Poll: On average, how much time do you spend screening a new potential client? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "On average, how much time do you spend screening a new potential client?".
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| | | Less than 20 minutes | Aug 14, 2022 |
Proper due diligence is a must, though over the years I’ve developed a sixth sense for scammers. It usually takes less than 20 minutes, but if I can't really find anything about them and it doesn't feel good, it stops there. I always turn down a job from a potential client if something sounds fishy or too good to be true: better safe than sorry! | | | Samuel Murray Netherlands Local time: 02:18 Member (2006) English to Afrikaans + ...
I check the Blue Board, the WPPF list and often also the PP site for any entries. If there aren't any entries, I spend time adding an entry and asking for responses. It can take a day or two for responses to roll in, so in the mean time I deal with the client in presumed good faith until I know more info... See more I check the Blue Board, the WPPF list and often also the PP site for any entries. If there aren't any entries, I spend time adding an entry and asking for responses. It can take a day or two for responses to roll in, so in the mean time I deal with the client in presumed good faith until I know more information. But on average, less than 20 minutes. ▲ Collapse | | |
I don't think an average is a meaningful concept for something like this. I've dumped clients after years of collaboration when something has changed - often they've been taken over and have gone bad as a result. So in a sense, the screening never stops. I suppose my usual precautions with potential clients take less than 20 minutes most of the time, but I wouldn't call that an "average". My initial "screening" lasts until I've been paid for the first job, however long that takes. | |
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They are often already screened | Aug 15, 2022 |
Clients I actually work for are often already screened - recommended by a colleague or someone I know. On many occasions it takes far less that twenty minutes to decide that I am not going to work for a possible client, so I stop screening and send a quick mail to turn the offer down. Unless it is obviously a scam, in which case I delete and move on. If there is no obvious reason to doubt a European client after a quick check, and they offer a reasonable rate and deadli... See more Clients I actually work for are often already screened - recommended by a colleague or someone I know. On many occasions it takes far less that twenty minutes to decide that I am not going to work for a possible client, so I stop screening and send a quick mail to turn the offer down. Unless it is obviously a scam, in which case I delete and move on. If there is no obvious reason to doubt a European client after a quick check, and they offer a reasonable rate and deadline or ask me to suggest them, I normally accept small jobs. In spite of all the stories of scammers, the great majority are honest people, and I have rarely had trouble getting paid.
[Edited at 2022-08-15 07:56 GMT] ▲ Collapse | | |
I don’t bother. It’s always obvious whether they are legit when they first contact you. | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: On average, how much time do you spend screening a new potential client? Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
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