I had a nice email conversation with a blog regular the other day. She was relaying her frustration with bidding a large job. In giving all the details, it sounded like a pickle until she typed this line: “Any per-page rate I try to quote blows their budget away because of volume.” Up to that point, I was thinking maybe a per-hour rate, a per project rate for one-fourth of the project, etc. But that line was the clincher. The problem wasn’t that she was charging too much. The problem was that the client was paying too little for too much.
I’ve done it, too. I get wrapped up in the details to the point where it’s a forest-versus-trees outcome – I lose sight of the complete picture because the details are so daunting. But I told the writer – and I’ll tell you – if the problem is that you can’t manipulate the numbers in order to meet your client’s budget, your client’s budget is the problem.
In this writer’s case, the project was over 50 pages of specialized content. The writer tried like mad to bring her rates to within this client’s budget limits. But in the end, she wisely let go of it. Why kill herself to get to a point where the client’s satisfied and she’s resentful?
It took me a while, but eventually I learned that a client’s budgetary issues are not my problem any more than my budgetary issues are their problem. I can’t help it if the client didn’t factor in a decent wage for the writer. Why should I change my pricing structure to suit his bad planning? If the tables were turned, I guarantee you we writers wouldn’t get away with that.
This writer knew it was time to walk away. She also knew that not doing so would result in her resentment of the project and the client, and yes, probably even herself for accepting less than she’s worth. While it may seem crazy on the surface to walk away from a sure thing, sometimes it’s walking away from a lousy situation.
What have you walked away from? Any regrets?
I walked away from a big monthly blogging contract that required getting up to speed on a VERY technical project, very quickly. I was all for it–but the client refused to pay for research time. He kept saying things like "but each post is only about 100 words long. I could do that in five minutes." But there was no getting around the fact that this project was more than the writing–and I needed to be paid more.
Doesn't that annoy you, by the way? The "I can do it in five minutes" excuse? I get it ALL the time. I'm starting to think of responding with a snarky response like "then why DON'T you?"
From time to time I still wind up with these types of projects because I didn't consider everything involved (and you are sooo right about that resentment part!). But I'm getting better – I walked away from a pretty big one a week ago that was way under priced for the research involved.
I walked away from a blogging job that wanted to pay me $100 a month for a minimum of 16 posts. When the hourly wage turns out to be what I made washing dishes in college dorms, I just say no. But this woman has tons of bloggers and it makes me wonder why all these people are willing to work for so little.
Chantal, that's my new mantra – "When the hourly wage turns out to be what I made washng dishes in college dorms, I just say no." That's golden! And yes, I wonder why people accept these rates, too.
It bugs me no end, Jen. Devon has a great response – "Go ahead then." It's not mean, but it's direct and makes the point that if these people could do it themselves, they wouldn't be asking for help.
Kimberly, way to go! I too walked away from a few last month that weren't going to be worth my time. It has to benefit both the client AND the writer. If it doesn't, then someone's getting screwed.
Sometimes ethics comes into play. Quite awhile ago, I walked away from a person who had requested "reports" in the beginning, but after I started to get the details, I realized this was a homework snowjob.
I did my homework in school. My OWN. Do your own, please.