How can you tell a good client from a bad client?

Sion · 19th December 2006

For a new photographer starting out what are the things to look out for in sourcing new clients?

I start the ball rolling by putting in a few points here:

1. Do not overcommit to too many or big jobs to a client until you see how the first few jobs are being paid.

2. Ask around about the creditability of the new client. (This is going to be difficult)

3. Ask for a deposit (which as a new comer you may not be able to dictate)

4. You can't tell a book from its cover. Some bad pay masters have the most flashiest offices.

Enchanted · 19th December 2006

Sion,

Are you referring to commercial photography ? ... or wedding /bridal photography ?

The former is B2B, while the latter is B2C

[ Btw, welcome to the Club !!

]

Sion · 19th December 2006

Originally Posted by Enchanted

Sion,

Are you referring to commercial photography ? ... or wedding /bridal photography ?

The former is B2B, while the latter is B2C

[ Btw, welcome to the Club !! ]

Thanks.

Most probably the clients will be small ad agencies and graphic designers. Event and wedding photography is not my area of expertise.

Fortunately I won't be competing with you guys in Singpapore.

The market in Sydney is more fragmented allowing small timers to nibble a small piece of action.

Enchanted · 19th December 2006

From my experiences ( many years ago ), the top three industry that are "bad" pay-masters

[1] Publishers [ 6 months or more ]

[2] Hotels [ 5 months or more ]

[3] Advertising / Design Agencies [ 4 months or more ]

Anyway, if dealing with smaller companies, they could help in expedite the payments, however, larger companies are the worst ... ahahaha !

[ Btw, your brand of humour is actually suited for bridal/wedding photography ... really ! ]

kive · 19th December 2006

to me I always ask for a deposit of 20% upfront upon singing of agreement prior to the whole assignment, something you need to dictate and show your client that you have some stand and principle in your trade.

imho no business is better than bad business, which I believe many kakis here can relate to.

cibs · 22nd December 2006

Easy. They pay you everything up front and tell you to take your time in delivering the albums.

manila gorila · 23rd December 2006

: those who can tell what they want and doesn't leave you guessing.

: those who keep telling they don't like this and that yet can't give any suggestions.

: those who demand many things yet not willing to shell out expenses.

DT_ · 26th December 2006

ermmm... not sure if i'll get flame from this.. but the angpow (red packet) you recieve for 'heng heng' can roughly (yes only roughly) gauge for the above question.. well, at least there's a little difference between one who put $4 and another $80 inside..

19th December 2006	#1
Sion Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: 新天地 Posts: 1,014	How can you tell a good client from a bad client? For a new photographer starting out what are the things to look out for in sourcing new clients? I start the ball rolling by putting in a few points here: 1. Do not overcommit to too many or big jobs to a client until you see how the first few jobs are being paid. 2. Ask around about the creditability of the new client. (This is going to be difficult) 3. Ask for a deposit (which as a new comer you may not be able to dictate) 4. You can't tell a book from its cover. Some bad pay masters have the most flashiest offices.

19th December 2006	#2
Enchanted Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 285	Re: How can you tell a good client from a bad client? Sion, Are you referring to commercial photography ? ... or wedding /bridal photography ? The former is B2B, while the latter is B2C [ Btw, welcome to the Club !! ] __________________ singapore wedding photography \| bridal photographer blogs

19th December 2006	#4
Enchanted Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 285	Re: How can you tell a good client from a bad client? From my experiences ( many years ago ), the top three industry that are "bad" pay-masters [1] Publishers [ 6 months or more ] [2] Hotels [ 5 months or more ] [3] Advertising / Design Agencies [ 4 months or more ] Anyway, if dealing with smaller companies, they could help in expedite the payments, however, larger companies are the worst ... ahahaha ! [ Btw, your brand of humour is actually suited for bridal/wedding photography ... really ! ] __________________ singapore wedding photography \| bridal photographer blogs Last edited by Enchanted; 19th December 2006 at 11:01 PM.

19th December 2006	#5
kive Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: eastside Posts: 65	Re: How can you tell a good client from a bad client? to me I always ask for a deposit of 20% upfront upon singing of agreement prior to the whole assignment, something you need to dictate and show your client that you have some stand and principle in your trade. imho no business is better than bad business, which I believe many kakis here can relate to.

22nd December 2006	#6
cibs Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Brunei Posts: 223	Re: How can you tell a good client from a bad client? Easy. They pay you everything up front and tell you to take your time in delivering the albums.

23rd December 2006	#7
manila gorila Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 69	Re: How can you tell a good client from a bad client? : those who can tell what they want and doesn't leave you guessing. : those who keep telling they don't like this and that yet can't give any suggestions. : those who demand many things yet not willing to shell out expenses.

26th December 2006	#8
DT_ Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 893	Re: How can you tell a good client from a bad client? ermmm... not sure if i'll get flame from this.. but the angpow (red packet) you recieve for 'heng heng' can roughly (yes only roughly) gauge for the above question.. well, at least there's a little difference between one who put $4 and another $80 inside..