Last week I wrote about issues that freelancers wished their clients understood. Now it's time for freelancers to understand client needs.
- My boss practices seagull management. That means he swoops into my office, unloads despicable material on my desk, and soars out, leaving me to sort through and complete difficult, incomplete and never-ending projects. I may not have all the answers to your questions at the first meeting. I'm trying to get this to you as fast as I can, but please be patient. Go ahead and ask the questions, but give me time to get the answer.
- If you don't want a job, don't take it. If you take it, finish it. Don't leave me hanging, don't ignore my calls, don't tell me you'll have it tomorrow if you won't . I actually appreciate advance notice if you are behind, when there is still a way to create Plan B. Being unavailable without warning for days at a time while you are on deadline with my project is unacceptable.
- If a project gets bigger than you thought it would be, and you are going to charge me more than we agreed on, tell me as soon as you know. Don't wait until you bill me. Neither one of us will remember exactly what caused the scope creep. Tell me while I have time to revise the budget.
- In the business world, we often think, "There is a reason people are freelancers." We developed that belief because we have worked with freelancers that aren't professional, couldn't meet a deadline if it arrived in a taxi, don't get along with other people working on the project, and defy the rules of hygiene and common courtesy. Like a bad relationship, it leaves a fear it will happen again, even if you seem normal. A little polish goes a long way, particularly at the beginning of a relationship.
- If you don't work normal business hours, please let me know when I can reach you. If I phone you six times in a day with no reply whatsoever, I worry. You don't write, you don't call, I worry.
- I'll help you find subject matter experts, I'll answer questions. But the reason I hired you is to get work done that I am too busy to do, or don't have the resources for. Please work independently or with my team, whichever I think works best. You can make suggestions, but in the end, I'm making the decisions.
About the Author: Quinn McDonald is a writer and nationally-known speaker who has achieved the "Professional" designation from the National Speakers Association. Contact Quinn through her website, QuinnCreative.com.