Comments on: Are Your Clients Really Getting Your Best?

By: Jon Ball

Jon Ball — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:09:18 +0000

Love this post. I personally hate receiving and making calls to clients.

By: What I’ve been reading online | Samantha Garner, Freelance Web Writer & Editor

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:52:20 +0000

[...] Are Your Clients Really Getting Your Best? from Men With Pens. [...]

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:50 +0000

Interesting. I just wrote a post that took a different approach. Basically, I talked about adjusting my communication style to my client’s. Maybe it’s because I’m a middle child of seven snd I’ll do anything to be heard.

I do shut off my phone when I am in my high productivity mode. I am too easily distracted. But, there are times I really prefer the phone. For one thing, it’s easy to misinterpret emails. And when it comes to writing white papers,live interviews, for me, are so much better.

But, that’s what makes the world go round. Love your blog, James!
.-= Cathy Miller´s last blog ..Health Care Tuesday Throws Out the Salt =-.

By: Aprill Allen

Aprill Allen — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:20:33 +0000

I am totally with you. I don’t like talking on the phone, stumbling over words, talking over my yelling kids so the client knows I’m out shopping. I have one client who always calls me on a Friday. Friday is my day off. I’m out having lunch with a friend and my 2 year old is pulling on my sleeve, yet I feel I need to complete the call or he’ll fire me. I think it’s time to change tack.

By: Naomi Niles

Naomi Niles — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:19:49 +0000

You know, you just outlined the exact same reasons I don’t like talking on the phone either.

I feel put on the spot to answer quickly and I prefer to give more thoughtful answers once I have the time to think through things a little more. Also, I need the reference that email has so that I can go back through again and pick out the points I need, like you say.

Also in agreement with you about the waste of time. For me, it’s not just the time on the phone. It’s the 15 minutes before the call preparing for it and the 15 minutes after it that I spend trying to get back into whatever I was doing before the call.

Huge time suck all around. Some people can work through communication faster by phone. Not I.
.-= Naomi Niles´s last blog ..Introducing Intuitive Designs Version 7 =-.

By: Amy Harrison

Amy Harrison — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:52:06 +0000

I’m glad it’s not just me.

I’m not very good on phonecalls either. I like quiet and I like to focus on my work and the job at hand. I often work with earplugs even if it’s completely silent because it never seems to be quiet enough for me.

So phone calls throw me off kilter. I’m methodical and focused when it comes to my work and have built up good relationships via email, but I know I come across poorly over the phone. I forget details because I’m trying to hard to take it all in, I find it difficult to negotiate and though I do take calls and am polite and friendly, I do my best work with my earplugs in!

I can vouch for James’s style of working. Recently exchanging emails about my website re-design with James has been simple, straight forward and the perfect working style for me.
.-= Amy Harrison´s last blog ..6 Fantastic and Free Productivity Resources =-.

By: 10 Voies de Non encombrer Votre Esprit | Travail Heureux Maintenant!

10 Voies de Non encombrer Votre Esprit | Travail Heureux Maintenant! — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:03:41 +0000

[...] * James d’Hommes avec les Stylos a écrit qu’un morceau intéressant appelé vos clients reçoit-il vraiment votre meilleur ? [...]

By: 10 Ways to Unclutter Your Mind | Work Happy Now!

10 Ways to Unclutter Your Mind | Work Happy Now! — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:46:19 +0000

[...] * James of Men with Pens wrote an interesting piece called Are your clients really getting your best? [...]

By: Deb Ng

Deb Ng — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:02:22 +0000

I meant “there are things that get lost in email” not “lots.”
.-= Deb Ng´s last blog ..b5Media Layoffs Are a Good Reminder to Spread Those Freelance Writing Eggs Around =-.

By: Deb Ng

Deb Ng — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:00:58 +0000

I prefer not to spend all my time on the phone HOWEVER, I also think the phone is essential for good business. There are things that get lots in email and are better clarified over the phone. I can also get a better feel for how my client likes something by the tone of his voice.

With that said, the phone can be a total time suck. I don’t want to get into the whole work at home mom thing because I don’t like to always play that card, but I only have a certain amount of time to work each day – in peace. The phone takes up that time. Therefore, I have certain phone hours. When I need to speak with my clients it’s during the allotted time and that’s it.
.-= Deb Ng´s last blog ..b5Media Layoffs Are a Good Reminder to Spread Those Freelance Writing Eggs Around =-.