any tips for getting clients to pull their fingers out of u know where and
make decisions/provide content so that projects doesn't stop, start, stop,
start, stop, start, stop....urrrgh.

somewhat bored here!
:-

I just give out regular email/calls to get an update on where they're at.
One of my clients will keep me updated anyway, they're going overseas and
then they'll do the next step of the project when they get back, another one
has had a health mis-hap with two members of the business which has slowed
things right down, another is doing his business on the side of his every
day job so it's naturally taking time. Everyone has a valid reson (even
being too busy is valid to them but perhaps not to us unfortunately!)

So I would say, make regular contact and use that down time to your fullest
advantage and get more work, promote yourself. Look at it this way (I do
anyway) these clients are yours, they aren't going anywhere. It's like an
investment, you know you have them whether it takes 2 weeks or 2 months or 6
months. Becuse you know you have them, when the ball is in their court and
you are waiting for their response, use the time to get more work.

In article <2qnfuiF118uv4U1@uni-berlin.de>, "lime" <nuthin@here.com> wrote:

i do that but they've always got a reason/excuse or whatever that slows
things down...



i'm not really a 'sales' person and this is my downfall.

"woodsie" <none@none.com> wrote in message
news:none-1409041537040001@c211-28-190-157.mckinn1.vic.optusnet.com.au...
Put it in the contract that a certain percentage of payment is due upfront,
certain more percentage in 30 days and balance due in 60 days - whether or
not project is completed. That's always worked for me, for web design
projects. Clients don't like to pay for something they're not using. This
also prevents clients from pulling the "if I keep them making minor changes
for months, I won't have to pay because the project isn't really finished"
bit too.

--Tina

In article <10kd3ljc83h0u58@corp.supernews.com>, "Tina - AffordableHOST,
Inc." <tina@affordablehost.com> wrote:

i can't really tell a client to pay for something that hasn't been done.
but i see your point of putting a timeframe/deadline on the project.

be harsh, tell them theyve your time between X and Y dates to do the project
any bleed will resolve in additional charges. give them time in advance to
collate everything and set deadlines for reviews. only problem is you'll
have to stick to em too

mark

various sexual favours
--
Hung Diep
http://www.intro-spect.co.uk

"woodsie" <none@none.com> wrote in message
news:none-1409041537040001@c211-28-190-157.mckinn1.vic.optusnet.com.au...
: any tips for getting clients to pull their fingers out of u know where and
: make decisions/provide content so that projects doesn't stop, start, stop,
: start, stop, start, stop....urrrgh.
:
: somewhat bored here!
: :-

I've solved this problem by operating an e-book publishing business in
the midst of all of the slow client dramas.

Unlike my design business, my e-book customers buy, download, then
they're gone on their merry way. I don't have to keep contacting them
to learn the Excuse du Jour for why they can't:

1. Get the content I need in order to complete their website.
2. Make a decision on what they want their website to look like.
3. Pay me so that the project can continue to completion.

And I could go on, but you get the idea.

So, ADG-ers, take it from Martha, The Passionate Postcarder: Don't put
all of your eggs in the design basket. Diversify.

Martha Retallick, "The Passionate Postcarder"

Grow your design business with postcards!
Learn how in my FREE newsletter! Sign up at:
http://www.PostcardMarketingSecrets.com

woodsie wrote:


The design firm I work for ALWAYS produces a 'progress invoice' for
projects which are stalled for 4 weeks, or has gone beyond the original
estimate and is into the 'client changes' surcharge field. I would say
that the final changes usually accompany the cheque. It's also not a bad
idea to use this method to let the customer know how far into the
'client changes' charges they are -- e.g. the original estimate for
$1000 includes 1 set of client changes - so when they get a progress
invoice for $1500 after the 3rd set of changes they usually get their
poop together and stop dicking around.

Jim