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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Question about phone calls vs email...
Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 3:27 PM on 07.27.11 |
->> Last week I received an email from a potential new client asking if I was available for a shoot. They explained everything, and I emailed back some questions. After several emails, we came up with a contract and I booked the job. One of the things she told me she liked is that I didn't insist on speaking with her on the phone and she said "I am so busy and truthfully, I am turned off by photographers who don't return emails and insist on speaking on the phone. Thank you for being so prompt in your emails."
I used to work with someone who would stop emailing a potential client if they didn't give a phone number or call on the phone. I told her I thought this was not smart, and in this day and age where everyone has some sort of mobile device, we are connected and can return emails immediately. I also said how I prefer emails since everything is written out and I am sure she lost some clients.
So, I am curious. Do you insist on talking on the phone or are you ok with handling things via email?
DLR |
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Jack Howard, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Central Jersey | NJ | USA | Posted: 3:30 PM on 07.27.11 |
| ->> Rather than reply in depth to this message, I'll call you shortly. |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 3:32 PM on 07.27.11 |
->> I think both are ok, if done in a timely manner.
I have had clients email me and we've done the whole thing via that.
Working with editors, we've typically spoken on the phone.
As much as I like talking to people on the phone, I do realize people are busy. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 3:43 PM on 07.27.11 |
| ->> *IF* the customer really is more comfortable communicating via emails and can communicate effectively, wouldn't it just make sense to use their preferred style of communication? |
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Lane Hickenbottom, Photographer
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Omaha | NE | usa | Posted: 5:17 PM on 07.27.11 |
| ->> I like that things are written down in emails...it helps to refer back to details at a later date. But I don't see email as a time-saving device. I think phone calls are so much faster if you have to hash over several things and there is going to be a requisite amount of back-and-forth. |
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John Tucker, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Cordova | TN | USA | Posted: 5:54 PM on 07.27.11 |
| ->> E-mail............everything is in writing |
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Mike McLaughlin, Photographer
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Neptune City | NJ | USA | Posted: 6:30 PM on 07.27.11 |
->> I have to say, email for me is fine, once the job is going or after initial contact. I have lost out on a couple of big jobs over the years because someone emailed to see if I was available, didn't hear back from me and moved on. I was available but never got the email!
In this day and age everyone assumes email is perfect, but if I'm the only one who has ever not received an email due to server or host issue, delay, misspelled email, or getting it at home but not on my phone, please tell me and I'll change my service! Email is not perfect. We can handle the details via email, but please call to get a yes or no.
I once had a guy, before email on phones was the norm, email me details of a job for a Friday, and call me on Monday to get the photos. Well I never got the email, he sent it to the wrong address! Job was never shot! If he heard my voice say yes, it would've saved him a lot of aggravation! |
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Rick Osentoski, Photographer
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Martin | OH | United States | Posted: 7:03 PM on 07.27.11 |
| ->> Email is preferred, I even ask clients to email stuff we talked about on the phone so that I have it in writing. |
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Randy Sartin, Photographer, Assistant
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Knoxville | TN | USA | Posted: 10:27 PM on 07.27.11 |
->> I think email can be used as a crutch at times, I really prefer to actually speak with people. I realize that some people think email is faster, but I just do not see it.
I can steer a phone conservation towards what I need to know a whole lot faster than 8 emails.
With that said, I have several clients who apparently can not communicate other than email or text message, so I can roll with that as well. |
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