freelancers
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- IloveQBN
Just a question to freelancers. Have you ever over booked yourself and how do you wiesel out of a job without burning your bridges?
Also do you feel overworked?
- Soler0
Either pull a couple overnighters or tell them the truth [you have a lot of work and you need to push back the deadline, or they need to go elsewhere] People are understanding if you are real w/ them.
And yes, I hold down a 8-5 so when I freelance I always feel overworked. But, it's a choice. Its worth it to me. hang in there
- tymeframe0
I've passed jobs off to friends before.
Sometimes it can be a pain being a moderater between my friend and the client but it still takes a lot of the work load off.
- IloveQBN0
I wish I could pull all nighters but A lot of times clients want me to work on site and it kills me because I'm wasting time travelling and going into meetings and shit.
Most of the time I have to bring in my laptop to work because they never have enough machines for me. Do you think I should charge more for that?
thanks for your suggestions.
- Luna0
if I overbook myself, I truthfully tell the client what's up with my busy world and then I recommend them to one of two friends (designers).
i've only had to do it once so far, but it's worked out.
- josimarX0
valuable tips:
learn to say NO! to family and friends. It really helps.
&
get some good 'freelance' contacts who you can rely on in times of need.
- IloveQBN0
thanks I would never blow off a paying client to do work for family or friends, unless they were paying me as much.
- frankosonik0
I've learned to charge enough in case I get too busy I can farm it out to some trusted colleagues.
- Soler0
I would definately charge for your travel time,, gas, phone calls, meeting times, and computer use. If it is too nit-picky to itemize then just be sure your hourly design rate covers it.
- e-pill0
tell the client the truth, or try to have yyour work covered by a friend with a similar style..
- e-pill0
or work out a 'kill fee' with the client
- IloveQBN0
thanks for all your advice.
- Mick0
I agree that a truthful relationship will work things out in the end. If you over-book, and they're upset... offer to make it up at a lower rate to compensate for the lost time of their project. Or outsource to someome reliable you know.
- dopepope0
A kill fee is good if the CLIENT kills the job. You can't 'wiesel' out and expect $$$.
If you can manage this, let us all know HOW.
- Nematoth0
I've got a few designers that I turn to in times of need.. ie when I get too busy.. I never turn down work.. there's always a way to get it done.. Try and find some locals that you think can produce high quality work that you're happy with as other people have suggested here..
- arthur0
Prioritize the jobs you have and extend the deadlines of the lesser important or lesser paying ones. Clients usually have a little bit of flexibility with their deadlines when faced with the possibility of the job not getting done.
I hate turning down work but if I'm swamped with good stuff and a couple dinky things come along, I tell them if they can't wait a couple weeks then it's not gonna work out.
In theory, I like the idea of passing on work to my fellow freelancers, but I'm too greedy. The client might like their work better than mine and go to them next time. I'd almost rather lose the job than give the client an (often cheaper) alternative.
Push those deadlines but also try to schedule your time well before you make commitments.
- IloveQBN0
thanks for your responses.
I do agree with Arthur about the passing over to other designers. I know it's selfish and greedy.
The reason why I take so many jobs is because I'm scared that there won't be any work coming in. But then I really haven't stopped working since after my Xmas holidays.