Comments on: Writers, What Would You Do? Broken Appointments

By: What I Did - Broken Appointments

What I Did - Broken Appointments — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:52:50 +0000

[...] A few days ago told you about a ghostwriting client who broke several telephone appointments and then requested a Saturday appointment even though I normally don’t work weekends. I asked you what you would do. [...]

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:24:37 +0000

Cynthia, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with working Saturday or Sunday if that’s what you choose… and it’s the choice I’m interested in. In the case I cited there was no need for a Saturday meeting to meet a deadline or anything, it was just that my client had canceled two meetings during the m-f work week and I didn’t see why I should give up my weekend because she had problems.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:43:29 +0000

I’m surprised by the answers. Freelancing isn’t a 9 to 5 job. I find that many of the people I deal with are so busy during the week, the only time they can talk on the phone without interruptions is after “normal” working hours.

That doesn’t mean you have to sit home and wait for her call, but I can’t see what’s wrong with doing business on Saturday – every retail store in America does it.

By: Roberta Rosenberg

Roberta Rosenberg — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:21:39 +0000

Great client, not great money? I’d do the Saturday. Great money, not great client? I’d do the Saturday.
Otherwise, a weekday works just fine.

By: WAHMBrenda

WAHMBrenda — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:20:36 +0000

I wouldn’t break my schedule for her since she can’t keep appointments. Who’s to say that she will even keep an appointment with you on Saturday? I’d tell her “Sorry but it will have to wait until Monday.”

By: John Clausen

John Clausen — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:19:00 +0000

I agree. If you normally don’t work weekends there’s no reason to start now…especially for a smallish contract. When the big ones come in with their delightful six figure advances…that’s when you start working weekends and midnights.

By: Trisha

Trisha — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:27:51 +0000

No, I wouldn’t. You’ve got to draw the line somewhere. For me, it’s working weekends. If you’re available 24/7 to your clients, it ends up making you look unprofessional. And it’s not your fault that the appointments fall through.

I would just tell the client that I’m not available for weekend contact and to set it up for Monday.