Comments on: The Makings of a Bad Client https://smbconsultinginc.com/2008/04/05/the-makings-of-a-bad-client/ Better Marketing | Better Results Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:36:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 By: Michael A. Brown https://smbconsultinginc.com/2008/04/05/the-makings-of-a-bad-client/#comment-109 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:36:00 +0000 http://smbconsultinginc.com/blog/marketing/the-makings-of-a-bad-client/#comment-109 Hi Roger! Good post and hooray for you for nailing the “bad client” thing three years into your business.

In the 22 years of my practice, I have had to “turn ’em down” several times … most recently a man from Seattle. Here’s the sound track:

Man: “I understand you do marketing and sales training.”
Me: “I do indeed sir. How can I help you?”
Man: “How much is it?”
Me: “Because all our work is 100% custom, tell me what you have in mind and we’ll craft the best approach for you.”
Man: “I just need a ballpark figure.”
Me (already knowing this is going nowhere): “For starters, is this consumer telemarketing or business to business? I do the latter. Is it marketing, sales, or customer service? How many people?”
Man: “You’re pulling my chain dude. I just need a number I can use as a guide.”
Me: “I don’t see a good business fit here, so I respectfully decline. Good luck.”

Net: we are much better off going where what we do is respected and welcomed.

Michael A. Brown

]]> By: Michael A. Brown https://smbconsultinginc.com/2008/04/05/the-makings-of-a-bad-client/#comment-108 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:28:00 +0000 http://smbconsultinginc.com/blog/marketing/the-makings-of-a-bad-client/#comment-108 Hi Roger! Good post and hooray for you for nailing this three years into your business.

In the 22 years of owning my practice, I have had to “turn ’em down” a number of times.

Most recently, a man calls from Seattle. Here’s the sound track:

Man: “I understand you do marketing and sales training.”
Me: “I do indeed sir. How can I help you?”
Man: “How much is it?”
Me: “Because all our work is 100% custom, please tell me what you have in mind and together we’ll craft the right program.”
Man: “I just need a ballpark estimate.”
Me (already knowing this is going nowhere): “Well sir, for starters, is this consumer telemarketing or business to business? I do the latter. Is it marketing, sales, or customer service? How many people?”
Man: “You’re pulling my chain dude. I just need a number I can use as a guide.”
Me: “I don’t see a good fit here, so I respectfully decline. Good luck.”

Net: we’re better off doing what we do where it is respected and welcomed.

Michael A. Brown

]]> By: Rita Gates https://smbconsultinginc.com/2008/04/05/the-makings-of-a-bad-client/#comment-107 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:50:00 +0000 http://smbconsultinginc.com/blog/marketing/the-makings-of-a-bad-client/#comment-107 Know of any good SEOs? I am having a difficult time trying to get my site found on google.
http://www.winningstartups.com

]]> By: Laurel Phelps LaFlamme https://smbconsultinginc.com/2008/04/05/the-makings-of-a-bad-client/#comment-106 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:13:00 +0000 http://smbconsultinginc.com/blog/marketing/the-makings-of-a-bad-client/#comment-106 It is soooo okay to say “NO” – but we feel so bad when we do it. Why is that? “No” is a word that protects us. It can be spoken kindly. It does not have to be yelled. It is s tiny word that wields a huge impact and it must be applied when “your gut” indicates. Excellent reminder – mental note “listen-to-gut”.

This is going to be my new favorite motto: “High Stress Clients = Low Probabilities of Success” – because it is so true!

That’s when a “No, we probably are not the right fit for you at this present time” is going to apply.

If I had a nickle for every time a Client spoke of “My Uncle said…” or “My Nephew who KNOWS computers said…” it can be done this way or that way…I’d be on Bora-Bora right now.

If that is the case, then “no” – let your Nephew build your website and good luck getting it found by anybody…let him do your SEO.

SEO is both a measurable, statistical science and an art. It is vital to any business plan and needs to be included in the advertising budget for success. Period.

Thank you for letting me vent! Whew, that felt good.

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