There are times when it's not your fault---but there are times....

Sure, clients can be ball busters. They can exist just to bust your chops, because their feeling is, if they make it too easy on you, you won't be earning your money. These guys come along once in a while and really make life challenging.

But sometimes, it IS your fault. You get sloppy. You get careless. You fall back into old habits because they're easy. Many times when we have to redo a spot three, four and five times, it's because the client is being difficult or just plain surly. But there are times when you just forget the dates and times on a personal event or you don't focus your client and instead, take their laundry list of items back to be crafted into a commercial. Even worse-- you provide your creative team with a website and nothing more than the words, 'take a look and see what you can use.' Or you just don't want to press the client because you're afraid you'll lose the buy.

Never lose control of your client, especially when the creative process is about to happen. Make sure you are clear as to what they expect to happen and what their major problem to be solved is. Most clients are confused by the process of advertising to begin with. They don't know what they can't use all of that 30 or 60 seconds to tell the world everything they need them to about their business. It's your job to stay in control, keep them focused.

There's a fine line between just existing in this business and true financial success. Step over the line--- stay in control. Become a success story.