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:

1. First, I sent off the initial email with questions.
2. If I don’t get a response in 24 hours I send a second email asking if they received the first.
3. 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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