Question for GFYers Who Serve Clients
 

Whenever you are approached for a job and the potential client discusses what they want to do...and you know its a fail as they outline it...do you tell them its sure to be a fail, suggest additional small amounts of work or do you just sign em up and give em what they want?

For example, they say they want to do A+B and then go to market.

However, you know from the market, from experience etc that A+B+C is required or the client will be unhappy with the results.

2 cents anyone?

Tell them "yeah, I'll do A+B; but I also suggest we do C for the best results".
If they say "No, I just want A+B and not C".
Then you do A+B ...

Because; who the fuck are you to tell them it won't work?
Do you know everything they know?
You can be sure they didn't tell you any secrets they have on making it work.


Disclaimer : The problem is that they always forget that you suggested C and they blew it off, therefore you fucked up and not them when it fails.

:1orglaugh

I tell them it will fail, suggest changes, but in the end you do what the client wants.

I always welcome people I hire to let me know if they see a better way to do things.

Best case? Tell them, "In my professional opinion you'd get better results with A+B+C, but I am happy to execute on your wishes." Document that you said it, and find a way for them to blame the lowest ranking client employee, and look like the highest ranking client employee wanted to go with your recommendation all along. Then when they discover they do indeed need C, they'll fire the lowbie, and you'll have a new sponsor at the client. I can't bring myself to do that, but when it happens naturally, it works beautifully.

Great responses. Especially the last one... "Blame, the lowest..."

Yeah, I'm not trying to tell them its my way or nothing. I'm always here to learn. I just looked at their site, looked at what they want to do and then looked at the marketplace.

I would not want them to give it a little try, fail and then stop trying all together. They have a service/product that can do well all over the world. Maybe it does for them. But they are not the first in the territory they are looking at and to be honest...most have closed up shop or at least shut down the portals for the region.

I appreciate the answers so far.

I want my clients to be successful so I do what I can to improve their 'product' in pre production (client discussions) and in production

say: in my experience this seldom works out well, a better way is to ...... however the budget is XXXX .. I wouldn't feel good about taking your money knowing the results won't produce the results you expect... then ask: what do you think we should do?

and there is this: Clients From Hell

Thats a pretty funny tumblr...

As for the client. They are exploring a new language and consumer. Trying to help them succeed. Most people do want to go on the cheap, not plan very well. Its not like we're talking about the cost variance being 100$ vs 1000$. Numbers are closer either way.

Yes, I tell them that from my experience.... blabla.
If they are not interested / suggest they know better, I do what I am asked and refer from further advice :)

You tell them this, "Do you want to hire the best? Or the cheapest. That decision is ultimately up to you. Your plan sounds fantastic, however being a seasoned veteran in *whatever your job title is*, I suggest we alter your route a bit differently and here is why... *explain yourself and why you think they are wrong, citing examples of past mistakes you have witnessed as well as why the client needs to invest more money*

I can be color blind and go out looking for somebody to buy me apples. Anybody can buy me apples. However, if I only like green apples but I am color blind, I need somebody that knows what the color green is and where I can buy the best ones.

Anybody that is serious about what they are trying to do won't take it offensively. If they do? It's probably somebody you wouldn't want to work with anyways. The quick buck may be great to some, but it never pays off in the long run.

One unsatisfied customer will not bring you a hundred more. :2 cents:

Just happened today, with one client who wanted banners to be "beautiful" and took no advice in getting them to convert better (including a "click here" button which he thought looks amateurish - not the button itself but the "click here" concept) :)

sorry every time I edit text gets dumped .. usually I do catch the dump.. I tell them a and b seldom works in my experience... I would prefer to see them successful and the way I se it working out is a b c

Great replies. I appreciate the advice and the help on this. Most are confirms of what I was thinking. If they are going to spend the money I want their efforts and ours to be successful.

I digested the responses and approached them with some of your recs. I think they understand I'm not trying to get more work out of them. Our plate is always full to overflowing with work.

We do have a couple of domains we can make a killing with if they move forward. It will take a little effort but...it will be worth it.

Sometimes its hard to get people in ADULT to see this. Especially when dealing with translation work and new markets. Its not about cheap or expensive its about being RIGHT and the bank balance at the end of the day.

I hope when all is ready they will open their sites to some new affiliates. It will be worth it.

Again, thank you guys.