Last week I said I was open to taking on clients.<\/p>\n
The response has been… interesting… to say the least. Some of it expected, some of it not-so-expected. And it’s been a great learning lesson and reminder why I don’t generally do client work anymore.<\/p>\n
Here are a few thoughts:<\/p>\n
1. Spam<\/strong><\/p>\n Suddenly I started getting “referralkey” spam.<\/p>\n Yes, spam.<\/p>\n I consider the same (dorky) form email from multiple people (even people I know) asking me to join something called “referralkey” to be quite spammy.<\/p>\n 2. Advice seekers<\/strong><\/p>\n Easily the most common responses.<\/p>\n These are people who contact you and say they’d like to talk about their project when really, what they want to do is ask you questions to geek free advice out of you. <\/p>\n I don’t play that.<\/p>\n I can’t.<\/p>\n If I wasted time getting on the phone with everyone who asked to “pick my brain” (ouch), I’d never get any actual work done.<\/p>\n 3. Can’t-get-to-the-pointers<\/strong><\/p>\n These are the most amusing types.<\/p>\n They send emails or leave voice mails saying they want to discuss a project, without actually saying what it is they want to discuss or need done, and can’t seem to get to the point. Had one guy do this on Wednesday, and when I “qualified” him a bit (to make sure he wouldn’t waste my time and is serious) he sounded kinda… offended<\/em>… in his reply.<\/p>\n He said I was “playing hard to get” haha.<\/p>\n It was kind of amusing.<\/p>\n You see, I’m not that clever.<\/p>\n For me, it’s simply a time issue.<\/p>\n I guard my time like my life.<\/p>\n Why?<\/p>\n Because it IS my life.<\/p>\n I don’t even bother with people who don’t get that simple little concept. In fact, I’ve found through the years they tend to be the biggest pain-in-the-ass clients. <\/p>\n Thus, he was promptly rejected<\/em>.<\/p>\n Anyway, very interesting.<\/p>\n And a big reminder:<\/p>\n You’re always your own best client.<\/p>\n Ben Settle<\/p>\n P.S.<\/strong> To get the next Crypto Marketing Newsletter issue before it mails next week (it’s two full bore examples of how to do email sales — all you need is a list and testimonials) go to:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n