Dear Juan, I would like to congratulate you by your wisdom words. Most of the times comments aren’t so balanced and full with useful content. Nice man.

I full agree with your top idea to benchmark the hotel estimate (imitate maybe is to strong) and try to check why it was good (at least for that one).

And for the above 3 items you add, they are spot on. Specially the first. My worse fear to have a client with me is that they don’t know nothing about the technical side, so for them, sometimes, all things are easy and fast to achieve.

For example I kept hearing (luckily only in meetings) “I don’t have all things neat to shot but you can fix it in post, so I’m not worried…” Well I say also trying to be funny: Oh yeah! don’t worry, I will raise my bill 10x more because of the category special fx, just because someone didn’t spend 10$ in cleaning papers”.

JDG: sorry to listen this story. Only thing that I can suggest: find out why the hotel’s solution was “simpler” and try to imitate it in some next job.
Juan María (composer)

One point, nevertheless: if clients want to get involved in the creative process (i.e. “control you”), this might be also a blessing, provided
– (a) they have a minimum of technical knowledge,
– (b) they really know what they want (not always the ase with hyper-control personalities)
– (c) they know where to stop (if they engaged you it is because they cannot do it themselves)

And it can be a blessing since sometimes constraints can be inspiration, by setting a clear frame to work in.
warm regards –
Juan María / pianist & composer

They told me that all the quotes I’ve send were cheaper than the others they receive and at the end ? They told me they’ve chosen the solution proposed by the hôtel were the conference will be, it was more expensive but more “simple” as they said…..

So yes, add the douchebag category,they’ve made me lose my time and the time of the different rental houses I work with, I’ve fight to get the best quality at the best price and they’ve chosen the hotel which in France does not have the right to employ video technician (in france only production companies can do that).

Anyway, i’m very sad today.

Cheers.

You make a good point Brian. It may be worth adding a factor related to “actual” compatibility. Although, ideally you’d only take on a client you felt compatible with in terms of like-ability, values, etc. In any case, this definitely isn’t “science.” Ha. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.