Patrick Ortman
2
COW Coins
Forum Replies Created
-
>>Whatever you do, do NOT take the low road and say anything negative publicly to anyone who matters. Always keep your words and actions professional.<< Walter's right. But it is not always easy to hold these things tight to the vest until your tell-all book comes out 😉 These are really weird times, and the grinders are out in force. The web dev/web design/production shops (as it sounds like you're dealing with) are especially getting beaten up pretty badly by clients. We've had two bankruptcies from clients, and one who just cut all their advertising and marketing and wonders why they're going out of business. However, a fair and honest digital agency will make sure to get their contractors paid- I always include our contractors' initial fees in the overall deposit we require from clients, so even if we get stiffed our contractors get paid for the time they've spent thus far on the project. It's the right thing to do, and if you're going to run a digital agency you need to play fair. If a client won't give enough of a deposit to cover contractor's (at least initial) costs, then we simply can't and won't accept them as a client. It sounds like the agency you're dealing with doesn't get that. Please don't think we're all like this, though. 🙂 I'm glad you're figuring out your situation, and I hope you hang on to those angry emails- we had a client who loved loved loved our work and said so in email after email, and told people we were great. Then she went off her meds and freaked when I told her we couldn't make $50K worth of changes to her project for $15K. She, like your grinder, threatened to sue and threatened to ruin our agency's name online unless we complied. Having those emails to present to her once her bender was over has been useful, and she now claims it was "all a misunderstanding". Whatever, right? Bottom line: protect yourself and your reputation. Walter's right: it's VITAL. --------------------- http://www.patrickortman.com
Web and Video Design -
Yes! Above and beyond expectations! That’s what we’re all in this for, I think, at the end of the day. Excellent story!
———————
http://www.patrickortman.com
Web and Video Design -
Ouch, Neil. But… seriously, in my experience he’s got a good point or three. You’ll definitely need a payroll company or service. We use the one built into QuickBooks. It works, so far.
That said, CONGRATS! This is a big day for your company!
I second on doing a Google and Facebook search on applicants. I know it sounds bad, but you can weed out a lot of bad apples this way. Or find some superstars. You never know.
On pay, I’d suggest a fair but lower wage than you’d first be inclined to offer. Then, at the end of the year or quarterly, you can give bonuses. It makes people feel more a part of your company, I’ve found (oddly enough, even more so during the periods where the company doesn’t make a profit… but that’s another story).
———————
http://www.patrickortman.com
Web and Video Design -
WOW. I am impressed, and yes- the best clients do feel much more like friends!
———————
http://www.patrickortman.com
Web and Video Design -
Oh no! All the best witty replies have been posted. :-). Thanks, guys!
———————
http://www.patrickortman.com
Web and Video Design -
Nick’s right- it’s best to have these things in there from the start. Same with pricing in general. It’s just so hard to change things later.
We’ve struggled with a client we have had for almost 10 years, as far as getting them to a more equitable arrangement. They kept coming back with “well, I remember when you shot a video for $1,000- why should I pay you $15,000 for my tv commercial?”. Eventually, and I hated it- REALLY hated it- we had to let them go.
———————
http://www.patrickortman.com
Web and Video Design -
Emre,
Do we share a client? It sure sounds like it from your post! 😉
———————
http://www.patrickortman.com
Web and Video Design -
>>BTW another thing clients can do is chew up your time in back and forth unnecessary conversations. One has to measure time in total in figuring the value of the work. I have other work to do and I may not be able to talk to him at his convenience on what I consider and unpaid bill at this point. << It's so easy to fall for this, though. I have had too many situations (especially this year) where I have spoken with a potential client, then attended a meeting with her higher-ups, then presented multiple estimates (and sometimes full proposals!), hoping to land business. It gets really easy, the more you feel invested with someone, to give them huge amounts of back and forth, unnecessary conversations for free. But like anything, you (and by you, I mean me, actually!) need to do like you've done and set a line in the sand. Once they cross it, they're officially a grinder and not worth the time. --------------------- http://www.patrickortman.com
Web and Video Design -
Also, do not forget Flickr and doing an advanced search for Creative Commons licensed photos.
Our most recent photo license was under a hundred dollars, but it was a non-hero photo (not super featured on the client’s website). We also try to get our clients to accept giving the photographer’s credit and link (it’s the right thing to do, and it often makes it cheaper and easier to get the license from the photog).
———————
http://www.patrickortman.com
Web and Video Design -
I know, I’m a parrot today. But yes- we use Wufoo for ALL our clients. Even the big Fortune 500 ones. They LOVE it.
———————
http://www.patrickortman.com
Web and Video Design