Clients that don’t understand...

[BlissfulTantra]

Some things come up and rescheduling or canceling will have to be an option. I try so hard to please my clients but they should also understand that I have a life outside of this industry. I recently expanded my services and hours and I’m learning how to structure it. Any of you know what I’m dealing with?

[pmdelites]

blissful,

not exactly, but given details (not that i'm asking), i can understand where it can get hectic.

if you'd like some suggestions ...
* from a time/project mgmt perspective ...
1. structure your week so that there are days/times devoted to your real world and your BlissfulTantra world (they dont have to be the same every week). then, as much as possible, stick to those boundaries and the commitments made in each world. and if something comes up, let your client know as soon as possible so he can adjust.

2. if you need to change dates/times each week, let your clients know so they can plan.

* from a client's perspective ...
1. if you are cancelling or rescheduling frequently, that can earn you a reputation as a undependable provider. and, depending on the client, turn him off you for good. as this is a service industry, customer service is very important to me and prolly a lot of other guys.

2. if you have a simple website, you could post your available there. or use an online calendar/appt booking website (ask some of the providers what they use and what they like dont like about it).
as a client, if i knew when you were/were not available, then again, i can plan. if i dont, it can be frustrating to contact you and then not hear back for 1-2-3 days.

3. in lots of customer service industries, they have SLAs-service level agreements. one of the things in there is expected/target response time. knowing about how long i should wait for a response again helps me plan.


bottom line is state your availability, meet your commitments, and communicate w/ your clients.

if you do those and clients moan and groan, they are either jerks or they cant read/understand your communciations.

good luck!

[BlissfulTantra]

Thank you so much for your thought out and well written response. I’m still new to this type of service and finding my way... hope I don’t get a bad reputation. *singing* understanding is what I need! lol I will get better! Promise! ♥️

[slubby]

Originally Posted by BlissfulTantra

Some things come up and rescheduling or canceling will have to be an option. I try so hard to please my clients but they should also understand that I have a life outside of this industry. I recently expanded my services and hours and I’m learning how to structure it. Any of you know what I’m dealing with?

Remember, this is a business. At least, that's what you ladies like to remind us of constantly.

This is your job.

When I go to work, I don't deal with personal problems at work, or if I do (we all know that family emergencies come up) they are rare. I know that between the hours of 8 - 5, Mon - Friday, are designated for my job. Not my personal affairs (pardon the pun).

Maybe you should try that? Set aside specific days and hours for just hobbying, and nothing more. Let people in your personal life that you are un-available during those hours or on those days.

That's my opinion, take it with a grain of salt.

[BlissfulTantra]

Originally Posted by slubby

Remember, this is a business. At least, that's what you ladies like to remind us of constantly.

This is your job.

When I go to work, I don't deal with personal problems at work, or if I do (we all know that family emergencies come up) they are rare. I know that between the hours of 8 - 5, Mon - Friday, are designated for my job. Not my personal affairs (pardon the pun).

Maybe you should try that? Set aside specific days and hours for just hobbying, and nothing more. Let people in your personal life that you are un-available during those hours or on those days.

That's my opinion, take it with a grain of salt.

Two very great responses! Thank you and I will definitely get better with my schedule. I love what I do and only want the best for me but especially for my clients and potential clients. Thank you ♥️

[VeryClean]

Originally Posted by BlissfulTantra

Some things come up and rescheduling or canceling will have to be an option. I try so hard to please my clients but they should also understand that I have a life outside of this industry. I recently expanded my services and hours and I’m learning how to structure it. Any of you know what I’m dealing with?

I suggest that you don't rely on rescheduling/canceling as an option. Reschedule/cancel only if a genuine emergency comes up and then make sure you explain to the angry client that it's indeed an emergency and not something you do regularly.

Just like you, your clients have a life outside hobbying too and have to clear up their schedule to meet you. For example, back in early June, I scheduled an appointment with a provider. I travel a lot and I'm busy with work so I was super stoked that my schedule aligned with hers and I was finally going to meet her.

I confirmed with her the day before and prepped myself for my meeting with her. On the morning of the appointment, she texts me to push back the meeting by 2 hours. I had scheduled lunch with a friend right after meeting her but no problem, I texted my friend and canceled lunch. Then, around 10 minutes before our new meeting time, she texts me and tells me she has to cancel our meeting because she has "too many things to do that day". I was very disappointed. Took the day off work for no reason and couldn't even have lunch with my friend. She texted me the following week and asked to meet...I told her I'm not interested.

For some of us, time is even more valuable than money so when a provider cancels on us at the last moment, it makes us not want to give her a second chance.

[Richardtx]

Originally Posted by slubby

Remember, this is a business. At least, that's what you ladies like to remind us of constantly.

This is your job.

When I go to work, I don't deal with personal problems at work, or if I do (we all know that family emergencies come up) they are rare. I know that between the hours of 8 - 5, Mon - Friday, are designated for my job. Not my personal affairs (pardon the pun).

Maybe you should try that? Set aside specific days and hours for just hobbying, and nothing more. Let people in your personal life that you are un-available during those hours or on those days.

That's my opinion, take it with a grain of salt.

I have to agree 100%.

