Comments on: https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html a freelance writing resource. Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:57:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lisa Gates https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html#comment-272 Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:57:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html/#comment-272 Lori,
Wow. I’d be honored. Asking questions is an occupational hazard for both of us I’d say…;)

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html#comment-271 Mon, 19 Mar 2007 16:52:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html/#comment-271 Leigh, I’m ignoring the fact that I’m to meme. :))

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html#comment-270 Mon, 19 Mar 2007 16:51:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html/#comment-270 Lisa, I am glad for your input! In fact, wanna be the subject of a post? I’d love to interview you!

]]> By: Lisa Gates https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html#comment-269 Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:41:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html/#comment-269 Lori,
So glad you responded. I had a little monster on my shoulder screaming, “who asked you???”

My favorite tactic is transparency. All elephants in the living room, NOW!

Great work, great post.

L

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html#comment-268 Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:22:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html/#comment-268 Lisa, thank you so much for your comments. I can answer your questions thusly (and thank you for asking them – they speak directly to independence v. dependence):

I would (and did) write an email to said client giving bullet points on what I expect from our arrangement. Very detailed, in fact. This client was told when I expect feedback, how I like to be contacted and when I will bill. In her case, she needs some organization help and I’m more than willing to do my part to keep her on track.

Today will be another bulleted email (sometimes busy people just respond better to bullet points) asking for clarifications on ongoing assignments and spelling out more of the relationship going forward. All with a small disclaimer – “Let’s discuss any questions or concerns.”

Gone are the days of relying on others. Luckily (??) I’ve been burned enough to get what you’re saying – take that bull by the horns and steer (pun intended) it in the right direction!

Lisa, you rock. :))

]]> By: A Wealth of Words https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html#comment-267 Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:14:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html/#comment-267 Ahem…didn’t I tag you like 4 days ago?

]]> By: Lisa Gates https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html#comment-265 Sat, 17 Mar 2007 21:45:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html/#comment-265 Hi all,
Okay, someone let the coach out of the closet. Please, please hear these comments in the spirit of contribution. In the spirit of inquiry. I work with people every day in exactly this spot.

I have lots of questions about responsibility, as in, are YOU taking personal responsibility? Said another way, if you were 100% responsible (not as in blame, as in leader) what would you do? What needs to be put in place so that the future doesn’t look like the past?

If you choose not to be 100% responsible, what might future client relationships look like?

Do you spell out in your agreement, both in writing and verbally, what you need to work effectively?

Are you willing to risk losing the job by reminding your clients about their agreements when they start to go south?

Do you give by-when dates and times in every communication?

Here’s the biggies:

What values do you honor when you are definite? When you reiterate the agreements? When you set deadlines? When you choose not to work further when deadlines are not met or when agreements are broken?

What would it be like to tell your disorganized client that you notice he’s disorganized, not getting people to the table, having trouble returning emails and calls? Can you be authentic?

What would it be like to honor your values and risk being fired?

If your thoughts create reality, what do you think your words do?

What if all of your answers begin with the word “I”?

I am honestly interested in your answers, and would be honored to read them.

Lisa

]]> By: A Wealth of Words https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html#comment-264 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 21:22:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html/#comment-264 Carol:

I’m not quite sure how that would work in this case. He subbed out sell sheet copywriting to me and it was a rush project. The day after I finished it, the sheets were printed and his client used them at a trade show the next day.

So I don’t think I can pull off the “I own the copyright” argument here because he had an agreement with his client to transfer the copyright to the client.

If you know of anything I could do in this case, I’d appreciate the tip! You can comment on my blog or e-mail me using the e-mail in my profile.

]]> By: Carol https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html#comment-263 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 20:54:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html/#comment-263 I would also say to Leigh to remind him that copyright doesn’t transfer until the bill is paid. So, theoretically, if he’s used (or uses) your work, you can sue for copyright enfringement, too.

Good luck to both you guys.

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html#comment-262 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:23:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/03/when-to-hold-your-tongue-i-have-this.html/#comment-262 You GO, Leigh! Watch his tune change the moment he gets notice. If you can show you attempted more than once to get payment, you’ll get your judgment. Getting the money may be another matter, but the justification could be sweet!

Or, you could say, “Look – you pay this now and we can forget the late fees.” And give him just a few short days to do so. Then tack them on. Do this all in writing!

Try calling the Attorney General’s office in the state where he does business. It may happen with just one phone call from them.

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