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References requests by “Media Consultants”?
These days, more and more “clients” are asking for “references.”
I can’t help but be suspicious but that’s my nature I guess. It’s one thing when I’m hired to produce/shoot/edit for a corporate client or for a business hiring me to do the same for a local cable spot. “Jane’s Financial” or “Joe’s Widgets” obviously isn’t going to steal my client.But these days I’m getting inquiries from “Media Consultants” regarding jobs for a given client of theirs.
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First I’m not sure I like the idea of my clients be bothered by people contacting them for references.Second, I do not like the idea of handing out client contact info to a “Media Consultant” who may then hire someone else and now has contact with one of my clients.
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When I’m contacted by such “Media Consultant” I show them relevant demo material. I don’t mind showing them info such as client’s website which verifies the client is real. Often such site may even have my work on it if it’s public marketing material. Sure they may want to know if the client was actually happy with my work but I can’t help but feel this request is a violation of my own client relationships.In short, I don’t like giving out client contact info to someone who may regularly hire “competitors.”
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5 Replies
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I agree. What I usually do is show the relevant demo material (as you do) and then give references that are industry based. For example, maybe someone who worked on the specified project with you or a media industry leader that may be a personal friend. This way they have a professional, respectable and knowledgeable contact that is not the client. I don’t even use references on my resum
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Thanks Joel,
Usually the game I get is: I’ve got a shoot/edit for x coming up.” Followed by description of job. I then show them relevant demo reel. It’s clear from the reel who the client is. If they ask for references I send links to the client’s websites (which are publicly available anyway of course). They can verify the job and the clients are genuine.
I will NOT give them client contact info.
I do not want to give my client info to anyone who may hire someone else and retain my client contact info.
If such “consultant” likes my work they can hire me. If I don’t live up to my reel, they’ll hire someone else next time. Such “reference” isn’t going to verify my skills anyway. My reel does that.
At best such “reference” might show that I’m easy, creative, etc. to work with but such consultant might find that out by interviewing ME on the phone or in person. If they’re hiring me to be part of a creative team than maybe referring them to other industry professionals are in order (directors, producers, sound people, gaffers, etc.) may be in order, but NOT clients. As you mention.
Personally I think asking for client contact info by such “Media Consultants” is a form of phishing.
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I agree. It is suspect. But then again I’m in the middle of a spec project for a low budge pilot so what do I know!
Is the world really this bad of a place? I hope not…
Phishing sucks.
Joel Jackson
http://www.creativebloc.com/port.html -
[Craig Seeman] “If they ask for references I send links to the client’s websites (which are publicly available anyway of course). They can verify the job and the clients are genuine”
Can’t they just get the contact info from the website. Just playing devil’s advocate
Mick Haensler
Higher Ground Media -
Why not get your clients to give YOU a thankyou note for all your hard work on their project, you can then use that for marketing and give that to ‘media consultants’ and other interested parties.
BTW What is a media consultant?
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