Comments on: How to Succeed in Freelancing: Say No to Fast Work

By: Samuel MacLachlan

Samuel MacLachlan — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:02:17 +0000

@Karen, I know exactly what that is like. I had a client who needed a website content update that was going to take 3 weeks. It has now been around 3 or more months, because I am waiting on info from the client.

By: Simon Townley

Simon Townley — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:26:08 +0000

Pretend it’ll take three days, then write it in an hour and a half. Delay sending it, to make it look like it took ages. Charge accordingly.
.-= Simon Townley´s last blog ..Scribe – the SEO tool for writers =-.

By: Karen Marcus

Karen Marcus — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:42:33 +0000

The “rush job” is absolutely one of those components of freelancing that can become problematic if you don’t find an appropriate way to handle it. I’ve found that (a) 99% of client deadlines are arbitrary, and can be adjusted, and (b) 99% of clients who tell you they need the work done yesterday will find a way (e.g. repeatedly reschedule meetings, fail to send promised information) to bring the project to a grinding halt once you drop everything for them. For these reasons, I have gravitated toward a “no rush jobs” policy. I make exceptions for existing clients who normally give me reasonable deadlines, because I know that when they say “rush,” they really mean it, and that they are going to give me the support I need to quickly complete their projects.
.-= Karen Marcus´s last blog ..How to Write a Fantastic First Draft =-.

By: Wendy Sullivan

Wendy Sullivan — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:53:44 +0000

@Joe R Bitch Tax? Man, I’d love to see THAT line item on your invoices!

W
.-= Wendy Sullivan´s last blog ..Holy Taco! Break Studios is Hiring! =-.

By: joe rozsa

joe rozsa — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:51:19 +0000

Personally… I don’t mind doing rush jobs. Although I learned long ago NOT to drop everything and do it. I don’t generally wait 48 hours, maybe 36 or so… I like to clear the decks and not have those things hanging around. But something I learned long ago too was to charge for those rush jobs. I like to call it a bitch tax, although not to my client. You’re bitching at me because you didn’t do something and now you need it in a hurry? Well then, a bitch tax will be applied.

By: Thibaut Allender

Thibaut Allender — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:12:21 +0000

@James depends on what you are billing $500. One hour? I did 1000EUR/hour one time, but it was only one hour . I was at the ohter end of the world on vacations, warned every client I wasn’t available AT ALL. But, one of them decided to hire a junior to take over my job. Of course he messed the whole thing up. The friend I was with told me “hey, look, Marc is looking for a developer, it’s a mega-rush”. They didn’t asked me to do it but they were looking for someone who could fix it at any (well, nearly) price. “OK tell me I’m taking the job”. It took me only one hour to do it, because I knew how to fix it. So, rush hours aren’t always bad!

By: Valerie Alexander

Valerie Alexander — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:55:07 +0000

I’m pretty good at deflecting clients whose default setting is “crisis.” But when a good client genuinely needs help fast, I will do what I can to help out – and yes, it will involve a rush fee, as I’m giving them an evening or weekend that’s normally “me time.” The decision basically comes down to my schedule and our relationship.

I’m really enjoying this series.
.-= Valerie Alexander´s last blog ..Fiction Rules =-.

By: Wendy Sullivan

Wendy Sullivan — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:34:37 +0000

@Heike – tell me about it! It took me two years to get past that attitude.
.-= Wendy Sullivan´s last blog ..Holy Taco! Break Studios is Hiring! =-.

By: Michael Martine

Michael Martine — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:31:28 +0000

"There seems to have been a misunderstanding. You see, this isn't a negotiation. This is me telling you how it works."

THAT'S AWESOME. Thanks for sharing that! .-= Michael Martine´s last blog ..Is Your Business Blogging Attracting the Wrong Crowd? =-.

By: James

James — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:04:04 +0000

@Henry – You’re very right that saying no builds confidence. We become clearer on what works for us and what doesn’t, and when we see the world doesn’t end with a little “no”, then we say no more often. And yes, and no, and yes. And we ultimately create an environment and process we enjoy and that works well all around.

@Michael – I use it all the time now, not even in freelancing. “If you want to have a play date, I’m all up for it. Give me a call 48 hours before and I’ll schedule that in.” HA!

@Thibaut – I once gave a client a rush fee of $500. Oddly, it wasn’t such a rush anymore…

@Poch – I can only think of one case where fast is good, and that’s the Olympics.

@Sarah – It’s a tough one to get used to, actually, especially when you always want to “be there” for clients. When you realize you already ARE there for them, just not at their beck and call, then it’s all good. And on those days you CAN fit in something fast? Well, they love you double for it.

@Stacey – Taylor says I need to remind myself more often that I’m not God, but somehow, I think she has it all wrong

@Adam – That’s actually a very interesting strategy – how do you work that? “Call me back in seven days?” or, “I’ll contact you in seven days…?”

@Wendi – I don’t know about power of control or destiny, but hey, that works for me!

@Michael – Hehe, I once read in a book… “There seems to have been a misunderstanding. You see, this isn’t a negotiation. This is me telling you how it works.”

@Heike – That’s very true. Start with small things, baby steps, little “no”s that aren’t really freakout material. Like Henry said, you build on it and it’s golden from there!