I'm another one who generally won't take calls, and absolutely will not do business over IM services. Most serious clients get it — they wouldn't want you answering calls when you're working on their writing, so they don't mind dropping you an email. I have a few end clients (through middle men clients) who always want a quick chat. I try to oblige, but only when I can squeeze it in and if it fits into my work schedule (which isn't a typical 9-5). There's never really a need for it. Everything they want to "chat" about could be handled much quicker via email.

I was discussing the whole employer / client issue with a colleague not too long ago, and another issue that comes up is sub-contracting. It's important to note that you're always allowed to sub-contract your work unless you sign a contract agreeing to do everything personally. Even though I don't sub-contract, I'd never sign a contract refusing me the right to do so.

I think a part of the problem is that a lot of people out there forget that freelancers are business owners — not just some John / Jane Doe sitting around to fulfill their every need on a whim.

Yes, the raw juice world is fantabulous! I am blessed.

Hugs,
Michele

Thanks for writing about this, Lori. I hope everyone takes your advice. 😀

Hugs,
Michele

Wendy, agreed. I have Project Timer to track any hourly stuff. Otherwise, if it's a per-project fee, my time is my business.

Paula, I've seen magazines do that same thing. Frankly, it's nonsense. If you don't want freelancers working for the competition, then come up with an agreement that guarantees them specific amounts of work to compensate for it. I know freelancers who have written for competing magazines using pen names. If the first magazine has turned down the idea, then there's no reason why a writer can't sell it elsewhere, INCLUDING the competition. If they want us to be loyal to them, either make us employees or make us a decent offer of ongoing work.

Lynette, good question. 🙂 I think some do get it, but they'd prefer to push the boundaries. Fine, but I'd prefer to push back. ;))

Same here, Katharine. I've had clients call at 7:30, 8:30 on a Friday night. My brain's turned off at that time, as is my computer. 🙂 One former client called me at 8:30 Saturday morning. Worse, he left a whining, accusatory message that was 4 minutes long on my machine. A) Thanks for waking up the entire house on a Saturday, B) don't think I didn't see that your whining was an attempt to get another free edit out of me thanks to your indecision, and C) don't expect a return call until I'm able to call. I'm available during business hours for everyone. I'm not available at odd hours on weekends when the rest of the world is sleeping.

But the not-so-funny reality is that I did have a client once who behaved like that. He started out very laid back, and then started making crazy requests, like that I talk to him on the phone on a Saturday about a project (even if I work on the weekends sometimes, I don't want to be taking client phone calls), and then finally that I stay logged in to AIM whenever I was on the computer so that he could check to see if I was on, and then get a hold of me right away. Needless to say, I finished the project and then refused any more.

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

The irony is how much total dedication some clients expect of freelance employees, yet their full-time staff probably spends several billable hours per week (per person) chatting at the water cooler, taking personal calls, checking e-mail, or like one of my friends, IM-ing friends. (Seriously, I've had to tell her I can't "chat" because I have to finish my work before I get paid. And her salary is more than three times what I earn – not counting her benefits.)

When I started writing for one of my regular markets several years ago, I was told that if I were to nab an assignment from their top competitor I shouldn't expect more work from them. Yet I've seen editors bounce back and forth between the two publications a few times. Go figure. (I never really wanted to write for their competitor after it went through a bit of a scandal several years ago that tarnished its reputation quite a bit.)

Alot of my time is done using my brain to work out thoughts; they can't track that.Lord, if I were to allow them to track me like that, I would probably only get paid for the actual time typing the words, which isn't much compared to the time thinking the project through.

If you want quality work, don't look over my shoulder. That would prove to be a major distraction for me and I wouldn't be able to do it.