ForumsAdvertising, Sales and Marketing

Should I lie to you to get your business?? YES

YES in business everybody lies. From our former President to Bernard Madoff. Maybe, Just maybe that is why the economy is in such dire straights. Big brother lies. The Auto industry lies, Banks and real estate companies lie. Accountants and Lawyers lie, not to mention Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and the other 102
players that tested positive for steroids. Then there is Michael Phelps, the swimmer.
Business has gotten TOO BIG, just look at the cost of a 30 second commercial during the Super Bowl.

Iwrite, As you said, You might not ever be a good business man, BUT YOU ARE A GREAT WRITER and I do enjoy reading your posts.

Keep posting, LUCKIEST

I'll pass. Being in the majority does not always make it right.

Looking at it as a client, I wouldn't (and don't) give you or your "competitors" the opportunity to lie -- because I wouldn't ask you to write ad copy or optimize my website or shot a TV spot or whatever in the first place. Instead, I'd say, "Here's the outcome I want. Tell me how you'd achieve it, what you'd use to measure the progress, when we'll get there, and how much it will cost."

So as professional/business services providers, we can turn the question around and ask, "What type of clients am I seeking -- ones that think in terms of activities, or in terms of results?"

When my potential clients are asking for a service to be performed, it usually means they have "self-diagnosed" (i.e., they have identified a potential problem or opportunity, and decided what they want to do to address it -- but they lack the knowledge, skill, or experience to actually handle whatever it is themselves). The challenges with this are: (a) their diagnosis is wrong a good portion of the time, and (b) every charlatan out there who provides a service that's even remotely related can spot these clients as "easy marks" (so they tell them what they want to hear, because the clients won't know enough to know they're being taken advantage of until it's too late). Trying to win a client like this under these conditions is difficult, and trying to keep one is even harder.

I prefer clients that have a clear goal or outcome in mind from the start. They know what they want to end up with (or how they want things to be), and if they're uncertain about how to get there, they seek proposals from people who have consistently and successfully produced that result in the past. So my track record matters with them -- plus my proposal will be based on what I can do best to help them realize the outcome they want. It's up to them to decide if I'm offering the optimal solution. If I'm selected, however, they WILL get there -- and we'll both be able to take pride in that.

Thanks for the great responses.

Analysight: I agree that going for the quick buck is dangerous but look at how many so-called "marketing/advertising professionals" on this forum seem to be only concerned with the fast cash.

Katsvoice: Not only can't they keep clients but they can't grow them or get paid what they should be. Their actions devalue the services all advertising professionals offer.

Lighthouse: I am always impressed with your view. I was trying to figure out what clients would want and you delivered. I am more concerned and interested in clients who want outcomes. I think you have shown why I need to focus on educating potential clients.

DomainDiva: The fact that people are willing to so quickly and easily toss aside their honor for pennies is amazing. In the end, all I have is my name and I'm not willing to tarnish that for chump change.

I hope more people chime in this subject. I like to see where it will go.