Client Provided Info and Deadlines
If you’re writing for clients, you’re dependent on them to provide the information necessary to get the job done on time. It’s not unusual, however, for clients to fail to provide all the information you need in a timely manner. This is particularly true, at least in my experience, when I ask for additional information.
I don’t know what happens, but when I send a list of questions it often feels like pulling teeth to get the answers.
Basically, this is how I handle it:
- First, I sent off the initial email with questions.
- If I don’t get a response in 24 hours I send a second email asking if they received the first.
- If I still don’t get the answers I need, I send the writing clearly marked draft and with the missing elements highlighted in some fashion. I also send the invoice, just as if everything is done. I note in the email that I will fill in the missing info as soon as I get it.
This way I make the deadline as best I can. The actual completion of the project is now in the client’s hands, not mine, and I’ve asked to be paid for the project.
Once in a great while I’ll actually get paid but never get the info I thought I needed. Perhaps the client thought it was fine without the questions answered, or maybe they dropped the whole thing.
More often, the combo of the draft and invoice gets me answers, I complete the document and send the finished product with another invoice, which is usually paid with no fuss.
Write well and often,
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Tags: clients, fees, freelance-writing, writingRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Business of Freelance Writing, Notes from a Writing Coach
6 opinions for Client Provided Info and Deadlines
Tammy Takahashi
Nov 28, 2006 at 4:13 pm
Anne, how many writing projects do you juggle at once? And what kind of system do you use to keep track of where you are in each assignment/project?
Perhaps you’ve posted about this and I missed it.
Tammy
Anne Wayman
Nov 29, 2006 at 10:27 am
Tammy, great idea for a post… let me sort it through and I’ll natter. Thanks
Kristen King
Nov 29, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Great technique, Anne!!! Do you then send a separate invoice for the additional hours?
Anne Wayman
Nov 30, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Yeah, although most of my stuff is flat fee. Is that what you mean?
A
Kristen King
Nov 30, 2006 at 5:00 pm
I was thinking that if they don’t give you what you need and you’ve done all you can, that concludes your agreement. When they get more motivated, then you’d bill them for whatever else needs to be done. It depends on how you bill it, though, so I wasn’t sure.
kk
Anne Wayman
Dec 1, 2006 at 10:48 am
If, after I’ve been paid for the initial contract they want more, that’s an additional bill.
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