Do you ask your client the right question? Michael Schwarz tells us his thoughts on this question.

Nikon D5, Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG Art, ISO 2500, ƒ/3.5, 1/100

During our FOCUS panel discussion, Michael Schwarz said a mouthful in just a couple of minutes.

When he was new in the profession, he asked clients, “What do you want me to do?” Later he would discover that wasn’t the right question.

Listen to Michael explain this evolution in his career.

“What are you trying to accomplish with this project? Or Why are you hiring me?” is the better question. Which often is met with, “I don’t know, let me get back to you with an answer.”

While the client had a shot list, the better question helped to focus all the content and also gave Michael ideas on how to pitch some of the solutions he could deliver.

So what question do you ask your client?