The lights are on, but is anyone home?
I got an email from a former client of mine the other day, a woman who works at a large organization who is responsible for hiring web designers and developers to work on their projects. She had a project she was trying to find a developer for, and she had contacted several Biznik members via their profiles, with requests for information. Unfortunately none of the members had bothered to respond to her. Here’s what she wrote me:
It’s my first choice to work with one of the many fine folks I read about on Biznik. As a staff member at a big bureaucracy I am actively seeking a compatible contractor virtually. So it’s confusing when I don’t get a response. It makes me feel that Biznik is just a social networking site…a place to make friends. And I wind up with an agency–exactly what I was trying to avoid–because they return interest quickly….
Maybe all the web developers she contacted were just so busy they simply didn’t need the work. Or maybe they (mistakenly) decided she wasn’t a “serious” client and simply ignored her. What a shame.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Yowza! That’s a little scary.
I hope we all take heed from this post and remember that we’re a community–to some degree, we stand together and fall together.
Yes, every indie biz owner is (duh) independent, AND we need each other to succeed. We need our networks. We need our collaborators and referral partners and advice givers. We need our collective knowledge base and web of emotional support.
So I’m glad you wrote this post, Dan. I think everyone on Biznik needs to know that their success matters to you and to me. Everyone on Biznik is part of my success team. You guys do well…I do well. And vice versa. My success is a reflection of my team.
Let’s all keep up the great work!
April 16th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Here here! It’s bigger than you and me – the whole economy needs us to succeed right now. Thanks for the great observations Rachel.
April 17th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Dan;
April 17th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Dan;
I’ve had a couple similar experiences as your former client. Not sure what to make of it. I’m sure there are a number of explanations. But getting no reply at all from someone that you’re reaching out to for potential work is strange….especially for small biz owners in this economy. But getting “no reply” still gives me some valuable info…..next!
April 17th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Have her call me! I am a web designer and I work with a fantastic team of professional freelance web developers, and if I can’t help her, I can pass her onto someone that can.
I was at a Biznik event a couple of weeks ago and we talked about people not responding quickly, or at all, to a possible job offer. I said that if someone connects with me and they want to give me money for something that I like to do, I will get back to them as soon as possible! Doh!
If I am slammed with work and know I can’t possibly take another job in the near future, I STILL call them back and see if they can wait, or if I can refer them to someone else.
If I am out-sourcing work on a project and that person doesn’t respond in a timely manner, I move on to someone else and will probably NOT refer work to that person again. I manage projects and if I have referred someone to my good client and they drop the ball, that doesn’t work for me either.
I am a part of Biznik to meet great people, but my main focus is business networking – with people that don’t suck!
April 18th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Hi Dan,
As someone whose business (residential remodeling) is strangling on the current contraction I cannot believe people would not have the courtesy to reply. Maybe it is time for someone in my group to consider a career change!
April 18th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I passed along your comment, Ritama. I wouldn’t be surprised if you get a call from her.
April 18th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I can’t imagine not writing someone back! Even if I am slammed with work, I always at least refer the person to someone I know and trust if I can’t take on the project.
It is my experience that responsiveness is the key to a lasting business. Maybe we should consider this survival of the fittest?
And, Dan, I would love the opportunity to speak with her through a referral from you. I promise to personally respond to her promptly.
Cheers! =)
B
April 19th, 2009 at 10:10 am
That is surprising that no one responded to her. Maybe she should have contacted the people who write replies to this blog entry.
Not only do they respond to inquiries they even respond to blog postings!
April 20th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I agree with Brandi, no matter HOW busy we are we ALWAYS have the decency to respond. Although I’ve received some very … strange requests from fellow biznikkers over the past few months.
I was going to offer the same ‘help’ as Brandi did, above, before reading her comment so I’ll hold off, but based on her portfolio your friend can’t go wrong w/ aShadow!
April 21st, 2009 at 8:56 am
Thanks for your input into the collective think tank – you too, get it! I am currently spear heading a plan to show people ‘how’ to do just what you suggested…it is what I call the Action Biz Concept – A Sustainability Program….redirect all disposable, discretionary income into local businesses…support those that you know, like and trust – creating a mini-stock market by investing in your neighbors instead of Walmart, Costco, etc.
April 21st, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I think I love you, Fred.
April 28th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Hey Dan!
She contacted me! But I decided not to get back to her as I was too busy/spaced out/on vacation/didn’t feel like it……………NOT!
I got back to her pronto and will be reviewing the project soon.
Thanks so much for the referral!
Ritama