When your client is not responding to you it can be frustrating, and make you anxious and prone to bouts of overthinking. Design is your top priority; it’s your livelihood and your passion. And yet, it’s only one of a million priorities that your client has. Our clients lead busy lives and it’s important not to forget that. Their silence may have nothing to do with you at all. Here are 5 legitimate reasons your client is not responding to you.
#1 An Issue at Work or Tight Deadline to Deliver On
You aren’t the only one with deadlines and work issues, your clients have them too. And they aren’t likely to email or text and tell you about it. They will simply deprioritize design until they can refocus on it. When your client is not responding to you, consider their career or business commitments.
#2 A Sick Child or Ailing Parent
You know that if your child is sick or you need to care for an aging parent, it can royally tip over your schedule. The same is true for your clients and again, they aren’t likely to email or text you about it. They simply step into action and do what needs to get done and everything else is put on hold, including their design project feedback and decisions. When your client is not responding to you, remember they have responsibilities to their family that override their design priority.
#3 A Teenager Heading to College or in College with Challenges
Scouting colleges with your teen takes time (though I did it all on my own, mom was busy on a TV show.) And even once they’re in, there can be any number of challenges that come up including good old homesick in the first 3 months. When your client is not responding to you, consider their family makeup. Do they have teens heading to college or already at college that may have issues that require urgent attention from mom and/or dad? Don’t take it personally.
#4 An Accident of Any Kind
Whether it’s a car crash, a slip and fall, or an unexpected allergic reaction requiring an trip to the emergency room, accidents happen without warning and can entirely tip over a schedule and communication. It’s unlikely that you are first on their list to notify, get over it. When your client is not responding to you, remember that accidents happen. We never wish for that, and it is a reality in today’s world.
#5 A Celebration May Be In Progress
Perhaps I’m too much of an optimist, but I know that clients can also go dark when in the midst of celebrating a big promotion, surprise news of a relocation, a marriage proposal, a birthday or even an anniversary. I’ve got a client with teenage boys who is regularly rocked by their sports events as she never misses one. When your client is not responding to you, you can assume the worst or the best, but never take it personally.
Now that you’re taking a deep breath and realizing that their silence may have nothing to do with you, you can look forward to the next post that will give you the simple steps to ensure your communications are ALWAYS REPLIED TO!
And if you realize that your business isn’t working as well as you’d like and you’d like a complimentary design business diagnostic from someone who knows design inside and out and has over 25 years in the industry, APPLY HERE! I’m here to serve and support your success with proven processes, smart strategies, and resources that drive revenue. Let’s do this!
