*Not the actual outfit I wore to my meeting. ;)
Are you reading this in your undies?
Something that most web workers don’t have to worry too much about is their wardrobe. For the most part, web workers can get away with a hyper casual style of dress, if not borderline inappropriate (i.e. I’m typing this in my undies). Of course, when meeting with a client (especially if at your client’s offices), it is customary to dress in the style that your clients in house employees are held to on a daily basis. But, where do we draw this line?
Hiding Behind My Avatar
I recently met with an agency that has been scouting me for some time to come on as a freelance marketing/PR/video/social media/youth culture/whatever consultant. We have exchanged many an email and had more phone conferences than I have ever had with any other potential client. I took these things as good signs; they were still interested in my services and obviously just doing some super due-diligence. A couple of days ago, I got the call that they wanted to bring me on for one of their projects as an outside consultant. Hurray! We faxed contracts back and forth and it looked like everyone was ready to go. That is, until I showed up and met them in person.
Just A Bit of Mullet Flair
As I walked into their conference room I could tell that we might have an issue. I have grown accustomed to wearing designer jeans, t-shirt with sport coat and some style of Chuck Taylor sneakers. I have worn this to meet with almost every potential client that I have ever made and never had a problem. Now that I’m growing out the mullet (and it’s getting longer than pictures do it justice), I sometimes wear a matching bandanna, as well, to keep from having to brush the hair out of my eyes every two seconds. Although, on this particular occasion, I did NOT wear a bandanna and just wore my hair spiked up a little with a bit of mullet flair.
Does Conservative Style = Professional?
Everyone in the conference room wore a suit and tie, which did not bother me, this is a more conservative agency that is trying to break into a youth market. That’s why they hired me. What bothered me was that after talking to everyone and going over our game plan (and remember, I’ve talked extensively over the phone with all of these people), they closed the meeting with a brief discussion about my appearance. To them, I looked like I was “in a rock band or part of a motorcycle gang” (the exact demographic they want to hit). They didn’t think their client would find my style of dress (mostly my hair) professional enough and asked if I would be willing to cut it? WHAT!?! This completely baffled me and I didn’t know what to say, or even if it was legal for them to ask me to cut my hair (what is this, 1955?). I told them that I would think about it if it was really going to be an issue, but that I thought it was a strange request, seeing as they were hiring me to help their client start a conversation with the very demographic that they were asking me to look less like by changing my appearance.
Have you ever turned down a project because they wanted you to cut your mullet? ;)
I only grew out this mullet as a joke, so it’s not like I’m super attached to it. I was thinking of cutting my hair anyway. But, I am also a kid that was kicked out of high school because I wouldn’t follow a dress code that I didn’t believe in. I’m a kid that quit a successful real estate career because they wanted me to wear one of the most hideous shirts in the world EVERYDAY. I believe that a person should be able to dress and look however they want to look. But, I also want to land this account. So, what would you do? If they are going to ask me to change my hair style before I ever start on the project, what’s next? If they aren’t willing to let me identify with the demographic that I’m supposed to be helping them reach, are they even going to listen to any advice I give them? Have you ever run into a similar situation with one of your clients? Would you cut the mullet?
UPDATE:
Alright, so I threw up some blogs, polled Twitter, asked around on Facebook and scoured the social media universe for advice on whether or not I should cut my hair for a potential client.
In the end, there was overwhelming support for the mullet and most people believed that this client might not “get it” and could be trouble down the line.
So, I took all of these online conversations about the mullet to my client just to show them the way conversations grow exponentially about the stupidest little things (like my rat mullet) in the online world.
Oddly enough, this was the best way for me to give them hands on experience with how social media works and unbelievably, they apologized and told me that it was “out of line for them to ask such a question of me.”
And with that, what did I do? I went and cut my hair because I got cast in a print campaign today that required I cut my hair a bit. So, the mullet is now almost non-existent, but at least I did it for a casting role, rather than under the pressure of a client to make me conform.
