Careful now.  I just received an email today where the potential client seems to be in a major hurry to get a quote.  Yes, I know everyone wants their quote yesterday, but it’s always a little odd for me to receive the rush act via email (Red Flag #1).  She is asking for a quote on a large, several page brochure design, copywriting and photoshoping and she says that ‘her company’ is in need of this.  Well, my little Princessant - let’s let’s see what Mr. P. Diddy Google has to say about your name...

Shocker!. Why is it that you say you are from ‘company x’ and when I do a Google search on your name (a very unique name at that), there is a girl with your same name who happens to work for a marketing agency - with a background in publishing and design?  Now, I’m not certain as of yet whether this person is for real or not, but the alarm bells are already going off.  First off, she’s using a Yahoo address.  Secondly, there is a person with her unique name who happens to work in Marketing, Publishing and Design.  And, if she is seriously considering us - wouldn’t she follow up with call?  You see, even though we can’t interpret body language in email, there are still some ‘tells’ that are given away when someone is trying to figure out what others are charging for certain projects.  One of these ‘tells’ is the rush act.  ie. ‘I need a quote ASAP! - can you tell me what your cost would be to yada yada…


I could be proven wrong on this one but remember that online leads (ie. emails) don’t stand up to a good old fashioned phone call in my experience.  This is not to say that I haven’t gained clients via an email dialogue, but stand vigilant against the pricing snipers - they are everywhere!  I’ve spent countless hours coming up with quotes (some very detailed) that, if I would have spent a bit of time quantifying the lead, I would have saved more time to spend on the golf course.

SP