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Topic: x-post client rant - why are they all such idiots?
| Author | Message |
| df | Posted – 4/23/2008 5:08:30 PM | show profile okay, maybe not all, but all of mine. they never listen to a word, force me to do things I seriously advise not to do, and then come back and complain. I mean, I very professionally tell them I recommend xyz, not y. for reason abc, and efg. If you go ahead and follow your idea and implement y, the result will most likely be (place doom and gloom scenario here- their ideas are normally really really bad.) In this particular case I even went so far to say I 'will not execute this activity - it is not executable." I still was made to do it, with the quote "i'll be responsible" - I being the client. Turns out I was right (wow, after 20 yrs in the biz, it really was a no brainer ...). it is not executable. I have been working on it for weeks it is a nightmare. I hate everyone involved. everyone involved is clueless. Everyone involved is rude. Still no one listens to what I have to say, and the situation gets more bizare by the hour. (more outsiders being brought in, more people doing more incredible stupid stuff, just picture a logistical nightmare in a train going full speed ahead into a concrete wall.) What do you do, if you grind your teeth when talking to a client, feel like daytime drinking or murder? And all professional options are excausted? Just let it run its course and close your eyes? It feels to much victim like for me - considering I have to listen to lots of 'listen to me... ' ; "let me explain to you"... Do you scream at your clients, and let it all out? or how do you built the inner strength to be uninhibited? Or do you just go home and plan murder, buy a one way ticket to Brazil when firing the client is not an option since its part of your bread and butter strategy? |
| sue ellen mischke | Posted – 4/23/2008 8:22:50 PM | show profile Clients who are very close to the product, service and/or brand sometimes become emotionally attached. No matter what you say: "You will lose sales. You will lose brand loyalty. You will be sued," they go ahead and do it because they feel a certain way about the brand and think they know best. One thing I have learned, is that you agree with their idea, and then "enhance" it and make them think they came up with it... |
| InsomniacNOT | Posted – 4/23/2008 11:20:02 PM | show profile Sounds like you're taking it too personally. I recommend: 1) completely listen to the client 2) give your feedback while remaining calm no matter how dumb the client is 3) who cares if they don't listen as long as they're paying you good money Last complete idiot of a client had thought he was being brilliant and innovative by proposing to turn a magazine sideways like a calendar. Yeah buddy, like no one's ever thought of that! |
| df | Posted – 4/24/2008 11:37:31 AM | show profile I know I am taking it personally - that's the whole problem! I am still keeping calm and professional with the client, but I am reaching wits end. I had clients with all kinds of idiotic ideas (magazine without masthead, to make people curious to open it??? top that one) and I always keep my cool and collect the money. the problem here is them being rude and personal attacks, and the unorganized manner, which makes my work very difficult. And run overtime, which they don't pay for. They brought in another 'adviser' who talks to me in this 'listen missy, let me explain to you the earth is flat" style, in a very sexist manner. I have told him several times we are all professionals, and we need to behave and speak that way. with no result. I think I am going to punch this guy and deal with the lawsuit. |
| InsomniacNOT | Posted – 4/24/2008 2:41:12 PM | show profile Heh, heh, heh. That masthead on the cover thing sounds typical. That is just the kind of suggestion that people in non-creative jobs always make, convinced it is a brilliant insight. I would respond along the lines of "Hmmm. The consensus is that if you have a very powerful cover image the masthead/logo in no way detracts from it and makes people in any way less curious to open the magazine. "Also, you have to remember that by associating your brand with a powerful curiosity-inspiring cover, you are enhancing your brand. The masthead and the image reinforce each other and it's a win-win effect." At that point, if the client still wants his dopey mastheadless cover, I would produce it along with another cover with a masthead. This way when the client's boss vetoes the dopey idea at the last minute, you have the secret version B ready to go. NOw if said client pays badly and is a harrasser on top of it all, just get rid of them. Firing clients is often good for business although, of course, there are risks involved. |
| caitlinkelly | Posted – 4/24/2008 2:58:44 PM | show profile Can you just fire them? It sounds nightmarish and hardly worth the $$$....how much $$$ do you need to be this miserable? Unorganized, bill them for the time. Unpaid overtime? No. Rude? No. Sexist? No. But you have said firing them is not an option. Then get some Xanax and plan a fantastic splurge with all the $$$$$ these morons are paying to ignore and insult you. |
| df | Posted – 4/24/2008 11:58:32 PM | show profile thanks guys for all the encouragement. I just had to vent, it already helped. I am feeling a bit better, and I think I will fire them, after I collected some more $$. No way I am suffering and get the short end of it all. I guess I should answer the how do you know you should quit question. |
| westsidestory | Posted – 4/25/2008 12:07:41 AM | show profile Look, fire them already. Or, in next round, up your price by at least 75 % to cover the stress factor. That should get rid of them nicely. You must get other clients NOW. It is clear that you and this group or not on the same wavelength. Be professional and move on. |
