Comments on: The Writing Client Checklist https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html a freelance writing resource. Thu, 10 Oct 2013 12:23:50 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html#comment-12485 Thu, 10 Oct 2013 12:23:50 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html/#comment-12485 Nikki, been there on both counts. On the first count, run. RUN. The pay alone is enough to make that a lousy situation. That they're not telling you who the client is isn't uncommon — they're protecting themselves from you bypassing them and stealing the client. It sucks, but that's where they're coming from there. But if they've contracted with you, an actual contract, that shouldn't be a problem. Still, they're low-paying fools, so run.

The second situation is so common it's crazy. You race to get things done and one person holds everything up. Do go back to the client and say so. If it's an article and they are requiring this person's input, they need to know you've tried. If that person isn't required, they may have alternatives, or may be fine with you finding someone else. If it's a corporate client, they can light a fire for you. Had that happen just this week. One person was dragging feet, and the project head sent one note and copied me. Within minutes, the entire thing was resolved.

I think that third question applies to the first client, too. 🙂

]]> By: Nikki https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html#comment-12484 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 17:49:21 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html/#comment-12484 I must know exactly when to come over here and catch up on the reading. "Can I work with this person" and "Who is the real client" are top of mind for me right now for two separate projects.

I turned down working with an agency because first off the pay was crazy low (CRAZY LOW)and the agency isn't the kind that will hand out the client's actual contact information so I could get a better understanding of the work. Knowing who the client is would be difficult.

However, on a current, long term project that I've taken on, I'm in limbo. I'm waiting on information from an interview subject. I can only move so far forward before I'm back to the waiting game so in this case I have to go back to client and say that I'm waiting on X from their interview person. So frustrating and I'm not actually doing any work so I don't feel right billing just yet.

Other than that I hadn't even considered those two questions being on my checklist but they are now.

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html#comment-12483 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 17:12:38 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html/#comment-12483 Paula, that's almost hysterical — almost because you and your friend wasted time with these people. I get that people have grand ideas, but damn. Does no one do basic research anymore?

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html#comment-12482 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 17:11:02 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html/#comment-12482 Jake, we did hear on NPR that someone was arrested while jogging in one of the parks — not sure which one. Seems contradictory since parks are public lands.

ANY time you want to guest post! Any time.

]]> By: Paula https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html#comment-12481 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 15:50:49 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html/#comment-12481 This brought up a long-buried memory from my early days as a freelancer. I'd replied to a want ad in the local paper, it was seeking freelance writers for a new women's magazine.

Turns out it was being launched by a young couple, and they wanted to meet at their apartment. That was red flag #1. (Not that home-based publications can't be great, but meet at a coffee shop for goodness sake!)

Another writer friend had also replied. We were both curious, but suspicious so we arranged a group meeting instead. The couple had planned out the sections of the magazine, knew who would be handling what, they even stated a price. But guess what they didn't have? Funding.

No surprise that the magazine never got off the ground.

]]> By: Jake Poinier https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html#comment-12480 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 15:15:01 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html/#comment-12480 Nothing more dangerous than a cocktail-napkin business plan. Works in the movies, but not so much in real life.

Off topic: Didn't manage to get arrested in the park the other day–in fact, didn't even see any human beings–but did see a half-dozen elk and a few cows/bulls that the NPS allows to graze, apparently unbothered by the shutdown.

You're welcome to contact me anytime about the speaking thing. And glad you're enjoying the books, happy to do a guest post on any of the topics.

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html#comment-12479 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 15:00:28 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html/#comment-12479 Allie, that sounds like an army of red flags! You're smart to walk away. How the hell does someone not remember they talked to you? So damn weird.

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html#comment-12478 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 14:59:32 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html/#comment-12478 Oh lord, do I ever hate those "Let's talk" conference calls that turn into additional calls to talk more about the topic we're not talking about in the first place. Drives me nuts when the start that!

]]> By: Allie https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html#comment-12477 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 14:58:59 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html/#comment-12477 A mutual friend introduced me to someone a few months ago that was looking to start a project, but after I talked to him, we found there were a lot of missing elements that he needed to figure out before I could begin working. A few weeks ago, the friend told me that he was "definitely ready" to begin working, so I called the guy back. Not only had he done nothing to fill the gaps of what I'd already told him I needed, but he didn't even remember talking to me in the first place! That showed me he wasn't serious about his project, and raised a lot of red flags for me.

]]> By: Devon Ellington https://wordsonpageblog.com/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html#comment-12476 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 14:01:32 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2013/10/the-writing-client-checklis.html/#comment-12476 I'm about to withdraw from a potential project, because I have repeatedly asked for schedule and financial parameters and been ignored. This guy wants to "talk." I've told him I'm not willing to do a phone conference unless I know the schedule and the financial will work.

To me, this means you don't have them in place, and you want me to buy into your pipe dream.

Ain't gonna happen.

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