Comments on: Repetition is Good for You

By: Laura Spencer

Laura Spencer — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Great list, although I do have foreign clients. Like other posters have said, I require a deposit up front.

Even if you decide to accept a job from a client that fits into one of these profiles, this list should cause you to examine your decision more carefully to make sure that the client is right for your business.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:16:00 +0000

PS With overseas clients, as with many clients, a 50% deposit is required.

Also, I usually have contacts in those countries who can help me if the client reneges.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:14:00 +0000

Oooh, I thought of something else: Do not write "test" pieces for free.

Several sites over the past month have told writers they were shortlisted for the job and had them create material for free, told them they didn't get the job, and got all the content without paying for it.

If they're incapable from telling from your samples whether your style fits theirs, they're not worth the work.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:11:00 +0000

EXCELLENT advice, Jen. Thank you! I agree – there has to be a 50% deposit with foreign clients only because any issue would make it quite hard to collect.

By: Jennifer Williamson

Jennifer Williamson — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:38:00 +0000

Lori, one of my best regular clients is located in England. I wouldn’t say people should avoid clients in other countries, but there is an extra security issue to worry about.

One thing I would suggest is a). Have a clearly stated contract and insist the clients SIGN it by hand (not just type their name in) and send it back, either by mail or as a pdf attachment. Keep all correspondence with the client. And have them pay a 50% up front deposit through paypal before starting. If they don’t want to pay the remainder when the project is finished, you can go through a dispute process with Paypal. I’m not sure exactly how it works, but I believe Paypal will review your contract and all your emails and decide if they should charge the client’s account on your behalf. Again I’m not sure exactly how it works but I’ll find out–I’m going through this this week with a deadbeat client, so I’ll report back.

By: Dina at EntrepreneursBreakfast.com

Dina at EntrepreneursBreakfast.com — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:03:00 +0000

Geat post, Lori! I couldn't agree more about steering clear of overseas employers. It just doesn't make sense to me.

I guess you could charge in advance, and do it by PayPal, but that would mean you'd be working for a flat rate (say, per article or per page) instead of hourly.

Feh. I'm going back to what I said in the first paragraph. I agree with you on the foreign accounts philosophy!

Dina

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:03:00 +0000

Maybe I’m just not finding the right startups, ladies. All of the ones I’ve worked for – all four of them – have been very slow to pay. One had to be threatened. The other took 4 months to send the check.

Aren’t you concerned going into an agreement with a foreign-based client that you’ll be stuck unpaid?

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:05:00 +0000

I agree with all of these except foreign employers. (Pretty much learned my lesson about all the rest.) One of my best ongoing clients is a Korean who lives in England. I would work with clients in Canada, Australia and Western Europe. Anywhere else though, and I’d be instituting some heavy upfront payment, stopgap measures.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:04:00 +0000

I agree with everything except the first two.

I'm cautious with start-ups and tend to demand more upfront money, but I've had more positive than negative experiences.

And some of my highest paying clients have been based in Canada, the UK, or Australia.

Again, caution and a strong contract is key.

By: Marijke Durning

Marijke Durning — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:40:00 +0000

Oh - I have to disagree about the start ups. Although I have been burned by a start up, I've also had great success with a couple.

The trick with the start up is you need to check out what they are really doing, but blunt and ask about funding, goals, etc.

If the project sounds interesting to you and could be promising, I think it's worth the risk. Everyone had to start somewhere and if you're good at what you do, if the start up is a good idea, and the principals are committed, it could be a win-win situation for all.

But, like everything else, you have to do your homework.