I have an ongoing contract to write monthly newsletter articles for a client. As per an earlier conversation regarding the theme of the month, I wrote a series of articles for the next edition. Then, I ran into the person who is my contact in this organization. I mentioned that I had the articles written in time for her deadline. She said that she had written some articles herself and probably wouldn’t need my material.
My initial reaction was going to be to remind her that we had a contract and I would have to bill her for my time. Instead, I decided to take a less confrontational approach. (Always a good idea with a regular and pleasant-to-work-with client.)
Since she had not given me specific instructions to write these articles, I told her that I wouldn’t bill her for them unless she used them. I told her I would email them to her and let her look at them. If she chose to use them I would bill them, if not, I would wait for her direction for the next edition.
I emailed the articles and waited. When the newsletter came out, my articles were in it. It was followed by an email requesting some additional work on another matter. Since then, I’ve gotten a lot of work from another department in this same organization.
Occasionally, you’ll have a client that forgets the value that a professional writer brings to the table. At that point you can resell your abilities, or force them to honor the contract. If you’re good enough, your abilities SHOULD win the day. I’m glad I took this approach. If it hadn’t worked out, at least I wouldn’t have burned any bridges.
Showing posts with label email. Show all posts
Showing posts with label email. Show all posts
Monday, May 7, 2007
Sunday, April 1, 2007
“Instant Karma’s Gonna Get Ya! Part 2
(With apologies to The Beatles)
As I said in the last post, “then it got interesting.”
I emailed him and reminded him about doubling my rate.
He emailed back saying that he would prefer the standard rate as he had only used half of my copy. (OK, lesson learned. Bill it at standard and forget this guy. I wonder if he goes to a restaurant and asks for half off if, he doesn’t eat the whole meal?)
Oh, yeah. He would be paying with his partner’s credit card.
Now, here comes the interesting part. I received an email from Pay Pal saying that I had received money from an unregistered payer. Fine, it was his partner’s credit card.
The next day I got an email from his partner asking, “What is this charge on my credit card? I never bought anything from you.” I emailed back and explained the situation. (Notice, I didn’t offer to refund his money. I’m getting smarter.) He must have talked to his partner, because a few days later I got an email apologizing for the mistake.
A day or so after that, I get an email from the original guy telling me to start thinking about the work we had initially discussed. He said he’d be contacting me soon to do this work. Yeah, right Sparky. I’ll be holding my breath while I wait.
The funny part is I am friendly with many of the influential people in this area due to various organizations I work with or belong to. This guy is in an industry where I have a lot of contacts and could have helped him.
How disposed do you think I’ll be to recommending him?
As I said in the last post, “then it got interesting.”
I emailed him and reminded him about doubling my rate.
He emailed back saying that he would prefer the standard rate as he had only used half of my copy. (OK, lesson learned. Bill it at standard and forget this guy. I wonder if he goes to a restaurant and asks for half off if, he doesn’t eat the whole meal?)
Oh, yeah. He would be paying with his partner’s credit card.
Now, here comes the interesting part. I received an email from Pay Pal saying that I had received money from an unregistered payer. Fine, it was his partner’s credit card.
The next day I got an email from his partner asking, “What is this charge on my credit card? I never bought anything from you.” I emailed back and explained the situation. (Notice, I didn’t offer to refund his money. I’m getting smarter.) He must have talked to his partner, because a few days later I got an email apologizing for the mistake.
A day or so after that, I get an email from the original guy telling me to start thinking about the work we had initially discussed. He said he’d be contacting me soon to do this work. Yeah, right Sparky. I’ll be holding my breath while I wait.
The funny part is I am friendly with many of the influential people in this area due to various organizations I work with or belong to. This guy is in an industry where I have a lot of contacts and could have helped him.
How disposed do you think I’ll be to recommending him?
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