could also be written into a work agreement or contract, that way they know exactly how much info they have or haven’t given.
I like your idea about the recorder, I think I’ll try that!
I LOVE my little recorder, Amanda! I just bought an Olympus digital recorder, and it’s so simple to use and simple to hook up to the phone! I have an older Radio Shack phone recorder adapter with two plugs. Well, the recorder has one. But luckily, plugging in one is all it takes for the new recorder to work. AMEN!
I was going to give the same suggestion that Amanda had about emailing (great minds…) The other day I had an editor leave me a voice message, then follow-up with an email outlining what she needed. That way I had a paper trail of her thought process. I think she’s going to be one of my faves!