What do you say when...

..A prospective client calls with a light manufacturing job and wants a quote over the phone based on their description of the job;

..A prospective client calls with a request for a quote on a job that is within your preferred expertise;

..A prospective client calls with a request for a quote on a job and extracting data about the job is like extracting teeth;

I had a conversation over a couple of beers with a fellow SRN member about the above issues. And, while I am a cheap drunk, I have had enough experience answering these questions that I was able to intelligently participate. It seems that I am not the only one fielding these questions and we had handling techniques in common. Here's a few of the options:

..I don't provide quotes over the phone. I can provide general ranges of prices and they are also listed on my website. I will do a 15 minute consultation at no charge and give you an estimate at that time.
..What is your budget for this job/item?
..If you had this job done previously, what did you pay the previous contractor? Why aren't you using this contractor again?
..I probably have to do a time study on the items. Some jobs appear very simple but become complex because of the fabrics/construction techniques/pattern drafting/etc involved.
..I bill by the job, not the hour, and if it is outside my standard ranges, I will need a consultation to discuss the parameters with you.

My general rule is that if the prospect resists answering these questions there is a reason. Either they haven't thought it through and therefore I am doing the project management work for them or they may know the honorable fare but are angling for a deal. Geez, that sounds cynical as I write it. So help me out. Give me your feedback for the next newsletter by emailing me. I'll screen and edit the postings and include them in the next email. (info@chstudios.com)

One other thought: What jobs you take at what prices is dependant upon the health of your business. And the health of your business depends on what jobs you take at what price. There will be a point that you need to turn down business because the client is shopping for the cheapest price. For every job you reject on that basis, you leave room for more lucrative business. Try it; you'll like it

See you Thursday.
Christine

It's time again to place your ads in for the September SRN Brochure.

Deadline: August 30th If you have any changes to your business information you need to get this to Toni Fitzwater no later than August 30th .

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Here are the instructions if you would like to place a business ad in the brochure to insure your ad will look it's best.

Please provide us your current business card or a camera-ready file of your ad. The instructions for placing an ad are as follows:

Deadline: Sept. 4 for the business card or camera-ready file as well as ad fees. First come, first served. If you currently have an ad in the brochure your payment must be received by Sept. 4. Otherwise, if we don't have the space for new ads, your space will be given to other members who wish to have a new ad placed. Your immediate and quick response will help us with the tight timeline to get this to print.

Cost:
The cost for a business card ad is $30. The charge for sponsor size ad is $75. All ads are dependent on space available.

Where to send check:
Please send your check to Karen Niemi. Follow up with a call or email to advise her it is on its way.
Karen Niemi
9328 Burgundy Circle
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
303 470-9309

Deadline: Sept. 4th. You will also need to send your business card or .PSD file to our new writer/designer, Mary Jo Regier. This must be received by Sept. 4th.
MaryJo Regier
5559 S. Van Gordon Street
Littleton, CO 80127

What to send to MaryJo:
Members and advertisers who've paid SRN ad fees may send business cards or various acceptable file formats as listed below:.
- The original .PSD files (Photoshop files) of the business cards and/or ads -
-Or you can email camera-ready artwork they you have used to advertise in other media forms,
- Or .pdf files PROVIDING the original artwork was 300dpi or higher (high resolution) at the time the artwork was designed and saved as, or converted to, a .pdf file will be accepted for best printing results
- Or original business cards (for quality, high- resolution scanning) .
Please mark "SRN" on the lower left corner of the envelope and include an SASE only if you wish your card or ad to be returned.
For emailed .PSD files include "SRN" in the subject line.

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If you have any questions, please call or email Karen at:
Karen Niemi
Creative Stitching & Designs
Karen.Niemi@comcast.net
303 470-9309

And, if you attend the August meeting this Thursday at Perkin's you can hand a check to Karen Niemi directly.

Members may pick-up membership rosters and brochures at any meeting. New rosters will be printed for the March, July & November 2007 meetings. If you can not attend a meeting, and want a roster or brochure, please email Toni at toni_fitzwater@msn.com, and request it and she will mail it to you.

Membership About to Expire?
To avoid being deleted from the membership list, please have your dues paid no later then one month after your membership expiration date.