Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn
I am convinced that the failures we experience are dress rehearsals for success! Nuggets of wisdom are often wrapped in a mishap or poor decision. For example, a little more than a year ago I agreed to make handmade invitations for a client. The time it took to place bows, fold cards, and print text for almost 100 units was a gargantuan task. I, however, completed the job in record time and was certain that the client would be more than pleased. After forwarding an e-mail to announce that the job had been completed, I received no response. Months later, the wonderful invitations became an eyesore as I realized that all of my work had been done in vain. I didn’t feel like a winner in the end, but I did learn something. Think about this:
Show Me The Money
Show Me The Money
After this experience I learned to never begin work on a project without a retainer and contract in place. In the days of yore, when a handshake was analogous to a legal document, contracts were not always needed. Today’s climate, however, dictates that intentions must be followed by tangible evidence – namely, a contract that is complete with a retainer clause and/or “kill fee.†While you may feel awkward about asking your would-be client for an upfront percentage of the total job cost, you will feel more awkward if you have to eat the entire cost of the job.
Closing Thoughts
Everyone is not meant to be an entrepreneur, but everyone is destined for success. Achievement for the Fortune 500s of the world will look very different than success for a start-up with limited human capital, dwindling funds, and production challenges. Learn to be positive, proactive, and protected. Success is just a day away – and tomorrow could be yours!
For more information on Communication on Tapp, visit www.communicationontapp.com or call 202-674-4394.
Michele Tapp Roseman, principal of Communication On Tapp, is an award-winning journalist and media specialist with more than 20 years of industry experience. A sought-after subject matter expert in media relations and editorial strategies, she has garnered client press coverage in national and international media outlets such as : Al-Arabiya TV, Al-Jazeera TV, BBC News (British Broadcasting Corporation), CNN Spanish (CNN News) and the Washington Times.