How to handle a situation, it's all about business

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by MSooner

... I cant get behind the idea that a photo proofing session like this is entirely about respecting the photographer's time only.

...but if you don't offer online proofing (and no one said you have to or that you don't) you are effectively holding the client hostage

.

Not providing online proofing is not the same as holding the client hostage.

And respect and courtesy go hand in hand. The person who chatters on the phone and texts is doing themselves a disservice, and they may not even know it. When you order in Sears, the girl walks away. They can call and chat and text. What's the difference? Its your job, as the professional, to educate them. A good proofing session is fun and exciting for the client. It feels awesome. You never get there if the client doesnt value your opinion.

[Flores]

Set your own phone to go off 2 minutes into your session, grab it, look at it, mute it, apologize a few times for your rudeness and promise you won't be interrupted again, so as not to waste their time.

90% of the time, the message is received.

[brad]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

im sorry, but you wait? seriously brad? you wait? what do you do when it passes 15-20 mins of that? or when they get another call and it starts all over again. OMG. id rather slam my head in the door.

I wait.. but like Stacy, I've never had it happen like that. Most recently, I've had a "sorry, I have to take this because..." and one where the person took the call but answered it with "Can I call you back in a few? I'm with the photographer."

Actually, I take it back... a bride and her mother... her mother did one of those phone calls. The bride and I kept talking like it wasn't happening until she finally smacked her mother and apologized to me "I'm sorry, she does this all the time." Didn't bother me... and probably wouldn't unless it was a one on one meeting with the person taking a call like that.... but like I said, that's never happened.

Originally Posted by karakelian

I am an early shower upper! I never thought of this as potentially rude. Though, I usually stay in my car/wait patiently until within the 15 minutes and would never expect to start earlier than my start time.

Ya.. I have a handful of clients that are SUPER early... to the point that I've started making it a habit to get to the studio a full hour and a half before my first appointment of the day. I do think its rude to be TOO early... it shows just as much of a disrespect for time as being late. That said, I aim to be 15 minutes early for any appointment myself... and time it to walk in the door 5-10 minutes early, but I used to be a professional interviewer (I was an independent computer programming contractor).

I also make a point to schedule appointments so I have a half hour to an hour between appointments so that my clients never feel rushed because they are running over or because the next appointment has arrived early.

[MSooner]

Not providing online proofing is not the same as holding the client hostage.

I had a feeling that would get misinterpreted. I'm sorry for poor wording. My point was that the client has no choice but to come in that situation, so their time is valuable, too. That's all I meant by that--not that proofing sessions are bad.

[BenE]

Originally Posted by brad

=========
Actually, I take it back... a bride and her mother... her mother did one of those phone calls. The bride and I kept talking like it wasn't happening until she finally smacked her mother and apologized to me "I'm sorry, she does this all the time." Didn't bother me... and probably wouldn't unless it was a one on one meeting with the person taking a call like that.... but like I said, that's never happened.


========

She smacked her mother?

[brad]

Originally Posted by BenE

She smacked her mother?

Well, on the leg... but the effect was the same - it got her attention.

[BenE]

Originally Posted by brad

Well, on the leg... but the effect was the same - it got her attention.

I can't imagine what that wedding was like! ... Or maybe I can... or maybe I don't want to..

[Princess Pwr]

This is just a suggestion which you might try that I have had some success with. As you begin your conversation or as you see your client taking out their phone... You could "remember" your cell phone, pull it out of a pocket, off a table, etc and make a point to put it on vibrate as you make a comment to the customer something along the lines that while your meeting you would prefer to not be interupted while giving your time to them. It brings to the attention of - and serves as a reminder to - those who have a conscious about others time. It's worked for me a few times.

[BenE]

Originally Posted by Princess Pwr

This is just a suggestion which you might try that I have had some success with. As you begin your conversation or as you see your client taking out their phone... You could "remember" your cell phone, pull it out of a pocket, off a table, etc and make a point to put it on vibrate as you make a comment to the customer something along the lines that while your meeting you would prefer to not be interupted while giving your time to them. It brings to the attention of - and serves as a reminder to - those who have a conscious about others time. It's worked for me a few times.

I am not sure if that is really subtle.
........................

My wife loves to sew, and she is good.

I think I will have her make me a red velvet bag, and embroider the words "Deposit cell phones in this exquisite velvet bag for safekeeping" on it. I figure it would only coat about $15 for the velvet.

Simple, to the point, and sure to appeal to the high end customers.




For my WalMart customers, maybe a plastic bag, and the words written with a Sharpie pen, will be sufficient, and the bags are free... at the aforementioned store.

[Howard Barlow]

Just say, "Can I see that for a moment?" Then, take the phone, place it on your desk, carefully, then smack it with a hammer. Of course, you need to return it. It would be wrong to keep it.