Re: Teaching updates to clients

>>>> Plus, I have tried to teach people to just upload snippets, but by
the time I teach them ftp programs, and all the other software, put in
the time, etc., they call me later and say "I just can't do it!" Then I
feel guilty that they have spent the time and money, and it did no good!
There is also the factor that if my name is on the site, and the work
 they do is inferior, it makes me look bad (even if my coding is not
always perfect)!<<<<

Big question, Jennie.  I'll bite, because I am an HTML instructor for a
local school district, plus I have run into the situation myself with my
clients.

1) Teaching is done at whatever rate you are comfortable with.  Be
aware, though, that what you are describing is *consulting*, and the
price ranges for this often run much higher than HTML coding!

2) Up front, stress that it is not going to be easy if they don't have
the knack for it.  Explain that web design is *programming*, not graphic
arts or word processing.  There are no guarantees that they will be able
to handle it.

3) Set a limit on the time you will spend on lessons.  Collect more
money for further lessons.  Collect more money when you handle the
inevitable future requests for rescue.  Be honest, but the bottom line
is that they need more than an FTP lesson to run a site.  Have them
enroll in an online HTML course, and make sure they learn to use a
validator.

4) Change your notice on the site to reflect the fact that the design is
yours, site maintenace is done by X.

Be tough.  Basically, you caught the gist of it in your note when you
indicated that they won't be able to duplicate your knowledge base
overnight.  Bottom line is that they won't believe it until they try it
for themselves.  Speaking from experience, I can say that its just too
damn easy to get trapped into the hand-holding.

That's not to say that you should be cruel.  If they are willing to work
with you pricewise, and maybe toss in a glowing testimonial, then its
only fair to give it your best shot.  Some people do catch on rapidly.
Others never learn.  Hard to predict which way a given person will tend
to lean.  Do your best, but remember that your knowledge *is* your
product.

Darrell

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