Comments on: If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:10:00 +0000

So Angie, what are your new expectations this year? 🙂

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:09:00 +0000

So far so good, Carrie. I got a one-word response to my detailed note. I'm fine with that (at least it wasn't two words, if you know what I mean). He may not understand the reasons now, but when the next writer gives him similar concerns, it may make sense to him then.

Amanda, I couldn't agree more. Intuition is the best guide. Mine has rarely steered me wrong.

Eileen, I agree with Devon. Since you're on the verge of dropping them, it doesn't hurt to open up and tell them what's on your mind.

Devon, having been up against one "I need to be able to reach you from 8 to 8!" request, I wholeheartedly agree with you. No way. You pay me for that time I have to sit there or forget it.

By: Carrie Wilson Link

Carrie Wilson Link — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:58:00 +0000

How’d it go?

By: Angie Ledbetter

Angie Ledbetter — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:53:00 +0000

I’m with Amanda on the gut-trusting. And that old saw, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” New year, new expectations!

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Eileen, I'd talk to them directly about what makes you uncomfortable. See how they respond. If they don't help come up with a solution that works for both of you, I'd listen to those warning bells. The fact that you're doing 3X work for the price is reason enough to cut your losses sooner rather than later.

In spite of lots of work, figure out how much income you're losing by working for them at that rate.

By: Eileen Coale

Eileen Coale — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:36:00 +0000

I’ve got some of those alarm bells going off right now, and I don’t know if I’m trying to talk myself into or out of doing more work with this client. The client has a fantastic product, is perfectly positioned in their niche, they understand marketing, and they have plenty of work. The downside: I let myself be manipulated into providing about 3X the normal amount of work for the fee, and I had to repeatedly ask for them to send me the signed contract after they’d already sent the money. I am getting totally mixed signals from this client, and am unsure whether to hang in there and assume things will get easier as we get to know each other better, or cut and run now. Arrgh!

By: Amanda Nicole

Amanda Nicole — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:10:00 +0000

Reflecting on this past year, I’ve learned to trust my gut. I’ve turned down potential clients/projects because of a few shady or shaky details that added up and spelled out a warning to me. Unclear details, like dancing around payment dates, or blurred task details or timelines, can cause alarm bells to go off for me.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:49:00 +0000

I don't take jobs that expect limitless revisions for nothing or that demand I am available via IM. I do not do business via IM. I return phone calls twice a day. The rest of the time, the phone is off, I'm mostly offline, and I'm WORKING.

If you want to reach me, email me; I check email every couple of hours. Unless someone's in a life or death situation, it's really not that critical to reach me instantly.

And I tend to avoid life-or-death assignments. I don't want the responsibility for anyone's life other than my own.

Good for you, listening to your instincts and walking away. That was a nightmare in the making.