0 Make a Decision or Leave
I’m a pretty straightforward individual in terms of managing clients (at least most of the time). Hardly ever will I use sales techniques to get/keep clients.
At a previous gig that provided traditional web development services I learned a few things about the sales and client management process.
- Know your stuff
- Know your team
- Offer something real
- Don’t be an idiot
Prospective clients generally expect a traditional sales process where you go through the pain of doing just enough work and over-selling to convince them of opening their checkbooks. Personally I don’t care to do any of that stuff.
A Word to Those Looking For Services
Clients spend too much time baking over minuscule details that don’t add value. In terms of hiring an idividual or company to provide web development services you only need to limit this process to four questions.
- How good is their portfolio?
- If it’s awesome, is their development process effecient?
- Does their portfolio have similar ilks with my vision?
- Can I make a decision to move forward?
If a web development firm can’t deliver those items effectively and actually leave you impressed afterward, then move on. Don’t bother asking to see more work in some attempt to give them the benefit of a doubt. 9 times out of 10 a web firm will produce work that is either the same as what you saw or worse, never does it get better unless they hire new talent.
Sales Pyscology = Useless
Here’s the thing. If you need to be coaxed and coddled into purchasing web development services then you should reconsider why you’re building a website. All you need to know is if the job can get done in a profitable amount of time and will be of great quality when finally delivered.
Other than that, you’re wasting your time.
Conclusion
Don’t be stupid. Get real.