Hi,

 

I'm looking for some assistance here on what to take to my clients first Face-to-Face meeting. I'm not entirely sure how many people it will be wit, but i'm hoping for some advice what to take with me.

 

I have already got a design I would like to show them, but what other things are they likely to want to look at? I have this vision of me having to take a massive A1 work book and have charts and graphs etc with 100's of web and logo designs for them to see, ready for a BIG presentation. Is all that necessary, can you give me some tips on what to take, say etc?

 

Thank you.

Take a nice professional looking notebook and pen, if it is your first face to face chances are there will be changes that need to be done so its always good to be able to make notes of them while you are there. Plus it will make you look like you are taking everything that they say on-board.

 

No, unless you are doing marketing or want to show current trends in the area that you are designing for what would you show in you graphs? It is however good to show that you have looked at a number of alternative ways to design the site and what you have been doing during your time that you have worked for them. So if you have more then one design it would be better for you, as it shows that you have tried to approach the brief they gave you from many different angles.

 

Also be very prepared, they could ask you any form of question and it could have to do with their company so at least know the basics of the company you are designing for.

 

Finally, good luck and don't worry as long as you are confident of your design that will show through:D

you need a couple of things:

 

* a shirt and a decent pair of trousers... not neccesarily a tie though

* a good notebook and fancy pen, as Dizi said

* a laptop is quite useful, especially so later on in the project for showing off your work so far.

* aftershave/deodarant (but not too much), as well as clean breath, clean skin, clean hair, clean clothes etc

* a phone so you can phone for a quick get away..

 

a couple of things to remember:

* the client is the one paying you money.. he is your boss, and expects to be treated as such

* however, don't be a stiff ass. Laugh at his/her jokes and pop some too - just not anything racist sexist or rude at first

* don't argue... if you have a valid reason to say something, then yeah.. but just saying "no that is a rubbish idea" is bad.

* accept a drink if they offer it, at least in the first meeting...

* don't put pressure on them at all. Only talk numbers when they talk numbers.

* if they ask for a price, try and be quite broad... eg "from what you have told me so far, between £800 and £1200"

* try and look out for their interests - for example do they need this kind of site, or even a site at all.

 

hope this helps.

* don't put pressure on them at all. Only talk numbers when they talk numbers.

* if they ask for a price, try and be quite broad... eg "from what you have told me so far, between £800 and £1200"

 

I wouldn't say I'd pressure a client, but I would eventually talk numbers. Either, the classic "what's your budget?" or simply "what did you think of the initial cost estimate?"

 

I can be quite broad with my price initially, esp. if they are asking for something I'd need to outsource (I'd have to get a quote from the 'outsourcers') - otherwise if they ask for everything in my skill range I can normally come up with a close figure. However this always comes with "..but if the spec changes, we may need to rework the budget."

 

Basically, it's fixed if the current plan sticks.

* a shirt and a decent pair of trousers... not neccesarily a tie though

 

I would opt for a nice pair of trousers and a sensible top rather than a shirt. Something smart rather than casual, as I think females always look more professional in a sensible top then they do in a shirt. But if you go for a shirt do stay away from the ties...I think they make us females look more like a joke than a serious business woman

you need a couple of things:

 

* a shirt and a decent pair of trousers... not neccesarily a tie though

* a good notebook and fancy pen, as Dizi said

* a laptop is quite useful, especially so later on in the project for showing off your work so far.

* aftershave/deodarant (but not too much), as well as clean breath, clean skin, clean hair, clean clothes etc

* a phone so you can phone for a quick get away..

 

a couple of things to remember:

* the client is the one paying you money.. he is your boss, and expects to be treated as such

* however, don't be a stiff ass. Laugh at his/her jokes and pop some too - just not anything racist sexist or rude at first

* don't argue... if you have a valid reason to say something, then yeah.. but just saying "no that is a rubbish idea" is bad.

* accept a drink if they offer it, at least in the first meeting...

* don't put pressure on them at all. Only talk numbers when they talk numbers.

* if they ask for a price, try and be quite broad... eg "from what you have told me so far, between £800 and £1200"

* try and look out for their interests - for example do they need this kind of site, or even a site at all.

 

hope this helps.

 

I agree with all that. However, I choose not to take a laptop, as people get very distracted by a screen.

 

Always be polite with your clients. Around 50% of meetings I've had, have been very informal, e.g. going into their shop, not getting past the counter, or visiting the boss at their home. In those cases (when they tend to be less formaly dressed) I prefer to go smart, but casual.

 

Clients can be put off by suits and such, and if you're off somewhere mucky, its hard to keep clean.

 

Another thing to keep in mind, is try and get a feel for the business, appear enthusiastic, and make plenty of suggestions. Clients will feel as though they've doing all the work, if you just sit, nod occasionally, and scribble away.

 

Keep eye contact. Eye contact proves you are a honest person.

 

Whilst scoping the place out, note a few things about the building and company. You could say "i noticed you have a very nice logo, we should incorporate that into the design", or "Your staff and logo match colors wise, maybe we could continue this onto your site".

 

Another thing I like to do is print outs. Not too many, but put jargon, and contact info on them. I also do a "What exactly will I need to get a website" leaflet which is quite popular.

 

Talk to clients appropriately, as though your on a job interview maybe.

 

Finally, never confuse them.

 

I once said "oh, you're going to need like 1GigaByte webspace minimum."

The guy turned round and said "I'm gonna a giiglywhat? Whats a googlybyte"

if you do speak geek, make sure you tell them what it all means, in laymens terms.

 

Never be nervous. I am quite a shy person usually, but you cannot be shy when dealing with clients. Somehow, when meeting clients I get a new persona, its great. I actually quite enjoy having client meetings, or inviting them to my office to work on the design with them.

 

its all fun. If they do end up coming to your office, always give them DRINKS

"Your staff and logo match colors wise

 

Am really sorry - could you explain that remark? It did make me giggle

Am really sorry - could you explain that remark? It did make me giggle

i think he means that you and your staff )if any) should match the company logo XD

like if its blue and white whear blue pants and a white shirt?

what happens if the logo is bright pink, orange and yellow...would your then go as if you were trying out for an 80's pop video? seems a little silly to dress according to a logo...as long as your smartly dressed then surely that would do

Hi,

 

I'm looking for some assistance here on what to take to my clients first Face-to-Face meeting. I'm not entirely sure how many people it will be wit, but i'm hoping for some advice what to take with me.

 

I have already got a design I would like to show them, but what other things are they likely to want to look at? I have this vision of me having to take a massive A1 work book and have charts and graphs etc with 100's of web and logo designs for them to see, ready for a BIG presentation. Is all that necessary, can you give me some tips on what to take, say etc?

 

Thank you.

 

Plenty of enthusiasm for what they do....even if its dull.

 

Before you talk to them think about how you are going to get visitors to the proposed site to hand over their cash for the product/service.