What’s on the iPod: Love the Way You Lie by Rihanna and Eminem
Great day yesterday – I put the finishing touches on the web project, got an interview done, and put out my query for the article interviews. Also, I edited a client project that I was happy to have time for. Life is good when the ducks are in a row.
I received a call from that last client because she hadn’t heard from me. At first, I panicked internally – what had I forgotten? Did I miss something? But instead, she’d sent a project out on Sunday and again yesterday. To date, I haven’t yet received her emails.
She knew to call because, as she said, I always confirm getting something. This time I didn’t, so she knew something was hinky. It saved her deadline and my reputation — I was able to get the project to her the same day, and she didn’t miss her publication date.
If you’re not in the habit of confirming each time a client sends you a project, do so. Here are reasons why that’s important:
Incomplete projects. Had I not been in the habit of confirming, my client would not have thought to call, and her project wouldn’t have been completed. That makes me look bad, even if I had nothing to do with the missing project.
Lost opportunities. Just try not confirming a magazine story – when you turn it in in six weeks, that editor may tell you to get lost. If you don’t say “Yes” to the terms and the assignment, the editor will think you’re not interested and move on to the next writer.
No legal backup. If you didn’t confirm that project and your client decides not to pay you, he could argue it’s because he didn’t think you were interested. And you know what? He may have a point – a legal one. If you confirm, you lock him in to the terms of the agreement, especially payment.
Lost reputation. It just looks flaky if you don’t bother responding to your clients. You could get a reputation for not being reliable, and that alone could kill your relationships.
How has confirming your assignments saved your hide? Was there ever a time when you didn’t confirm and it bit you?
8 responses to “The Importance of Confirmation”
You have hit on a personal pet peeve of mine – in reverse. It's when I don't receive a confirmation on something I sent.
Most of my clients are really good at acknowledging receipt – a simple thank you does the trick. Have you ever noticed the ones who don't confirm are the ones who often declare, I didn't receive it?
I picture an Inbox crammed full of unopened (or molding) messages.
Cathy just said pretty much what I was going to say (other than the inbox of molding messages).
It's equally important for the client to acknowledge receipt. Most do. Others, I follow up with to confirm they received it.
But back up – six weeks for a magazine assignment? That would be nice! Most of my assignments are due in 1-3 weeks.
Ladies, totally agree. If only we could control how they communicate!
Cathy, I'm pretty lucky, too. In most cases, they confirm. There are time I have to chase, though. And I hate it.
Molding emails? Ew!
Paula, I remember the six-week assignments. I just got one, in fact. Four weeks is more typical these days, but most of the people I work with do give me ample time.
I've taken to asking for confirmation… I don't always need it. Sometimes the email is a discussion of the assignment but some things beg for confirmation so I ask.
BTW yesterday I had trouble getting email to both Canada and Oklahoma – go figure.
Oh, and in the case with the client from Oklahoma, when I didn't hear I picked up the phone… sure enough he hadn't gotten it.
I always like to confirm that I received an email or snail mail for politeness if for no other reason. I think it's rude to leave someone wondering for days or weeks about whether you got what they sent. (Kind of like when I sent a wedding gift and NEVER got a thank-you note. I don't need the thanks, but I'd like to know it arrived safely. But I digress.)
I always appreciate the confirmation from freelancers I hire too. And don't forget the financial benefits of confirmation – sometimes, a simple "I received the check" can lead to another assignment because you're staying in front of the client.
Clients who don't confirm when they receive an assignment after multiple requests from me to confirm can be really frustrating. I just had someone "lose" an invoice I sent almost two months ago, but I suppose that's I get for assuming she'd gotten it instead of following up diligently.
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