I'm doing the 16s for a $125 million campaign. I set my trusty battery-powered Timex timer for 16 minutes and begin writing. When the buzzer goes off, I stop and record the increment in my log.
I set the timer for 16 minutes and charge my client for 15.
The 16s: this is what I do when I'm galloping. I only learned to really write a few years ago. I was surprised to discover how fast I could go when all I cared about was entertaining - best case, moving - my reader.
I don't care what a client thinks of my work during the approval stage. This isn't a private confession from me to you, by the way. I try to tell new clients upfront what they're getting.
Sure: correct things. But don't second-guess things. My best clients change nothing but factual errors, and otherwise park their opinions at the curb. They are only interested in one thing: my results. It's about the money. Which is the smart and professional approach.
Many conversations with clients, though, are NOT about the money. They are about some board or committee member's swollen ego or fulsome ignorance.
I read a lot of history. Far more than average, I'm sure. I have an indisputable frame of reference to pass along. You'll be dead soon enough. Don't be an ass.
Uninformed "average intelligence, common sense, I built a company from scratch" opinions cost the nonprofit world a lot of support. "Rank amateur" opinions are more draining than bedbugs.
Best thing? Shut up. Listen. Read.
Comments