Comments on: How to Vet that Freelance Gig

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 19:24:31 +0000

In reply to Gabriella. Good for your neighbor! That's someone who's starved for work. I get it, but I'm not willing to roll the dice just yet. At that price, I wouldn't rush, either. I'd walk. Right into Costco to buy my own carpet cleaner! LOL

By: Gabriella

Gabriella — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 16:45:52 +0000

So true about a rush! Anytime someone wants to rush my decision, my instinct pops up and says, “Whoa! There’s a reason someone wants you not to think about this more.”

Similar story: My neighbor got carpet cleaning bids. The dude said $450, which to me sounded outrageous. But he kept saying, “I can do it this afternoon.” “Let’s get this scheduled for tomorrow.” My neighbor actually said to him, “Let’s slow this down. There’s no rush to decide.” Love that.

By: Diane Wordsworth

Diane Wordsworth — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 15:40:21 +0000

In reply to lwidmer. Correct. The fact I went in high is the *only* sweetener, really. BUT... the end is nigh. If I stand on tiptoe, I can even see it!

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 15:24:40 +0000

But you went quite high. That’s a really, really good thing. Though I’m guessing no amount of money would have been enough, am I right?

Fingers crossed that this ends for you soon, Diane. That sounds brutal.

By: Diane Wordsworth

Diane Wordsworth — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 15:08:57 +0000

In reply to lwidmer.

I believe she asked a few of us to pitch for it and I knew I didn’t want the work, so went in quite high, which is fortunate. Unfortunately, she liked my style! Duh! I should’ve gone in much, much higher, obviously.

The work has turned out to be nothing like what she asked for, though, which I have pointed out to her several times. That’s when she tried dangling the extra cash. I already went in high, I should have gone in *at least* double. Next time, I’m sticking an extra zero on as well!

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 14:52:07 +0000

That sounds like a nightmarish gig, Diane. My word, any time a client has to apologize, dangle money, and give bonuses is an indication that the client herself has the issue.

Were you the first writer, do you know?

By: Diane Wordsworth

Diane Wordsworth — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 13:48:05 +0000

I’m in the midst of a ghostwriting gig right now that was screaming at me from the start to refuse. I’ll know for next time. It’s turned into a right pain in the bum. I’ve told her to stick it twice, but she’s pulled back, apologised and asked me to continue. She’s tried dangling more money in front of me to get me to do stuff quicker or over and over again (so we’re not moving forward). I told her to stick that too, as there are still the same number of hours in the day and throwing a few more dollars at me doesn’t change that. She has given me two bonuses, though, so perhaps my tantrums have hit a nerve. Can’t wait for it to be finished, though. (Soz for essay! lol)