What’s on the iPod: I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers
Yesterday was a bit of a challenge. I was sporting a whale-sized headache (sinuses yet again) and I finished a ton of work early enough to be tricked into thinking my day was over at 2 pm. Alas, the best laid plans…..
A project revision came in at 3 and sent me into stealth writing mode for the next few hours, which of course meant dinner was late and there was no exercising to be had. At any rate, the original one-sentence assignment turned out to be based on an article that was, well, the wrong one. I was sent the wrong information, which means I have a killer article that can’t be used anywhere. Yet. I had to throw it out for this project, but I’ll find a home for it. Meantime, I had to finish that story, which meant a refocusing of topic, audience, and effort. Luckily I’m billing hourly. And yes, this is the same much-loved client that recently didn’t pay for an article not used, so I’m nervous about the time I’m putting into it. I don’t want to sever the relationship just trying to secure what’s due me.
New writers, that may seem like a really odd thought, but it’s how you have to think. No matter how much you love your clients and their projects, if they don’t pay, they’re not clients. They’re freeloaders. I won’t call this client a freeloader because we haven’t come to a point yet where I have to push for payment. But if they balk this time, it may well end the relationship and the bill will be due in full upon receipt.
I think the point is that even the best people with the best intentions make bad decisions. You can love them all you want. If they don’t pay, you have to risk the relationship and stand up for your business. Period. If you owed them for their product or services, you can bet they wouldn’t wait for payment. If any client ever gives you grief because “We didn’t use it” you ask them if they’d accept that answer from their customers, too.
Oh, and before you hear it and think “Wow, he’s got a point”, don’t ever let a client say “Well, I shouldn’t have to pay because you can use it somewhere else and get paid.” No. If he ordered it and you delivered it, he owes you for it.
Established writers, what long-standing client relationships did you have to turn your back on? Did you secure final payment? Would you work with them again? Why or why not?
12 responses to “Mixed Messages”
I got the "but we didn't use it" excuse one job later. The client paid me for a newsletter article they didn't use, then pointed that out to me the next time they wanted to hire me. They felt it entitled them to a nice deduction in my fee. I held firm and got my full rate, but we never worked together again. So be it.
The only relationship it's hurt to turn my back on is with a graphic designer who has pulled some payment shenanigans. I like her clients but I had to say goodbye to them because she's too shady.
I won't rehash the incident in detail again, but I'm referring to the magazine I'd contributed 2-3 articles per issue for about 7 years. They went 11 months without paying for one article – they were "pay on publication" but kept bumping the piece and still hadn't paid 2 months after publication.
I never wrote for them again. The magazine changed hands (the owner even declared personal bankruptcy). A few years later he started up a regional magazine. I never pitched anything to them for obvious reasons. Then I discovered an editor I like and trust worked for them. She offered an assignment, we clarified the terms. I've done maybe 6 things for them over the past couple years. They're still slow to pay, but usually one terse e-mail from me and they hop right to it. The difference, as far as I can tell, is that the owner trusts this editor and listens to her when she tells him what he needs to do if he wants to put out a quality publication (which it is): He needs to treat good writers well.
even so – I try not to do very many things for them, and won't take on a second assignment until I've been paid for the first.
Now the true test: Will Blogger eat this reply, too?
Your comment lived, Paula! 🙂
You're smart to leave one foot outside the circle, so to speak. I think they haven't quite earned back the trust. The new editor is a help, but I'd bet there comes a point he stops listening to her, too.
Valerie, maybe that client will eventually drop her and find you again. I highly doubt she's being straight with her clients if she's not straight with you.
I had a client try and pull that one me one time, but when I kept my cool and used an analogy to explain my position, they "got it." I explained that if they ordered custom cabinetry for their kitchen, and then changed their mind once it was already made, they still owe the money. Sure, the cabinet maker might be able to unload it, but it would probably take substantial effort and a huge discount to move it out of the warehouse. That custom cabinetry won't fit just any kitchen, much like an article written for one publication won't suit just any other pub.
I love your analogy, Eileen.
That sparked the worst battle I ever had to face in my fist year or so as a Freelancer. An eBook written to specifications was rejected by the client, who claimed they no longer had need of it. They wanted to do something different.
They asked if I would rework it using their "new vision", but said they didn't want to pay extra for it. I declined and asked for payment. They didn't want to pay. After numerous emails back and forth, they inadvertently told me that they sent the eBook to someone else to be reworked. I explained that the rights to the eBook still belonged to me, and that they couldn't rework it, unless they paid for it. It took some time, but I did finally get payment.
That headache is what sparked me to start using a contract and to ask for partial payment before project started. The business relationship with that client ended as soon as payment was received.
Yep, it's official – Blogger hates me. My post was eaten!
Eileen, great post! It's like paint colors, isn't it? You can't order all of them mixed just to see if you like them – you have to buy them first.
Wendy, that's absurd! So you do the work, they don't pay, then they take YOUR book elsewhere? Glad they finally saw it your way.
Most of the time, when I'm done, I'm done. Clean, swift break, cauterize the wound, move on.
Sometimes they beg for me to come back. The contract terms are much harsher and the price is higher.
If there's no kill fee clause, there's a clause stating that the work is paid, whatever they decide to do or not do with it.
Thanks for a great post, Lori. There's such great feedback here I'd love to ask for everyone's opinion on my client problem, if you don't mind!
I usually bill half up front, half upon project completion. A few months ago I signed with a new client. They sent the deposit, no problem.
I include 2 revisions in my fees, so after I sent in the first draft, the client said it's great but they just have a few changes they want to request. That was about two months ago. I've called and emailed and each time they say they'll get back to me within a few days with requests for revisions, and that they're sorry it's taken so long.
At this point, I'd like to wrap up the project and invoice for the second half of the payment because I'd like to get paid (crazy, right?).
I've since changed my payment policy to be half up front, half upon delivery of initial drafts, so the client can take their time with revision requests and I'll still get paid. But I don't know how else to speed this process along.
Anyone ever had a similar problem? Any suggestions for how to handle it?
And don't write with a sinus headache… go to bed! No, I'm not your mother, but…
Natalia, I know how to fix it! Put a due date on that final amount. I had that once, too. The project went on for a year – a YEAR. I did manage to talk the client into paying me a few months before it ended (he was very nice and a great client all the way around), but I learned to put a due date because of that.
Depending on the project, I usually put 6 months out for a book and 2-3 months out for a smaller project.
Hi Lori, that's a great idea, thanks!
Wow, a whole year? That must have been so frustrating. I think 2-3 months for smaller projects is reasonable (and this project is reaching that point!).