What do you do when...

karenrutherford · Jan 29, 2007

Hi,

I'd like to get some feedback about what to do when you're asked to quote a job, you do, and they don't respond again.

Do you just assume you lost the bid and move on? Or do you email to ask? I'd like to email to ask, but I feel like I did that in the quote and original email exchange. I don't want to sound pushy or angry or self-righteous about the common courtesy it takes to just email a response.

Thank you!!

Karen

Del · Jan 29, 2007

I've always figured they got a better quote. If you have an idea that you were high for the industry then you could send a counter offer but then you are compromising yourself. Why didn't you give that quote initially? Then it becomes an issue of respect, or you'll seem desperate. And if they are just stalling, you don't want to compete against yourself.

You could send them a "help me improve my service" note but I never return those unless I'm angry.

It's all price or service. If you've not been beat yet then they just aren't ready to sign. Ether way I'd wait.

karenrutherford · Jan 29, 2007

Thanks so much!

Exactly what I was thinking, too - about my emailing them!

(I'm not certain it wasn't someone just trying to get an idea on what to charge their own client, either, so I surely don't want to appear like I care. Even if I do/did.

)

Thanks again! I appreciate your reply!

Karen

Del · Jan 29, 2007

karenrutherford said:
Thanks so much!

Exactly what I was thinking, too - about my emailing them!

(I'm not certain it wasn't someone just trying to get an idea on what to charge their own client, either, so I surely don't want to appear like I care. Even if I do/did. )

Thanks again! I appreciate your reply!

Karen

Yeah, it is possible they were just shopping you. I've done that myself.

Good luck henceforth.

clangomatic · Jan 29, 2007

I've found that stalling on jobs can be due to a lot of factors, especially for big businesses. Here are a couple I can think of off the top of my head:

internal politics
sudden loss of budget
no availabilty of internal web/print departments
sudden change in senior management/strategy
client has too much going on
other general internal insanity... (especially in high tech)

By the way, hi there! I usually post over in the Children's writing forum, but I am a freelance marketing writer by day.

dahmnait · Jan 29, 2007

But you don't want to wait to long before following up with them. If you word the follow-up email correctly, then there is no reason for it to come across as pushy or angry. Your first assumption should always be that they are busy and just haven't had the chance to get back to you. Otherwise, kiss the business goodbye.

I always think of it like an interview and I follow-up in a couple of days just to make sure there are no questions. That way I am proactive about getting my name out there. Then I let it go. It shows that I care about the bid.

You don’t want to treat it as if it is a competitor unless you don't want the business. It really could be that the potential client is busy.

Good luck.

karenrutherford · Jan 29, 2007

Thanks for the ideas!

I don't think this is a case of her being too busy, because she sure was anxious for my quote. Needed it in a big hurry. I don't know, but, for some reason, I get the "shopping" vibe. I guess there's no way of knowing that when someone asks for a quote on a project from you. Any hints?

Thanks again for the input!!

Karen

dahmnait · Jan 29, 2007

Most of my quotes have been done in person, which of course takes care of the shoppers.

But I have seen the "I need it now....oh but wait...." syndrome. Quite a bit actually. Every project seems to be a rush and sometimes that rush goes right after they get the quote. She could be waiting for approval, or any number of things. Personally, I would treat everyone as a potential client. The clients should far outweigh the people shopping for prices. If they don't you may want to rethink the market in your area.

Again, good luck. Sorry I don't have any more for you.

karenrutherford · Jan 29, 2007

Hi dahmnait -

While I have ya on the line...

How do you quote in person?

And what do you mean rethink the market in my area? Do you mean price? But I may never know that that's what the issue was.

Karen

dahmnait · Jan 29, 2007

Previously I worked for a small database consulting company. We scheduled a meeting with the client to review their specs before quoting any work. Since I have started my tech writing business, I have kept that policy for the most part. I have quoted some work via phone and email, but I always like the face-to-face when possible.

As for the rethinking, that was really an off-hand comment. Sorry.

What I was referring to is that if you are getting more competitors calling than clients then the market in your area may be saturated. Of course, part of the problem with any of what I am saying is that I don't know what your business is exactly, so all my comments are coming from my personal experience with the database consulting and tech writing arenas.

Hope that clears my comments up. If not, let me know.

karenrutherford · Jan 29, 2007

No, I didn't think it was offhand at all. I just wanted to understand. I have no idea if this was a competitor or not. But I don't think I'd find that out, even if I did email back as a follow-up in a few days.

I do tech writing as well, but, unless it's a bigger project, I've rarely done in-person quoting. I've never even considered it unless it was a long-term job. Maybe I should, though!

(making a note to self - thank you!)

Karen

Thanks!

dahmnait · Jan 29, 2007

karenrutherford said:
I have no idea if this was a competitor or not. But I don't think I'd find that out, even if I did email back as a follow-up in a few days.

Not if they are any good.

I am glad you didn't take it as a totally off-hand comment. It's been a long day and I wasn't quite sure if my tone was coming through ok.

I know as I get into the tech writing more I will probably do more off-site quotes. However, I really do recommend, when feasible, to meet the client face-to-face. It just adds something. I ended up with a long-term project because I met the client for a short-term project. They remembered me. That's what it all boils down to when marketing right?

karenrutherford · Jan 29, 2007

Yup, does make sense!! This would've supposedly been a sub-contract job, though. It was her client, not mine, so would've been hard to request. But, you're right, makes sense to ask for the "good ones".

Kentuk · Jan 29, 2007

Follow up is often necessary and if done right develops relationship and trust that might trump the lower quote. Buyers in business want a successful transaction, they want to know the seller is concerned and will deliver. Most buyers aren't directly rewarded for saving money but get hell if the job goes bad. Touch base often until you get a definitive no and then thank them for their consideration as the deal might still come back to you.

karenrutherford · Jan 30, 2007

Thanks, Kentuck! I think I have decided to follow-up in a few days, just because the curiosity could kill me.

Karen

Good Word · Jan 30, 2007

How long has it been since you gave them a quote?

I don't see anything wrong with following up--I think it's the professional thing to do.

Why not call or email? I just tell 'em the truth, that I'd love to work for them, and want to see what their status is, and whether I should keep them in mind when scheduling work for the coming month.

karenrutherford · Jan 30, 2007

Update: After everyone's input, I followed up with an email this afternoon (after not knowing if my quote was reasonable or not for a few days) and she said she just put together the proposal and sent to her client. No committment, but it didn't sound like it was final yet.

So, I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's input. Whether the project comes to fruition or not is immaterial now, I'm just glad to learn from the experts what I could do better next time.

Thanks again!

Karen

Good Word · Jan 30, 2007

Good luck and keep us posted!

karenrutherford · Jan 30, 2007

Thanks! I will! I did throw in the professional "if we don't work together on this project..." so thank you for the input!

Karen

dahmnait · Jan 30, 2007

Karen,

I am so glad to hear that you followed up and that there was a reason you hadn't heard back yet.

Definately keep us updated.

Good luck.

karenrutherford · Jan 30, 2007

Thanks, I will! And thanks for your input! It was dead-on. (I mean, I don't know how it will end up, but the follow-up was appropriate - you were right!)

Karen

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