Comments on: Yet I’m Not Waiting

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:23:00 +0000

Yea, that’s exactly what I said too, Melissa. The first article was a “let’s see if you can write for the industry” paid tryout. That went well, and we both decided to go forward.

It was after that things got ugly. When I asked for a contract, I got a flip “Don’t need that sort of thing!” response. When I pressed, saying yes, I did need that because I wanted to protect his interests and mine, I got the most obtuse “guidelines” for payment and acceptance I’d ever faced. It’s when I said, “No, I really need a contract” and questioned why the rounding down that he went ballistic and I went “See ya.”

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:20:00 +0000

Hmm. I probably wouldn’t have taken a job like that. I ask my clients to provide the word count and I try to get within 50 words. The rate is fixed. For website copy, I charge by the page – one rate for 100 words or less, another for 100-350 words, and so on. I would never go for what your client requested. I think you made the right choice by walking away.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Also, I didn’t mention that this was the same job where the editor expected me to be on IM from 7 am to 9 pm for her convenience. And after I told her I was out of the office for the next week due to out-of-town guests and my kid’s graduation party, didn’t she call the house numerous times – and during the party – to fuss because she needed me NOW for edits. Hey, I gave you a head’s up a week in advance. File your lack of planning under the “not my problem” category.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:47:00 +0000

Susan, I remember that one!

Gabriella, that's just nuts, isn't it? So they would edit it to fit and you'd be penalized for space issues they were having? That's crazy.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:19:00 +0000

I had a client ask for a certain word count and then insist on paying me for words used. It was with a publishing house where I was working with another editor, and he was great and didn't have the same policy, so I put up with it the first time. I submitted 800 words and got paid $800.

The second time, I was asked for 800 words, submtitted the article, and then was told I'd be paid $750. But there was no discussion of what had been cut and why. I was just supposed to suck it up.

The third time the editor asked me to do an assignment, I said I'd be happy to if we could agree on a word count and stick with it. She declined, and I've never heard from her again.

By: Susan Johnston

Susan Johnston — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:03:00 +0000

Lori, you did the right thing by walking away. My weirdest client request was someone who only wanted to pay me for words with at least 3 letters. MS Word has no way to count this, so I would have to do it manually. No thanks!

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:58:00 +0000

I don’t get it, Kimberly. Why do they get offended? It’s business! This is a business – it’s not two friends sharing work over coffee. Businesses require contracts. Would he hire a contractor to put in a $50K kitchen without a contract because the guy has a nice demeanor? Hell no!

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:56:00 +0000

Exactly, Eileen. There's not one single reason why any client should find it offensive to sign a contract. On the contrary, it protects them, as well.

Since the dude in question in my scenario had not signed one, I was not obligated to meet his deadline. I HATE sticking anyone who's against a deadline, but in this case it was unavoidable. And smart.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:55:00 +0000

I meant to say “whenever he needed to submit a new project.”

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:54:00 +0000

I once had a client that I had completed a project for ask me to do another for him. When I sent over the contract, he became irate and told me he felt offended that I would send over an agreement after he had paid me for the last job. He felt that showed he was trustworthy so he should not have to waste time signing contracts whenever he needed to submit a new contract. I kindly explained that signing the contract protected us both and that was how I conducted my business.