230: Communication Strategies for Difficult Clients with Melody MacDonald

You know that feeling when you get crickets after delivering a gallery? Or even worse, when you get the "we need to talk" email from a client? GULP. Moments like those (while hopefully infrequent) can feel like a 10-alarm fire scenario... and knowing how to handle them can make or break your future relationship with that client. So I brought in an emergency expert to help us. With over 20 years as a 911 dispatcher, photographer Melody MacDonald is sharing some invaluable insights into effective communication strategies when dealing with difficult or emotional client situations. Melody talks about the power of active listening: how you can remain calm and non-judgmental when managing a client crisis, and how that can go a long way to preventing escalation. I really love her advice about self-reflection, slowing responses, and not venting on social media before thinking critically about an issue. It's advice I'll be taking into both my business and personal life (read: #teenagers)! This is definitely an episode to take to heart ... and bookmark for the next time you are in a situation like this. Links: Follow Melody on Instagram Share your photography "nightmare" stories for a chance to be (anonymously!) featured on This Can't Be That Hard. Sharing is easy! Just go to thiscantbethathard.com/stories to record yours!Resources: Listen to the Simple Sales Limited Series Podcast where Annemie teaches the 6 steps to running a profitable, sustainable photography business you love. Join the TCBTH Facebook Group - a supportive, business-focused group for photographers. Leave a review!