Comments on: The Very Limited Offer

By: jedi lost

jedi lost — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:49:30 +0000

I am not actually in writing business but in a "sister" business: translating. and i totally agree with this article. i remember once saying "i'd play a game all night long rather than doing this job for this price." but the problem is, it took almost 15 years for me to reach that level. and before that, i really had to accept every offer i had because of my insecure financial situation.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:03:13 +0000

She trusted her gut, Mark. I agree that it's a reasonable response too, but she had the sense already that they had their defenses up. Me, I might have tried just to see how strong the wall was, but she recognized futility and passed. I think that was wise in this case.

By: markkeating

markkeating — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:07:35 +0000

The counter-offer is a reasonable response. Their reaction is all your friend needed to know she made the right decision.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:22:31 +0000

Kim, if it's the place I think it is, that headache is definitely guaranteed!

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:22:00 +0000

Anne, that's a fantastic response!

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:23:12 +0000

I might have said, "hmmm. Guaranteed work? I assume you'd be willing to put me on retainer?" and then just shut up to see what their response would be… I love to push back like that.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:12:01 +0000

Jake P said: Guaranteed work" is code for "guaranteed headache."

Yeah, I agree with you, Jake. When someone says that to me, it's a red flag - or least that's how I've come to see things because of past experience.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:04:49 +0000

Perhaps they'll hire another writer at that rate, and then see what they get for their money. That's what I always hope will happen, and it makes me sad that there are good writers out there who do write for less than what they're worth, so the cycle continues. At least your friend was smart enough to look for work where she's appreciated and valued.

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:07:36 +0000

You know, I so hate when others presume to tell you what you should be grateful for in YOUR business.

But, Wade's right, we often allow our insecurity (especially when we are 1st starting out) override what we know in our gut is not right. Good for your friend for being the one to decide what's right for her!

By: Damaria Senne

Damaria Senne — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:07:01 +0000

Guaranteed work? if she wanted an employer, wouldn't she have looked for a job? I think it was a good decision to walk away and wish I'd had a good friend like you when I was first starting out Lori, to advice me to walk away. Because I have fallen for the "it's guarateed work" line and I ended up working myself to a standstill. Overtime, that kind of client costs you time, money and missed business opportunities that would have pushed your business to greater success, because of the time they take up.