Randall Raymond
Forum Replies Created
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[David Roth Weiss] “In fact Randall, I’m in the process of writing an article on “qualifying the customer.””
Oh, that will be a great article! I look forward to reading it. I go into any meeting knowing they have a problem and are hoping that I have the solution. ‘What’s the solution cost?’ That’s their real question.
How does one answer that? One can’t, without understanding the problem. So in the meeting, I’m the one asking the questions.
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[Lisa Koza] “Having said that, and knowing such, I really don’t believe my price is horrible,”
I don’t either. I think David pointed out the problem of not getting a read on what the budget was. Always try and get that read before ANY meeting.
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[Steve Kownacki] “Never lower your price”
I’m with Steve on that – it’s makes you look like a bandit.
I with David on saving the thing by his suggestion.
Depending on how good your voice work is – 7 minutes of narration might be worth $500 alone.
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[David Roth Weiss] “Come on Randall, how could you have missed that one? Remember 911 and the so called “War On Terror.””
Oh, that one!
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[Mike Cohen] “Seriously, we have weathered the 2001 recession”
I must have missed that one..
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[Steve Wargo] “We then decided to call all of our clients and ask what we could do to help promote their businesses and increase their sales.”
That’s a brilliant bit of marketing there, Steve. Right now we specialize in web video, Google campaigns, and flash web-sites – I’ve got more work than I can shake a stick at. I basically say what you just said, it’s the message my clients want to hear.
I’ve been through recessions before, I fear some of the younger guys might get hit from the blind-side. You really have to hunker down and work WITH your clients in tough times (or they’ll get picked off by someone else)- it’s about mutual survival.
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Just get the shooter to sign off all copyrights to you. Not a big deal and really just that easy.
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[Mick Haensler] “If we focus on doom and gloom, that’s what we’ll receive.”
There are worse businesses to be in during a recession than advertising, that’s for sure. I think the focus should be on helping clients through it – they are the ones caught in the catch-22 situation of needing to go after more business while watching their ad-budget disappear just to keep the doors open.
Actually, this can be a very good time for us in nabbing new business from agencies who won’t acknowledge or help clients during a down-turn.
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[joel jackson] “How do I become a content provider for them?”
Call or write the nearest Google regional office and let them know you are available for Adwords video ad production.
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[Mark Stuart] “I like your tips on not getting too detailed or wordy. Basically, I just don’t want to get ripped off, like we all do ;-)”
Just stay focused on the solution you are providing to the problem they have. They want results and will pay for those results – and they will smile while paying if the results are there.
Provide the solution and you will never get ripped off. Communicating the perfect message is not easy – but that is exactly what they are paying you for. Stay focused on your mission, not your fears. That attitude should be reflected in your estimate. They are not the enemy.