Carefully Chronophage.

There are different customers, many of them are great and important but some … some clients are happy to use your time for their own benefit without payment. A little bit about how to avoid such clients and how to protect ourselves.

Step One. Diagnosis.

If your client likes to arrange various competition between agencies all the time (pitches, comparing prices, asking neighbors for advice) Looks like this client is a potential Chronophage (time eater). Client schedules meetings and changes time about hundred times? You are given the most recent changes in the design, 3 minutes before work goes to print? Your client comes up with hundred and one reasons to get your advice for free “because you are friends now”? If it is so ….Such behavior is typical for time eaters. The diagnosis is usually evident in the two areas: they are not willing to pay and their willingness to spend your time blabbering.

Step Two. Decision.

Think about all the pros and cons. If the client is spending your time but is well-known brand … and the work is an valuable addition to your portfolio, you may take your chances even if you are not paid. If you are ready to be paid, but after long calls and discussions and prayers … well…it depends on your personal time and planning. If you have been meeting clients for a month, and things are still where they were at the early beginning – you were promised to be paid, but now it is unlikely… just close the door and politely let go of such a client from all quarters.

Step Three. When you decide, just do it.

When your decision is made, you should not knock the door and be disgusted. You were used all this time and you knew about it and agreed. It was your choice and you are responsible for the good of you. So make another choice, drop this client. You will not be able to help him, you will not change him, and you will not make his business successful.

UNDERSTAND once and for all. Unless Client understands that his ship is sinking TO SAVE him is NOT POSSIBLE!

Outcome.

Use your strengths and talents only for those clients who are ready to take your advice and assistance, and are willing to pay for all this time. Learn to say no to clients, save your time and energy and respect your own work.

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