[mrchristoph]

How rubbish are you in client meetings? Because I'm s**t. Discuss.

[MikeChipshop]

I always infuse mine with lots of alcohol on the company.
I'm awesome.

[oakleaves]

mrchristoph, on 06 December 2011 - 07:20 AM, said:

How rubbish are you in client meetings?

Pretty bad.. But somehow I muddle through.

Taking them to McDonalds or Starbucks and using the wifi seems to be good for certain clients.

Got a cool digital hub just for web designers and digital creatives near me that I'm also looking at joining in the new year where you can meet clients and put them at ease.

This post has been edited by oakleaves: 06 December 2011 - 09:02 AM

[rallport]

I found them easier when I started to treat them less like a meeting and more like a conversation. E.g. don't try to act too, or over think situations. OIbv. you'll have some clients who are very corporate and you'll need to put together a proper presentation.

Personally I found them a lot easier once I had a couple of years experience under my belt, found it easier to talk about things.

One of the biggest ones is don;t dive head first into talking about the project. Spend a good 5 or 10 minutes just talking in general and getting to know your client - that alone goes a long way in my experience.

Sounds weird I know.

[sunnyp81]

From someone in the sales trade for 10+ years, i strongly suggest those who want to come across as more professional you check out some sales presentation vids on youtube or read about them on sales sites - many offer free info and guidelines... any questions sales related - feel free to ask..

[rallport]

sunnyp81, on 07 December 2011 - 04:11 PM, said:

From someone in the sales trade for 10+ years, i strongly suggest those who want to come across as more professional you check out some sales presentation vids on youtube or read about them on sales sites - many offer free info and guidelines... any questions sales related - feel free to ask..

With all due respect, that's quite a surprising response from someone with so much experience.

The whole sales / professional appraoch isn't always appropriate - I think you need to adapt your approach to the type of client/person you're meeting with.

I've found people dislike the typical hard sell with a rigid pitch. I always get more of a positive response when things are more casual and less planned.

[pilgrim_fgau]

rallport, on 08 December 2011 - 07:36 PM, said:

With all due respect, that's quite a surprising response from someone with so much experience.

The whole sales / professional appraoch isn't always appropriate - I think you need to adapt your approach to the type of client/person you're meeting with.

I've found people dislike the typical hard sell with a rigid pitch. I always get more of a positive response when things are more casual and less planned.

I would agree with rallport, for any clients that I had dealt with so far, and being honest its only a few, I have felt a lot more confident in a more relaxed environment.

[sunnyp81]

I cant say im surprised with the response. No one said hard sell, but none the less selling is involved and selling (as is web design/development) an art of its own.
If I worked for a design firm and turned up to a client meeting in jeans and a casual top, I’m likely (unless ofcourse im Mark Zuckerberg) to give the wrong impression to the potential client. Yes, be yourself, but my advice is only intended for those who need help. Im sure many of you are very experienced in what you do, how you do it etc. But that takes time to learn and master. Sorry, but unless i knew the prospect before hand, I would never turn up in anything less than atleast shirt trousers and nice shoes!!... (yes the shoes make all the difference)