Save Money, Be Nice
Anyone in the service business knows not all clients are created equally. And not all clients are easy to work with. So this post is not for the professional who puts their clients first but for the client who assumes their vendors are second-class citizens.
Just because you’re paying someone for their services doesn’t mean that they are desperate for work or that this somehow gives license to treat them poorly. The fact of the matter is that you need them more than they need you. You have a problem to solve. You need a pro to help solve it. So be nice… and you might actually save yourself time and money.
While it is true enough that not all vendors are created equally (too), if you’re well prepared and listen closely, it is fairly easy to recognize those people who really know what they are doing (and not just giving lip service).
Tip: The more “buzz” a topic gets (e.g. social media), the more charlatans crawl out of the woodwork. So be wary… but be nice.
Having had a bad experience with a vendor doesn’t mean the next one is going to be just as bad. If you need to, take a break to restore equilibrium to your objectivity. It is always best to error on the side of caution and give the next person the benefit of the doubt. I know it is not always easy (which is why I never respond to emails when angry) but trust me, it will serve you well in the long run. Stay focus on your goal.
How does this save you money?
Is it really that hard to imagine that the people who are true professionals do what they do because they love it? And because they love it they are very good at it. It is not all about making money but they certainly know what their time and knowledge and talents are worth. They don’t need your validation.
When a vendor is facing the prospect of working with a client that respects their time/knowledge/talents versus one that does not, they will either go with the former (most cases) or charge a lot more (exception to the rule).
In addition, if you are not nice then you’re most likely going to end up with only charlatans to choose from. A charlatan may charge you less upfront but it will cost a lot more time/money in the end (and you may still not have solved your problem). As David Ogilvy once put it: “If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.”
So be nice.
It cost nothing and it can save plenty.
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:39 pm
This is a good blog. Keep up all the work. I too love to blog. This is great everyone sharing opinions
August 1st, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I work for myself, have really nice clients but since
January just couldn’t be bothered and have been
doing next to nothing. Clients starting to notice I’m not the brilliant person they were used to but cos they like and know me not saying anything yet… I know it’s on the verge of falling apart – the biggest thing for me is letting my clients down – they are all small clients – for some reason that I don’t get i’mjust conpletely demotivated
July 24th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
This is exactly what I keep telling my colleagues. Now I’ll direct them here… hope that is cool. Thanks.
Dana
July 14th, 2010 at 7:21 am
Hi .. Thanks for sharing. Always nice.
July 4th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Why wouldn’t you be nice?
July 3rd, 2010 at 7:35 pm
the vendor has the responsibility to keep her clients happy at all costs. don’t argue with them and make them feel like they are the only ones. this is what do in my apparel business. the customer is always right.
July 3rd, 2010 at 9:46 am
Great Posting! I’ve shared this to my friend who is always dealing with difficult clients… have a nice day
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:44 am
I am not sure I agree entirely but maybe it is the kind of clients you attract in the first place.
July 1st, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Getting used to it.
June 29th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
I love your site.
June 27th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
good article
June 27th, 2010 at 12:03 am
right on.
June 26th, 2010 at 10:31 am
There are lot a great videos on YouTube that talk about this in funny ways. Everybody has to deal with clients and customers like this. Thanks, like the way you say it.
Adam
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:24 pm
This is very good blog post, worthy of the rss subscribe. Thanks and keep it coming.
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Ha ha. Be nice, I get it.
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:33 pm
We don’t even bother if a prospect can’t answer basic questions about their project in the phone call. We can tell in the first 5 minutes if they are going to make the time and investment to complete their request. Nothing worst starting a project that can’t be completed because the client is unavailable or doesn’t pay their bills on time. What a waste of time.
June 21st, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Thanks for the interesting post! May I ask where you get your sources from?
June 21st, 2010 at 5:52 am
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