Comments on: Vet Your Clients

By: Hoodia Diet

Hoodia Diet — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:40:03 +0000

Choosing your clients carefully is one of the best pieces of advice you could give anyone, don't take every job be a little picky, and pace yourself.

By: Tony Enclosure

Tony Enclosure — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:25:37 +0000

What frustrates me is when a client comes on and wants a price for your service or product, then you quote and they contact you asking for an urgent lead time, so you give them a lead time and then it takes them a further 4 weeks to get the order to you, but they chase the lead time you gave them.

I've had this far too many times, I've even got to the stage of winning tenders and submitting a proforma invoice for first order, then when you call the client they do not return your calls, they don't answer when you call their mobile, they never respond to emails...it's hard but you have to move one.

I could name and shame tonnes of businesses who use these business practices - but it is very unprofessional!

Also you need to check the credit rating of new businesses, 1 business in the UK contacted and refused point blank to pay for the product up front as we had never dealt with them before. We did a credit chaeck and found them NOT credit worthy. The client was trying to bulldoze us in to sending the goods without an order and on poor credit ratings - we said thanks for the enquiry and good bye.

By: sbspalding

sbspalding — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:55:52 +0000

Sometimes you have to do just that, just make sure that those jobs are significant ( and significantly different enough ) to make a difference.

By: Fred@Sandy UT Real Estate

Fred@Sandy UT Real Estate — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:50:49 +0000

Great post! I'm glad that I found your side.. I really need the information that I found here.

By: CD Junior

CD Junior — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:11:16 +0000

My biggest problem is taking on sites that I want to use to build my portfolion that are not going to pay well.

By: sbspalding

sbspalding — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:43:12 +0000

1. I think we still do, in fact, I think it's now that we have to make that choice extremely clear. If your work speaks for itself (which yours does), and people know you're picky (and worth dealing with), you will have a lot easier time picking your own terms.

2. I'd trust those instincts Ophelia, I've found they tend to lead you in the right direction.

Pleasure as always.

By: sbspalding

sbspalding — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:41:33 +0000

Exactly, there is no point in working on your own if you're going to hate it as much as you do your day job. Thanks for dropping in mate.

By: micro bikini

micro bikini — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:54:18 +0000

Good post. I'm self-employed and like what you're doing here.

Keep it up.

By: ophelia_chong

ophelia_chong — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:52:52 +0000

Two Part Comment:
#1 In these economic times, do we have a choice?

#2 I have turned down more work this year than any other. Why? Because I know I can only do so much, I finally learned the word “No”, and I listen to my instincts when I feel it will not turn out well for both parties . However there is a nagging voice that says, take it, you can save the money for bad times.
Sigh.

By: Ryan Roberts

Ryan Roberts — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:07:47 +0000

Great post Steve…likewise “ask yourself whether you can see yourself pouring your blood, sweat and effort into it.” is probably the first thing I look at when working on a project. If I don't love it more than the client, there is no way ill work on it. My father always said…”I don't like working for money, let alone free…so I mind as well do what I love.”