Rather than sending a PDF proof via email or long emails and text messages, I made appointments and got in my car and drove to the client. I'd meet them to show proofs, give presentations, pitch/sell ideas, have lunch, sit in their conference rooms to listen to their ideas, walk their show rooms, etc. My ideas and work were important. Me showing up made it important to the client. Although efficient, I wonder if by sending a PDF via email and presenting virtually or digitally I am devaluing my work. After all if I am not treating the work I create as something of value — something worthwhile for me to take time for — why should the client?
Then there is the networking opportunity that missed when you are not present.
When I am in a clients office I often run into someone else I end up eventually working for or partnering with. Yes, I suppose there are great benefits to not having to travel to meet someone — it’s a great saver of time, fuel and presentation material (PDF's and PowerPoint are both terrific!) and I love never having to take off my house slippers. I will have to admit my presentation skills are getting rusty but more so, I miss the possibility of exchange that goes on around the meeting — I think that is the fine art of doing business which is lost in this digital world.
I didn’t start this message to discuss this topic but what are your thoughts? (I was going to talk about how exciting it is to have a diverse client base.) I appreciate everything technology has brought to my studio and I use it to it’s fullest. For me, somewhere along the line i have moved too far way from client contact when it comes to my work. I think it is time to be present with my work again and not be a faceless person sending files to be approved by client to whom I don’t meet with regularly. I believe that if I, as the creative, expect my client to value and respect my work I first must show them I value and respect it.