Re: [Re: [Apathetic clients]]

Hi Betsy!
    As you suggested, I'm forwarding this to the entire list. I've seen a=
 few
other good ideas pop up since I wrote this.
Carl

Carl Salaski <banzaimktg(at)usa.net> wrote:
Hi Betsy!
    I've been with the HWG for 3 or 4 years now.  Not so sure anymore. Ha=
ve
built webpages for 4 years, commercially for 3 years.  And I've recently
started my own design firm, and hope to one day achieve your success.
    Okay, I'll try to give you some ideas to pursue.
How to keep the client active (continue to submit updates, etc)
Depending on the type of content your client sites have. You might try us=
ing
some content providers such as www.isyndicate.com
There are others. You'll have to bite the bullet and do a one time edit o=
f
their sites to place the approriate links on thier pages.
Another thing you can do is, use these sites as a training ground for som=
e
interns or those who are trying to build their portfolios or learn and
improve
thier craft.  You could either charge the client a minimal fee, or of thi=
s is
not possible, your interns could do it for the training, experience,
portfolio
value. I might even have a few designers that would be happy to do this f=
or
you.

How to make the client continue to pay for activity ( if not under a
maintenance agreement)
Without a maintenance agreement, and the fact that the clients don't want=

updates, this is a hard one. Perhaps you'll need a professional salespers=
on
who can convince your clients that there's a real need to update, and poi=
nt
out the lost opportunities by not updating.

How to spare my (well-earned) good reputation if they don't....?
None that I can see other than disowning the sites and removing them from=

your
references. Perhaps you need to build a whole new client list.

Or even: How to get rid of em' without looking like the bad "guy" (I
live in a small town)
See above. Since you're not actively involved in their sites, you won't l=
ook
like the bad guy.  You're simply disowning the sites from your portfolio.=



Hope these few suggestions from a relative newbie to professional web des=
ign
helps you.


Sincerely,
Carl Salaski
aka
Lancer
Banzai Design


 =

Betsy Girouard <betz(at)lemoorenet.com> wrote:
Hello Business Professionals,
I'm an HWG "ol'timer" and have rarely jumped into the group, but have
certainly gleaned and gained mucho knowledge from all of you over the
years....thank you very much!

My problem: although I have built a small but successful web design
company these past 7 years, mainly targeting start-ups and
entrepreneurs, have given away oodles of sites, services, advice in
order to build it, have produced money-making opportunities for clients
and put them on the "map" so to speak.... (have I prefaced enough?) I
STILL can't get some clients to take an active interest in their site!
Not all clients, of course, but several who never send on updates, new
info, changes in corporate structure, etc. Oh, I have tried... periodic
e-mails asking if they need anything, or sending on good ideas to
increase their hits, sales....whatever. "Let them go" you say?
=2E..easier said than done....producing nice long grocery list of happy
clients looks good to the potential web site owner when one is selling
web sites...unfortunatly, some of these old clients are hurting my
reputation by having stale, out-dated info, or boasting a copyright 1997
at the bottom of their page. Guess who gets the occasional e-mail asking
why no updates....or what kind of crummy site is this anyway? yikes!

What to do, what to do...? I'm not sure....I've spent a lot of years
getting where I am today and have absolutely no intention of giving away
anymore "freebies" ... free site refreshers...free marketing
advise...free content development, etc. I believe that much of these
aforementioned clients apathy comes from their lack of knowledge as to
the power of the Internet...they all seem to be very happy with their
sites....be that as it may...I'm just too busy these days to keep
chasing after them....and if I try to....I discover that "they" want all
the web goodies for free anyway!

Does ANYONE have some advise on:
How to keep the client active (continue to submit updates, etc)
How to make the client continue to pay for activity ( if not under a
maintenance agreement)
How to spare my (well-earned) good reputation if they don't....?
Or even: How to get rid of em' without looking like the bad "guy" (I
live in a small town)

I would appreciate any and/or all advise my fellow HWG'ers could spare
the time to offer up...I'm at wits end!

Thank you in advance,
Betsy Girouard
http://www.pixelpalette.com


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