Comments on: Assessing the Need for a Client Meeting

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:37:51 +0000

Eileen, that's painful to read. Worse is you put time into someone who didn't value the skills or the time you'd bring to her projects. Shame on her! I love meeting clients, but I don't love wasting my time just to hear them complain about their finances. I had one potential client drag me two hours one way so he could brag about his business, his earnings, and his expansion - and then try to negotiate my rate for his books down to $10K for all three. Right. Next!

Kim, same here. I shlepped downtown (car ride, two trains and a 6-block hike each way) to meet with a "sure thing" client, only to find out when I got there the person referring me didn't realize they wanted an actuary to develop and teach their employee training programs, not a writer to write them. My carefully-developed pitch disintegrated in two minutes. Had I gotten the name of the woman I was to talk with upfront, I could've saved hours.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:53:51 +0000

This is a good topic. I've only had a handful of meetings with potential clients, but every one of them ended up being a complete waste of time.

I admit I'm partly to blame. These meetings took place early on when I was just starting out as a freelancer and didn't realize the importance of pre-qualifying clients.

I'm not totally against meetings, but it would take a lot to get me to one because my situation is complicated until August 10, 2010 (when my last baby goes off to pre-k *sniff*).

But even then I won't have time to waste. I'll certainly expect compensation for my time (I consider it a consultation).

By: Eileen

Eileen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:59:04 +0000

The last time I went to a meeting was about five years ago. I'd been to a local networking event, and a woman there said, "I really need you! You're just the writer I need." So, foolishly forgetting to ask a few basic questions, I schlepped 30 minutes across town for a meeting with her a few days later. She explained that she needed a press release, and that her corporate headquarters would do it, but they wanted to charge her $100 for it! Imagine the nerve of them! Did they think she was made of money?

I never forgot that lesson. So now I don't do meetings, period. But it's easy to stick to that policy, because now I specialize in a field where none of my clients are local. Occasionally, I'll pick up a little gig from my local networking days, but I still won't do meetings. They're just too much of a time suck.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:32:49 +0000

It does feel good to get dressed up and mingle among corporates sometimes, Susan. I agree the personal touch is important. I've just been in entirely too many wasted meetings. I love the phone conference among the various parties. It's a much better use of time.

By: Susan Johnston

Susan Johnston — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:25:59 +0000

I agree that you need to be picky about meeting with people. By the same token, sometimes it feels good to get out of the house and meet with people in person. You can often get a better sense of their needs that way and get to know them better as people. Thanks for the link, Lori!

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:13:08 +0000

Your line "I am less likely to agree to a meeting with a corporate client because most of those are power games" – is quite true. I won't say that's the case with the largest ones, but the middle market ones or emerging companies have met with me and then played the nickel-and-dime-the-writer game. It's why I lean toward phone or email instead. Unless you're handing me large files that can't be emailed or faxed, there's no need to meet. I'm happy to meet, but the economy of it for me has to make sense.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:38:39 +0000

First of all, I loathe the telephone. Most phone conversations are an utter waste of time. I want things via email -- that way it's in writing and there's proof.

It totally depends on the situation. I'm more likely to go in for meetings with non-profits, mom-and-pop businesses, and small historical societies. That way, I get a sense of the place and what they need. And yes, I do charge for meetings -- time, travel expenses, gas or train faire, etc.

I am less likely to agree to a meeting with a corporate client because most of those are power games. If I do, the fee's much higher.