What do you do if your video production clients and stakeholders are not satisfied with your work?

diving into the heart of what's really bugging your client can turn the tide. Listening isn't just with your ears—it's with your whole vibe. Stay cool, jot down the deets, and get clear on the nitty-gritty. It's all about spinning feedback into your comeback!

It can’t be over emphasize how important it is to listen because sometimes they’re actually right. If you argue, it is far more embarrassing, and much harder to back down and accept their perspective. Try to depersonalize and remember the project is theirs, and they are the one that needs to be satisfied. And the frustrating part, is sometime you just need to make the changes, and then let them see why it doesn’t work. This is great if you’re getting paid by the hour, but not so good if it’s a flat rate.

When clients and stakeholders are not satisfied with your video production work, here are few points that may help you: 1. Listen to feedback and understand their concerns. 2. Communicate openly and discuss potential solutions. 3. Offer revisions or adjustments to address their dissatisfaction. 4. Seek clarification on unclear expectations. 5. Provide alternative approaches if necessary. 6. Learn from the experience to improve future projects. most important maintain a professional and respectful attitude throughout.

Listening attentively to client dissatisfaction is paramount for effective resolution. It's more than hearing words; it's about grasping underlying issues. Active listening demonstrates respect and commitment to resolution. Maintain professionalism, even with harsh feedback. Take detailed notes and ask clarifying questions to understand fully. This approach not only uncovers the scope of concerns but also offers a clear starting point for resolution.

Start by going back and reviewing the initial brief and budget to ensure alignment with the creative work produced. Then, carefully examine all notes and feedback to pinpoint any deviations from the stakeholders' initial vision. Identify the version of the edit closest to the client's current preferences and build upon that. Listen to their feedback and adapt their new requests to better fit the new vision.

The challenge can always be twofold, quality vs perspective. Quality is easy to quantify as correct, because they are measurements and standards, but a person’s point of view is personal, and with a stubborn person, it can lead to a very big standoff. So I’ve learned to just try to give them what they want as much as possible, then they’re likely to come back and work with you again. If you hold your ground, expect to lose a client.

Sweet, now let’s play detective. Is it a personal taste thing, or did something actually go sideways? Figuring that out is key. Look at it from all angles—technical and goal-wise. Remember, the small stuff might be big for your client. Keep an open mind and dive in

After collecting client feedback, thorough analysis is essential. Distinguish between subjective preferences and objective quality or delivery issues. This clarity guides response and revisions. Assess feedback technically and in alignment with project goals. Maintain an open mind; what seems minor to you could be significant to the client. This approach ensures a nuanced understanding for effective resolution.

From my experience, the best way to build good, open communication is to discuss the "feedback culture" at the very beginning of the project. We use the waterfall model, which means that after every stage, we share feedback and "lock" the stages (for example, cast or music). Build a space for feedback and try always to explain to the client why it is needed to make a final decision at this stage of the project.

COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE! Clear, open discussions are crucial in resolving client issues. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Work out a plan to please your client. After all, they are your clients and deserve the best service. Hold your hands up and suggest a variety of options to keep them happy so they don't lose trust in you. I've never had this happen to me, but I've seen this happen with other video production companies and seen much of the blame game. He said, she said! It's simply not worth it. Return to the drawing board and fix the mistakes; all will be well. Show that that you care!

Have them write down the things they want changed, and just check them off the list as you change them. The things that can’t be done, it helps to have them come into the editing bay so they can see why in real time.

Time to chat with your client—lay it out straight. What’s fixable, what’s set in stone, and how the tune-up’s gonna roll. Setting clear timelines keeps everyone on the same page and shows you’re all about getting it just right. Let’s clear the air and get back to creating awesome work

Transparent communication is vital in resolving dissatisfaction. After analyzing feedback, initiate dialogue with your client outlining a proposed plan. Be candid about feasible changes and set realistic revision expectations. Establish a timeline aligning with client needs. Clear communication forestalls further misunderstandings and underscores your dedication to rectifying the situation.

Try to always make your revisions on a separate timeline in case they decide they want to go back, nothing is more frustrating than having to redo what you undid, it never seems the same.

Approach revisions strategically, prioritizing changes that maximize client satisfaction and project goals. Be efficient with time and resources, especially under constraints. Each revision is a chance to enhance not just the current project but also your skills and processes for future endeavors.

Try to wherever possible put ego aside and make the client feel good about the changes they want and show your agreement. It makes them feel like they were able to collaborate with you and they feel better about you as an editor.

Clients are busy, when you present revisions to them, set them up with context. Remind them of the “original ask/objectives”, “what revisions they asked for at the last stage”, and “where you all are at within the project timeline and budget”. Normally this will help them review the content with a collaborators heart and not a bystanders judgement.

Just made those tweaks? Awesome, now don’t forget to circle back with your client. It’s all about making sure they’re nodding along happily with the results. This little check-in can do wonders for your rep and keep that good vibe going. Plus, it’s a neat chance to snag some extra gems of feedback for next time. Who knows, it might even open the door to more gigs down the line!

Following up post-revisions is crucial for ensuring client satisfaction and nurturing positive relationships. It showcases dedication to meeting their needs and provides an avenue for gathering further feedback. A successful follow-up not only strengthens your professional reputation but also opens doors for future opportunities and referrals.

Yes, it is important to put ego aside when dealing in business in most cases. Clear direct line of communication should be established so people know who they are dealing with and are not apprehensible due definite clear line of chain of command. Better to deal directly with the person in charge to avoid hiccups and unnecessary delays born out of confusion.

No stress, it’s all part of the growth game. Take a moment to mull over what went sideways and how you can dodge it next time. Maybe it’s tweaking how you chat or shaking up your process. Every hiccup's got a lesson tucked inside—grab it and level up your video magic.

Read your briefs/RFP carefully, they often are a giveaway for what it will be like working with that client. If you don’t understand them, there is a good chance the client doesn’t really know what they want. In this case ask lots of questions, offer to help them write their creative brief… often people know what they want, but not how to articulate it. If after your probing and helping you are still confused, don’t take the job unless it’s hourly and you are very patient.

We often forget that when we are hired to create for a client, that client has a boss. And maybe that boss has his boss too. A client can only do so much as to coordinate a shoot to the best of her ability with your expertise, but she'll need to review that video with her manager(s). Often a lot of what upper management envisions is lost in communication along the way. Realistically, some people can't make a proper call until they see the final outcome. Make sure your ideas are approved along the way. Keep all stakeholders updated with what is happening (which actors are selected, which version of the script is used, which creative samples you're drawing from, etc.). But ultimately, a lot can be out of your hands and is rarely your fault.