I guess everyone is happy now. I landed a good print campaign and I landed a client that finally “gets it.” My agent is probably more happy than anyone (she hated the mullet!). Hurray for everyone!
Here’s a link to the new hairdo:
*A hairdo that can be worn wild or business professional!
Just trying out some new types of writing to those who read this far. Apparently, I’m a writer now, so that means I have to find a voice, supposedly. Feel free to tell me exactly how you felt about this style, story, content, etc. Hurt my feelings if you want, I just need the feedback or the people who pay me money will beat me with a bone whip. And if you're enjoying this blog, consider commenting or subscribing for free.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
You are more than your appearance, right? The problem is that this cuts both ways. How you appear to others and how your appearance reflects your sense of identity don’t often correspond. The answer depends on what you want to achieve.
I once had a job where an important aspect was interviewing people. One day I happened to wear a suit. Suddenly people were more forthcoming with information. Suddenly they trusted me more. They would more willingly share the knowledge that would make my life (and work easier).
From that day onwards I wore a suit everyday. It didn’t change me, but it made it easier for me to achieve my objectives. Like most things, it’s a game … but it is one that you can win if you have the right frame of reference ;)
Good luck.
I can’t believe you have to ask for other people’s opinion on this. I mean, when the sweetness that is the Jon Ray mullet makes it’s way into a room, how do people not just faint from how bad azz it is? You are good enough to get other clients if they can’t handle you looking like their target audience. Keep the mullet.
Sure, why not? :)
Cool post. I say just be yourself.
Jim
Unless you’re starving, hell no. :) If they didn’t hire you for you, then what’s the point. You’re a “youth culture” consultant for crying out loud. You’re not their employee (fortunately).
I mean what’s the big deal, cut your hair, get the gig if you really want it…it’s ok.
But it seems particularly perplexing given the reason they hired you and could be a warning sign to run the other direction from the project.
In general I would say you want to look for clients which “get you and your style” rather than those who don’t. I’m sure you’ll find some.
LOLOL
do not cut, unless you really want to. that’s redic. — but be nice to them about it - make sure it’s clear that you understand WHY they would want you to.
haha - i guess they dont read blogs ?
Don’t do it!
If you’re hired as a youth consultant, screw them. Ring them up and tell them you did not realise they were so out of touch with their target demographic and tell them that they are just too old fashioned for you to work with.
That way you can’t lose, you get to keep the mullet and my guess is that they will then re-approach you and ask you to re-negotiate with them. (You now want an extra 10% because you didn’t realise how much work you needed to do to bring them up-to-speed!)
Keep the mullet!
@gavin - Good Advice.
@Lost Werks - You really think it’s “bad azz”?
@Damon - It would be a nice account to land. I just need to decide how much I like looking like the creepy guy at the party. ;)
@johnerik - I told them I was going to pool my social community to see if it was a good idea and explained that these are the type of things that can turn a social media campaign on its head. I think they’re starting to understand how this all works after seeing these comments. It might be the best hands on presentation I could have offered them, so that they really GET it now and we can proceed with nothing but success.
@mark hankins - You’re pretty much making it a sin for me to cut my mullet, now. ;) I’m trying to not be mean about it. I know they didn’t realize what that question would mean to me.
Sounds like they need to stop the madness. What you describe is not an isolated problem. The baby boomer marketing crowd is getting older and too out of touch with many of their demographics. As internet usage and social media grow, it becomes easier and easier for younger demographics to spot what I like to call a “phony” (advertising put out for a specific demographic, that uses yesterday’s tired, busted trends instead of creating revelant new ones.). I am also of the opinion that any advertising should have a life of its own, and should not be made for the purpose of marketing advertising only. It should entertain and be useful, not just exist to sell you a product. Most agencies I’ve seen will never understand this, or you. They will try to change you forever. It’s hair now, next week the chucks will have to go, then no more bandanna.
Don’t do it.
Damn the man, save the planet!
Again I say, save the mullet. Right, I’m off to start a facebook group!