Comments on: What I Did – Broken Appointments

By: George Hunt

George Hunt — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:45:31 +0000

You have to make the client uinderstand that you run a business too and you have to get fees that will pay for your time. I learned the hard way to ask for what I thought was a fair fee.

By: George Hunt

George Hunt — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:42:55 +0000

Anne

Yes answer all ads that seem to be for your work and what you would like to do. Always have your rates ready as that is one of the first questions you get.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:39:25 +0000

I’m learning, George, even more than that I”m also learning it’s up to me to bring clarity to the situation…

By: George Hunt

George Hunt — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:36:51 +0000

Flexible with a steel spine that is my trick. I get offers all the time at rates that are insulting. I have started to let these jerks know that I work for fair rates, not what a writer in a thrid world country would accept.

They either go away or meet my demands.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:48:08 +0000

me too ;)

By: WAHMBrenda

WAHMBrenda — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:32:46 +0000

I’m glad to hear that things worked out so well for you!

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:26:21 +0000

Don’t you just hate that? I’d go back to my client and tell them what’s happening… ask if you can interview someone else or if they have a way to get to him… if I’m reading you right and it’s the client asking you to interview this guy… if it’s truly up to you, I’d take the next best developer and try with him… make sense?

Seven msgs is about 5 too many imo

By: Kristen

Kristen — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:57:50 +0000

Professional AND Effective. It seems like it’s hard to get these two as a combo sometimes.

Question.

I’m wrapping up a huge local project for new publication in my hometown. I have one last key interview to do – a developer in town – and I CANNOT get this guy to call me back. Over the past four weeks I have left no less than 7 messages for him.

All with messages, briefly summarizing my intent and leaving a phone number. I don’t know what else to do.

This morning I even explained that I this wasn’t an advertising sales call, the company would be featured in the editorial content of the magazine.

Sheesh – I don’t even want to give the guy this wonderful press opportunity anymore – though I don’t think that’s my call.

Thoughts?

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:06:50 +0000

Thanks Katherine, you know, when I get wimpy, and it happens, I ask myself what a doctor or dentist would do… that often shapes me up.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:13:05 +0000

Wow – you handled that well and so did she. Thanks for sharing this – it’s a lesson in standing up for yourself. You could have said “sure the weekend is fine”. Instead, you told her you don’t work on the weekend and she readjusted. Very inspiring!