Stopping damage to reputation

OllysMum_2

Will try to keep this short.

A client I did some work for almost a year ago has been bad mouthing me to someone, who has now told my current (and best) client. This client has told me about it, in good faith. I called the "someone" - it was quite obvious there has been some extensive smearing going on, but he was not for retracting.

The two issues as I see it is the originator starting this, and the person in the middle spreading hearsay. There is a third issue in that I work in a niche sector where it's not a good idea to make too many enemies.

I want to put a stop to this in the cleanest and most effective way possible. My thoughts are a strongly worded letter from a litigation lawyer. I don't have the resources to go down the route of a full blown legal suit, which I don't think would be right.

Any advice? Any idea what such a letter would cost?

Mistral001

OllysMum wrote: »

Will try to keep this short.

A client I did some work for almost a year ago has been bad mouthing me to someone, who has now told my current (and best) client. This client has told me about it, in good faith. I called the "someone" - it was quite obvious there has been some extensive smearing going on, but he was not for retracting.

The two issues as I see it is the originator starting this, and the person in the middle spreading hearsay. There is a third issue in that I work in a niche sector where it's not a good idea to make too many enemies.

I want to put a stop to this in the cleanest and most effective way possible. My thoughts are a strongly worded letter from a litigation lawyer. I don't have the resources to go down the route of a full blown legal suit, which I don't think would be right.

Any advice? Any idea what such a letter would cost?

I would not make any threats of legal action if you are not willing to carry them out.

It looks like you have some good clients who are willing to stick up for you and they will probably be listened to over this other person. People who bad mouth others are ofte ignored.

ILW

Is there any truth in what has been said?

OllysMum_2

@Mistral - All three are very influential in different ways (perpetrator, person in the middle, current client). I do have very supportive clients but they're not vocal in the sector. Understandably, I don't want other current clients involved.

@ILW - none at all.

paddyrg

'Streisand Effect' - don't push to suppress the malicious party unless they're actively losing you money (in which case if you can prove it, sue).

If current clients are happy with you, perhaps you can just have a chat with them along the lines of 'I gather xyz has been making up malicious things about me and seeking to disrupt my livelihood - I trust you're happy with the service you receive and won't be swayed by malicious (and wholly untrue) gossip. Sadly this person seems strangely fixated on me and this is not the first time they've tried to cause trouble - I'm trying to ignore them so they get the message and go away'.

Take the high ground. Or if you can prove they lose you business, injunct and sue, just be aware mentallers won't make for good payers even if you get a judgement.

PlutoinCapricorn

Have you any idea why the former client would do this? Was the work you did not satisfactory?

OllysMum_2

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Have you any idea why the former client would do this? Was the work you did not satisfactory?

100% permanent employee turnover when he joined kind of suggests he was a difficult person to start with. He took credit for a lot of the good things which happened before he even got the job, blames previous team for his lack of progress. Just one of these manipulators - but very good at it.

I'd say, as would many others, that my work was more than satisfactory. However, short memories. I have to protect my own livelihood and reputation. I have no concerns about current clients, only about winning new ones.