But i have to give you some credit Bliss, you come in here reading everyone's advice and responding professionally. I know a few in here who think advice is insulting. Keep up that attitude. It's pretty refreshing.

[BlissfulTantra]

Originally Posted by VeryClean

I suggest that you don't rely on rescheduling/canceling as an option. Reschedule/cancel only if a genuine emergency comes up and then make sure you explain to the angry client that it's indeed an emergency and not something you do regularly.

Just like you, your clients have a life outside hobbying too and have to clear up their schedule to meet you. For example, back in early June, I scheduled an appointment with a provider. I travel a lot and I'm busy with work so I was super stoked that my schedule aligned with hers and I was finally going to meet her.

I confirmed with her the day before and prepped myself for my meeting with her. On the morning of the appointment, she texts me to push back the meeting by 2 hours. I had scheduled lunch with a friend right after meeting her but no problem, I texted my friend and canceled lunch. Then, around 10 minutes before our new meeting time, she texts me and tells me she has to cancel our meeting because she has "too many things to do that day". I was very disappointed. Took the day off work for no reason and couldn't even have lunch with my friend. She texted me the following week and asked to meet...I told her I'm not interested.

For some of us, time is even more valuable than money so when a provider cancels on us at the last moment, it makes us not want to give her a second chance.

I totally understand and will take that into account when scheduling in the future with clients. I must admit, I’ve had to reschedule a few times because when I booked I was trying to please the potential client. I have to be better with that. I do too much sometimes and I should make some changes so it doesn’t happen again. I hope that provider wasn’t me lol and if it was, I sincerely apologize. Thanks for the feedback. ♥️

[BlissfulTantra]

Originally Posted by Richardtx

I have to agree 100%.

But i have to give you some credit Bliss, you come in here reading everyone's advice and responding professionally. I know a few in here who think advice is insulting. Keep up that attitude. It's pretty refreshing.

That you love, there’s always room for improvement so I definitely appreciate the suggestions. My ultimate goal is to please the client. ♥️

[VeryClean]

Originally Posted by BlissfulTantra

I totally understand and will take that into account when scheduling in the future with clients. I must admit, I’ve had to reschedule a few times because when I booked I was trying to please the potential client. I have to be better with that. I do too much sometimes and I should make some changes so it doesn’t happen again. I hope that provider wasn’t me lol and if it was, I sincerely apologize. Thanks for the feedback. ♥️

You're welcome and no it wasn't you so no need to apologize! As Richard wrote, it's quite refreshing to find someone who asks for advice and is then able to take it in such a gracious and mature way. I wish you the best of luck with your expanding business & services! I'm sure you will rock!

[mtabsw]

Congratulations on your initiative!!!

It's very refreshing to have a girl openly discussing the administrative challenges. My opinion is guys like all different sizes, ages, skill sets, looks etc - but when most of the complaints show up - it's not about ANY of those characteristics. I'm guessing over 90% of the complaints I've read on the boards over the years is about what's known as Taking Care of Business - TCB.

As others have said - allow time in your day to handle communications. My personal expectation is a request for scheduling by text or email is answered within a day. Day of appointment communications should be faster obviously,

I'd add a few of my own favorites:

1. Keep your temper - I've heard guys will say outrageous things - don't stoop to their level. A simple "I don't think we're a good fit" is perfect - then block them or don't open their mails. You can't win discussions when dealing with assholes

2. Be nice to your regulars. It's tempting sometimes to push a regular who booked an hour, for some new client that wants the same time for a longer session or offers a higher rate. Thinking he loves you and he'll put up with the disrespect is a bad bet. The long term revenue lost isn't worth the extra cash that day.

3. If you have to cancel - do it as soon as you know you have to. Your
business, but I'd recommend an offer for a discounted next session when you contact them.

4. Try to keep track of what little things you can do that they like - outfits, hair up/down, favorite refreshment. We enjoy the pampering (or at least I do).

More than a few girls have posted about deposits and cancellation fees. As a client - I beg you not to go down that road. Maybe some guys will do so, but I'm not one.

[FatPorsche]

I bring this up because maybe it can help folks.... but there's an app called Calend.ly that you can setup to allow customers to schedule an appointment with a person. It looks at your existing schedule and you can set the availability time frames and days. It could probably be adapted to use in the hobby if someone was so inclined to use it. I set it up to use to arrange conf. calls with clients.

[TexTushHog]

When you un your own business you petty much have to have a rule that “business comes first.” Now there may be exceptions to that, but you need to structure you life such that they are rare. Is you kid is in a horrific collision and is in emergency surgery, that is an exception. “My kid needs to go to the dentist,” isn’t. If I skipped a court hearing because my kid had to go to the dentist, I’d be disbarred. And should be.

[rexdutchman]

A Planning book goes a long way , in scheduling

[SchnellerFahrer]

On cancelling/rescheduling - there are always complaints from both the ladies' and the guys' sides about this, Things happen, right? For me.....

How both parties respond and react to each other makes all the difference in the world to me. If both are professional, polite, and honest about what happened, I have a LOT more comfort in seeing them.

OTOH - to be ghosted, blunt or rude responses, or otherwise is not helpful. I've had some ladies cancel, but...….then never followup (or respond to my followup to reschedule). Why? why would someone ghost a return (good) client's attempts to reschedule?