F**k stress

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  • mantrakid0

    When quoting on work, I do my best to say I can have it done by an exact date. I say I need 2 weeks to do my thing (and always at least double it) so if i can get it done in 1 week, I say 2 weeks. If it'll take me a day I say I'll need 2-3 days. An hour, I'll have it to you tomorrow.

    Now when the client says they need it by December 10th, and I already said I need a week to do the work, i make sure they are 100% crystal clear on the fact that if they don't have everything to me by December 3rd, there's no way im hitting their deadline unless they're paying a premium / rush fee.

    Likewise with revisions / approvals. If you send something and they need it for friday but you dont hear from them for 4 days after you send it and they hit you up thursday with a shitload of changes, you have a right to say that its unreasonable, and requires a premium / rush fee for that work.

    You can only go so far pleasing them... youre no good to anyone dead / crazy.

    • yessirdoesnotexist
    • actually re-reading i meant to say I do my best to NOT say I can have it done by an exact date.mantrakid
    • Nowhere near enough project managers stand up for their designers when it comes to deadlines. Most of them are pussies.Retro
    • are pussies and the designers end up working their asses off.Retro
    • Retro is rightmonospaced
  • Akagiyama0
  • formed0

    Deadlines - I agree with most of what mantrakid says above, BUT I will never, ever put a specific date in a contract. Too many things can go wrong and that could be used as a reason not to pay (or worse).

    For my company, many clients are dealing with $100's of millions in projects, so missing a deadline can cost them substantially. If they were to try and sue for damages, that could get really ugly.

    That said, I do make it clear that we have never, ever missed a deadline.

    Just be careful, you not only have to look out for your own mind, you have to protect yourself too.

  • mantrakid0

    Yeah that was a typo I meant to say I never use hard dates. "2 weeks to do the work" is only "2 weeks from today" if the client gives me everything I need and there are no surprises.

    All you have to do is be open and honest every single step of the way and most clients actually appreciate being in the loop. Client always introduce new variables based on the fact that they talk / think about the project after dropping it in your hands. You should never be afraid to tell the that what they are asking for was outside of the original concept and will require more time or more work.

    Also if they ask you for a quote and you say 2 weeks to do the work, yo can also say your "start date" is dependent on what you currently have in your production schedule. Clients seem to think that you just sit on ur ass waiting for work sometimes. Make sure they know ur busy, and set a precedent by saying so. They can't do shit if u tell them there's no way you can get to their project for another 2 weeks. Tey can find someone else, but then there you go... Now you dnt have the issue anymore. If they insist, then you explain that to get their job done sooner, you're basically putting a delay on a loyal clients project and so now you have to charge a premium to cover the friction it causes to your ore client relationship.

    It's all just business. Take the emotion out of it and it becomes simple stress free decisions and the bottom line is you are looking out for YOU all the time. It sounds selfish, but the end result is you are not stressed and can put more effort and time into the work you do for your clients. And your clients will recognize it and respect you for it.

    • All of this was learned the hard way. It's been many long years freelancing but I truly feel happy with my work sitch these days.mantrakid
    • until you take work from a friend or family member...monospaced
  • dragonfruit0

    had the same problem. started making music.