Tips for Communicating with Clients

“Hi

check out my work (website link here)”

.

.

.

I can’t tell you how many times a month I get that email to my agency inbox.

No real introduction, no explanation as to why they want me to look at their work, no other call to action. Chances are this email ends up in the black hole of emails that I couldn’t find a reason to flag. Don’t be that person.

Here are some tips for communicating with potential clients, agents, and collaborators:

1. Check your grammar. Take the time to write complete sentences with intention, commas, too. Blasting off a short cryptic message on your phone does not send any signals out that you are confident in your work, interested in the recipient, nor invested in a response. Lack of attention to detail in your communication will inform one’s faith in your attention to detail for a prospective assignment.

P.S. Some of those creative directors you are writing to might actually be copywriters as well.

2. Do your research. Make sure the person you are writing to has a need for your style or type of art or service. Don’t send your fashion portfolio to an art buyer that specializes in the food industry. Don’t send your illustration portfolio to an agent that doesn’t represent illustrators. Don’t send your gothic editorial spread to J. Crew. (But please do send it to me!🔮🕷️) 

Casting a wide net is a waste of everyone’s time, and a lot of trees.

3. Personalize your message. Art buyers and editors get stacks of promos and dozens of emails every week. Make your communication stand out by personalizing your correspondence to them. A handwritten note still goes a long way. Let them know why you chose to reach out to them specifically, what you love about their brand or magazine, why you think they should look at your work, how it relates to their content or what you can do for them better than the next guy or gal.

4. Call to action. Be clear about what your intentions are. What do you want from the recipient? “Would you let me know if People Magazine is interested in this portrait proposal for the Emmy’s? • What is the best time to call you today to discuss? • Can you give me some specific feed back on _________? • Will you file my name under ‘makeup artists in San Diego, CA’?”

Here’s an actual email that I received this week, we’ll file this under ”zero”:

“Hi 

I am a wardrobe prop stylist

Please take a look at my work (website)

Thank you 

First Last Name”

Let’s re-write it to make this zero a hero:

“Good Morning, Amy,

I hope you are having a great week and staying cool in Texas. I came across your agency website and I admire the great talent that you represent. Let me introduce myself, I am a wardrobe and prop stylist working in New York City and I am interested in collaborating with your photographer, Tania, if she is in need of an energetic and inspired stylist on an upcoming project. I have attached a PDF of my most recent work. Would you mind taking a look and let me know if you think I would be a good fit for Tania or any of your other photographers?

I hope you have a successful Thursday and fun weekend ahead. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

-A Stylist about to get a Reply”

Are you feeling  unsure of how to communicate with your potential clients? I’d love to help. Click here to schedule a free 15 minute call with me. I want to hear about your heroes and zeroes, struggles with grammar, marketing, anything you want to talk about.

I’m rooting for you!

                                                                                            V.

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