This was back in June this year. I had a great meeting with a couple, followed by a quick request for the contract. They wanted to move ahead. I had a wonderful connection with them, and I was sure all was good. Then, something happened. I don’t know what, but the mother requested a meeting with me. We talked, I showed her some albums, and all seemed fine. She indicated that the contract was ready to go, and she would simply mail the check over. But, then, at the end of the meeting, something odd happened. She said, “You can expect that I’ll should have the contract over shortly.” Should? Should, as in, you’re reconsidering? Or should as in it might take a little while? I didn’t ask, and then, she was gone.
Last weekend, I returned to NYC on JetBlue. Overall, I’m a fan. I’ve heard of things happening to other people. I know they’re not perfect. But my experiences have been good, even while suffering through a 6 hour delay on the tarmac 2 weeks earlier. I had ordered one of their specialty snacks – a trio of cheeses. I couldn’t finish it, which was alright by me. I’m trying to lose some weight, so it was all the better that I only ate half. But if you know me, you know I’ll eat anything on an airplane when I’m sufficiently bored. So you can know that that the cheeses simply were not good.
When I gave them to the flight attendant to throw out, she saw that they were only half eaten. She asked if there was something else she could offer me. I didn’t take her up on it, but I truly appreciated the offer. God bless her. Why are other people not like that in the world? Score one for JetBlue, but for me, too. It felt good to see someone cared.
A couple weeks after the mother left, she called to tell me that they wouldn’t be proceeding with the contract. I was truly disappointed. I not only liked the couple, but it sounded like a fantastic wedding in one of my favorite locations. Could I have salvaged it? Maybe. Or maybe not. But I could feel the hesitation right as she said “should,” and I didn’t act on it.
The lesson? Don’t be afraid to ask people about things. Don’t be afraid if your gut is telling you something is off. There’s a good chance you’re right, and if you’re not, so long as you ask nicely, you’re really just showing you care. Don’t be afraid when you think you’ve done something wrong, either. If you did, it will make your client feel better to see that they matter. Asking questions shows you care, and it gives you an opportunity to open up a new dialogue. I’ll never know if I would have gotten the booking, but I’m convinced I could have. The ball was in my court and the couple was on my side, and I let it slip out of my hands, all because I ignored that gnawing in my gut and didn’t bother to ask.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Knowing my personality type, I probably wouldn’t have asked because I wouldn’t want to seem pushy. If/when this situation comes up, I’ll take your advice and think of it as showing I care. ( :
Yeah, that sounds just like me. I know that so well. But I figure if you’re mellow enough to care about not wanting to seem pushy, you probably won’t seem pushy even if you do ask. Over the years, I keep trying to make myself more assertive – and it’s always (well, almost – there was one time I can think of where it went horribly wrong) worked out better instead of worse. And the more I don’t seem uncomfortable about it, the better it’s gotten.