[thelist] Re: Client Relations Re: 'design by..' line

[Erika Meyer]

>The joys of working for friends as clients..who want everything...give
>nothing....change their minds and expect changes every time you turn
>around......

so this really _is_ about client relations.

>I became photographer (when she was quoted $3,500 to have the pics taken for
>her site),

oh yeah, I remember your earlier post about this.

>Then at the end to be told nah....cant afford to pay you as I am spending
>$70,000 redecorating my home...I will "drip feed" you.....

well, you've put up with it so far...

>Anyone interested to view the site feel free...
>http://www.surfaustralia.com.au

pretty waves... OH MY GOD was that a gunshot?
Damn, that's the first time I've been shelled at a web site.

>but to no avail.
>So believing the customer is always right...

no, they are not.

>I went with what was asked.

Here's what I do.  I hear them tell me what they think they need.

Then I ask questions until I feel I can tell them what I think they 
need.  If we cannot work to an understanding, I consider dropping the 
job.  But that is generally not necessary because either they drop me 
because they were cheap &/or clueless, or they work with me and we 
compromise.

The more I work at it, the more I understand the medium, the better I 
can see what is going to work and what is not. But sailing is never 
smooth. There will be points of tension. There will be power plays. 
It is not all nicey nice, and if you are too accommodating up front, 
you'll either have to swallow a lot of **** or at some point you'll 
have to assert yourself (or both).  You know more about this than 
they do.  You must convey that to them. It may take repeated efforts.

As for the footer credit, that is up to you... but if, in fact, you 
have built the site and not been paid, I'd say you have leverage. 
You'd probably as soon have the money as the credit... though no 
doubt you undercharged as well.

Every job is a learning experience.  But here is my advice, 
especially to a woman: be professional.  Know your worth.

What is it worth to you to build a site that scares away potential customers?

Believe in your own expertise, and make them believe it too.  Easier 
said than done, I know.  But you could make it a mantra or something.

Erika





erika at seastorm.com
http://www.seastorm.com