Comments on: Writers Worth: Ending the Waiting Game

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Thu, 14 May 2015 21:08:30 +0000

There you go talking like a professional writer, Ashley. Careful -- that kind of behavior is habit-forming. :)

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 14 May 2015 19:35:12 +0000

This is great advice that I started following from your example (and others who frequent your blog) a long time ago. I think I even use some of Cathy's language in my contracts now. It saves a lot of anxiety later on. I also include a date in my proposal regarding when an agreement needs to be signed for me to be able to honor the proposed deadline. If they wait weeks to sign, I can't necessarily guarantee the same delivery date as we originally talked about.

I'm very glad I don't wait around for those promised projects, too. Already this year at least two people have been eager to begin work on very big projects, but then they never came through on the contract. If I'd stopped marketing or turned down projects to make time for those folks, I would have lost a lot of income. I figure if they can't get their act together in a timely manner, then they aren't in that big of a hurry anyway. Poor planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on my part!

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Thu, 14 May 2015 14:53:07 +0000

Good one, Lori. I do that, too, but didn't always. Isn't it amazing how getting burned once changes your contract/proposal language? 😉

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 14 May 2015 13:55:00 +0000

I now ask not only what's the next step but when will that happen... doesn't always get solid info, but I'll keep asking until I get something.

I also won't start without a substantial deposit as well as a signed agreement.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Thu, 14 May 2015 13:30:26 +0000

Perfect, Cathy! I love that. I have the deposit one, but the others are just sound business practice. Thank you for the idea!

It gives me another idea: add a line like this: "The previously quoted price is valid for the next 20 days" or something like that. Even quotes have an expiration.

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Thu, 14 May 2015 12:57:38 +0000

It is this very problem that had me changing my Statement of Work and proposals. In proposals to potential clients, I now include in the timeline a deadline for receipt of certain information to meet a delivery date.

For example, Delivery of draft within XX weeks of receipt of deposit. Then I put something like ~

Delivery of draft assumes all requested information is received XX weeks before proposed delivery date.

Once we have an agreement, my Statement of Work gets much more specific with actual dates for things like Call with subject matter expert no later than..., All requested information received no later than...