What becomes of the broken hearted?

[Kai Cheong]

“It’s not you, it’s them”

😉

Often, there are 101 variables that are neither within your control nor dependent on your professionalism, skill level, reel, wealth of experience, charm etc.

I could empathize with the biting feeling when you first find out that you’ve been rejected in spite of giving a good shot with the pitch. I mean, “Hey, we’re nice, professional people and we’ve got this KICKASS concept at a great price!”

We have quite a fair bit of experience being contacted by old and new potential clients who need some help with coming up with the specs for an upcoming project [because they’re required to call a tender] or provide a rough costing. Generally, we take it as an opportunity to make a good impression and just help them out. Sometimes, this involves going down to talk them through – mainly to help them clarify what they want.

I’d say the ‘hit rate’ for such goodwill gestures ain’t that great. But for those clients we’ve retained, we’ve definitely developed a good working relationship. But business is business – there are no guarantees it will stay that way. Not least because bosses change, contacts change jobs etc.

If we had a dedicated business person to do this, it might be less taxing. But as fragile creative types who have to do double duty, sometimes it does become quite tiring.

Sometimes, when we’re puzzled as to why we failed to clinch a bid, we do send a polite email to see if they could let us in on the reasons. Usually they’re quite polite and PC about it…

We did have the odd incident when we spent quite some time sitting with a prospective client, failed to get the job and a few months later, when their shiny new video popped online… the concept looked WAY TOO FAMILIAR (though the execution left much to be desired). That kinda sucked… we contemplated taking some action but after some deliberation, reckoned it’s not worth the trouble. Plus, we believe in karma 😉

Kai
FCP Editor / Producer with Intuitive Films
https://kai-fcp-editor.blogspot.com
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At Intuitive Films, We Create: TV Commercials, Documentaries, Corporate Videos and Feature Films
Visit us @ https://www.intuitivefilms.com
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[Tom Sefton]

We have also had the experience of helping out with in-depth brainstorming, to then find out that 3 prices are needed and low and behold the winning company has used our ideas.

It’s a very difficult thing to do – remember that you haven’t done anything wrong – if your work wasn’t good enough they wouldn’t have bothered coming to you for any prices at all. What also needs remembering is that you are helping them out just by bothering to help out with costing for the job…

Keep your chin up, and keep yourself busy – even if you work on your own showreel!

[Rebecca Gillaspie]

There is no loyalty in business. Don’t forget that. You’re obligated to do what’s best for you and vice versa.

“A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.” – Bob Dylan

Rebecca Gillaspie
Producer/Editor
rgillaspie@gmail.com