How to Handle Problem Vendors and Clients

What happens when you have problem vendors and clients? When running a business in a service industry, it’s good to be prepared and know how to handle a negative situation. The Creative Banter girls talk about their experiences with vendors and clients when things didn’t go so smoothly. They also discuss the importance of managing expectations and communication, being empathetic towards clients, and when to say no. “The key to all of this is communication and you learn how to communicate better with experience because of trial and error……These are things that could potentially happen….make sure you restate everything that is written in your contract and guides and in your emails. You have to repeat yourself like a broken record. Just know that there are a lot of ways where things could go wrong so it’s good to be as prepared as possible in case things could go wrong. Show Notes: 00:25 Introducing topic. What does it mean to have a problem client or vendor? What are you willing to tolerate? 00:50 What is a problem client? We all share our main client experiences when we receive push back or issues. 5:23 What do you do if your clients dislike your work? We talk empathy versus protecting your business. 9:29 What do you do when your client won’t pay you? #1 Contracts #2 Deposit #3 no delivery til pay 11:30 We talk our experiences on clients from different price points in the market. Are there different sets of issues that might occur from different markets? 13:25 We talk problems that often occur in our job. 20:00 The importance of questionnaires and qualifying your clients. 20:45 What does it mean to be a problem vendor? 25:55 What happens when vendors use your photos without paying / permission? 32:05 When does someone become a problem vendor? Are there red flags? 36:57 At what point do things go so wrong that you return the money and back out of your project? 39:35 Follow your gut. 45:06 Issues can be greatly reduced by education via managing expectations and communication. You can find Creative Banter Podcast here: Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativebanterpodcast/