The Importance of Client Communication

I trust myself and my skill enough that I can usually deliver about 90 to 95% of what a client asks for. So, I build time and money into every estimate for corrections. There’s always some little bit, upon seeing a finished product that a client wants changed. I call this, receiving notes. I hate receiving notes, but it’s part of the job.

I recently shot a promo video for a cover band, named Vinyl Richie. In terms of notes, they were an ideal client.

Like usual, what I gave them, was largely what they wanted. Then, as a band, they got together and came up with some notes.

Sometimes clients send me really vague notes. Feelings. Impressions. Cryptic, coded messages. It’s okay. I get it. I’m the video guy. It’s hard for them to speak the language clearly enough to always describe what they want or what they feel is missing. In those cases, I have to develop the ability to find “the note behind the note,” as Dan Harmon says.

Vinyl Richie sent me notes that included time stamps, detailed descriptions of shots, and explanations of what they wanted changed. In that sense, they were an ideal client.

Why? Because they spoke the language? No, because they spoke, period. They communicated. They talked to me, they sought clarity, and they were honest about their wants and expectations.

I was inspired. Communication is essential — to any working relationship, to any relationship, period. The client has to communicate and I have to communicate. Communication saves time and money. Communication keeps the wheels greased. communication created a better product.

You can watch the video, here:https://www.facebook.com/vrlexky/videos/1865261983730903/