A client who canceled a $54,000 proposal a year ago emailed me and said he's ready to re-visit it

[Amerigo Vespucci]

March 2009...this potential client had planned a business merger with one of my other existing clients, hence the referral and opportunity.

The merger went sideways, and with it the funding for the project with me. Did the professional thing. Said that I understood, felt that it was unfortunate, but wished him the best for the future and encouraged him to contact me if I could ever be of service in the future.

This morning, at 2:00 AM, I couldn't sleep. Got up, checked my email, there it was.

A lot has happened in a year...he wants to revise and update the requirements document he sent me, and I know my programmers will want to review this as a "new" project, not one that we looked at a year ago.

The price range I gave him then was $25,000-$54,000...based on his prioritization of the "wish list" in his requirements document.

That's how life works, I guess...it really IS about what happens while you're making other plans.

I've learned that you ONLY count your money when you are standing in the bank, making a deposit. At this point, THIS round of discussions could go South, too.

Or it could end up being a mighty big payday.

We shall see.

:toast:

[Bucky]

1. Damn, what a plot twist!

You're a brave person, hanging it out there and living by your salesmanship. You must've done something right along the way to stay on his radar the last 11 months. Good luck!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

2. Thanks Bucky.

I just conducted myself as professionally as possible during the original discussions, and supported his "graceful retreat" when his other opportunity went sideways.

This has happened before...I've had people who called up out of nowhere, long after what I thought was the "final" round of talks, saying "I'm ready. Let's DO this."

I'm trying to gauge my enthusiasm for this, and the lesson of 2009 is that I still have to aggressively prospect for new business with other clients whether this comes to fruition or not. If it does, I can dial back the aggression a notch. If it doesn't, I don't have to play "catch-up."

:toast:

[hobbit709]

3. Good luck

But don't count your money until you have green government issued pieces of paper in your grubby paws is my rule.