The Frustration of Dealing with a Stubborn Client

Right now I'm wishing I could have this tattooed backwards on my forehead so I could see it in the mirror every time I get up in the morning.

I, unfortunately, take my clients' success very personally. Yes, I know that sounds like a good quality in a marketing consultant, but it can be a little overwhelming when you ARE that marketing consultant.

I once had another marketing professional tell me, when a client wasn't happy with her lack of sales, that that wasn't our responsibility. We're in the business of MARKETING. It's up to the client to ultimately sell their services and get the business.

That's been hard for me to remember.

I've recently been in a position where I've witnessed a project that I've spent way too much time on go completely south. I don't think the client realizes it, but I'm somewhat horrified at what the end result of this is going to be. After weeks of stress I finally had to completely let go and say, "What will be, will be. I have no control over this."

It's hard for me to remember that the best I can do is guide and recommend. It's ultimately up to the client whether or not they take that advice or whether they go off on their own.

I'm sure this is true - and frustrating - for so many of the clients I help in the financial services community as well. As financial advisors, I know they have people ask for their help, they create a thoughtful plan, and the client goes off and does whatever they're going to do.

It's a little like watching a slow-motion train wreck.

But there's nothing we can do about it! Our job is to put in the effort and serve people to the best of our ability. We have no control over how it's going to end up.

I could create an amazing marketing strategy only to have a client who is a terrible salesperson and who never seems to gain traction.

I could spend hours and hours on a website only to have a client do a complete 180 as we approach the finish line and there's not a darn thing I can do about it.

I can market my rear end off, but if what I'm promoting for a client is something that doesn't resonate with their audience...they're not going to get anywhere and need to rethink what they're doing.

I don't mean for this blog to sound preachy - I'm actually mainly writing this for myself. I find that if I write things down, I'm more inclined to remember it.

Let's see if this works before I get started on that tattoo.