Comments on: Tweaking your way to copywriting hell

By: Ted Grigg

Ted Grigg — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:28:04 +0000

Even consultants get “tweak requests” to review their plans and make a few suggestions to see if they like what you say before giving me the real project. That is code for, “We can easily afford to pay, but we are cheapskates and don’t think anyone else should make money but us.”

I’m actually going to one of those paid meetings soon. When I quoted my hourly rate (which is quite competitive, by the way), the main client contact said in front of his employees. “OK. But you had better be good.”

This client makes plenty of money but has been unwilling in the past to do any real marketing. I was hoping she would say I cost too much. But instead she reluctantly agreed. This new client will last a grand total of three minutes and cause me nothing but grief the whole time.

Just like good copy, there is a cost for entry requiring X effort and time to do a marketing plan correctly. Shortcuts for what we do do not exist.

Thanks for a much needed post.

By: Bob Firestone

Bob Firestone — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:35:43 +0000

The point on “Will this result in a loss of business?” is important for everyone who is self employed. If the client won’t pay your rate then they are not a worthwhile client. In my experience the people who come in trying to lowball you are the problem children. They take up all your time and take their own sweet time to pay you.

If you can refer the customer to someone who needs the work and can do it for the price and will pay you a referral fee. Everyone wins!

By: Janice C Cartier

Janice C Cartier — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:18:52 +0000

Yes. “Beware the tweak” is alive and well in the art business too. It comes from word of mouth initially, someone heard from someone how great it was to work with you. That is wonderful word of mouth. What is not so great is the I don’t want to pay retail ploys that sometimes follow.
We just need a little help with, fill in the blank with the project of the moment, followed by huge flattery. I give my fees and pay protocol. Enter the sticker shock. (My fees are reasonable BTW ). Then we see back peddling, a sudden third party needed to approve, or a “oh we decided to go another way”. These are all code for, uh uh, I am not paying retail for what they consider a little tweak.
But all that free time you don’t spend with that kind of client, can be spent with your ideal clients. Finding them, and keeping them happy with fabulous work. More mutual respect in that.