Sunday, June 19, 2005
Ermergency Work and other matters
A few weeks ago - at about 10 pm on a Thursday - I got a semi-frantic email from a semi-frantic consultant who was due to give a speech on Saturday - and "would I be free to give him a hand with editing his draft?" He would have it to me by three or four Friday afternoon.
It was one of those instances where I had to make a fast decision. I was working on another speech for a client that was due fairly soon. Although it was reasonably under control, the client you have must never be sacrificed for the client you might have. A bird in the hand - so to speak.
On the other hand, you never have a second chance to turn down a first time client.
This request and the decision to take it on was somewhat problematic. First, I generally only take on "emergency" speeches for my ongoing clients, not for new ones. Second, I count emergency as being 24 hour turnaround time, not the few hours he had in mind. Third, in this case both the client and I were buying a bit of a "pig in a poke".
I didn't know if I would be editing a disaster that was unfixable. And he didn't know if and how much I could help him. He knew of me because he had heard me give a talk on speech writing, but that was it. It was entirely possible that we would be both committed to an enterprise that might all end in tears.
Even before talking to him on the phone I did do a bit of research - the gods of Google be praised - and got relevant background on him and on the sum and substance of the event.
"What the heck", I thought. The subject matter was interesting and we seemed to talk in the same vocabulary. The process was not without its moments however. The draft I was supposed to get at 3 or 4 didn't show up until 7 in the evening - so it was a pretty frantic 3 or 4 hours after that.
Fortunately my gut didn't let me down because the draft he sent me wasn't a mess. It was actually pretty good. I was able to tighten it up. add a few value-added comments of my own and turn it around by about 10:45 pm.
The job got done. The client was happy. The Saturday event apparently went well.
It's not something I recommend on a regular basis. But sometimes you go with your instinct and you have the makings of a new ongoing relationship. In fact we had coffee the following week, exchanged war stories about things political, and we plan to keep in touch.
Was there a price to be paid? Well yes. Not financial. I was well paid for the work. But you forget how much this sort of last minute on-the-fly work can take out of your system. The output of mental energy can be physically draining. I sort of crashed the rest of the weekend.
Still, the adrenaline rush cannot be denied.
What about you. Do you take on emergency work? Do you make sure to charge a premium for it? Do you demand quick payment? Do you demand payment in advance?
I will be answering some of these questions - the good, the bad, the ugly - at my Finding Work seminar on June 18th. And many others as well to help you improve your freelance writing business - with the emphasis on "business".
More information in the next item.
Finding Work Workshop in Vancouver, BC June 18th, 2005
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Are you a freelance writer and tired of just scraping by? Cold calls make you break out in a cold sweat? Wondering if you should jump over to the dark side of full time work? Then this workshop might be just the ticket.
This is NOT a course for fiction writers. If you are a poet or want to be the next JK Rowling - then by all means follow your passion. It's just that I can't help you. NOR is this a course about resume or cover letter writing. I assume that you are already a dab hand at that.
This is a course for writers who believe that "corporate" writing - either freelance or full time - can be creative, rewarding and fulfilling. Your writing skills are fine but your marketing and business skills are a little shaky.
So we will look at some of the key issues that all writers should consider, such as
Finding your niche (specializing always gets you more money)
Establishing your deliverables
Networking - Colin's Rule of Twelve
How much can you make anyway? Really.
The job market (for those who really need to go to the dark side).
The freelance markets and how to find them
Remember - whether you are seeking to work the freelance or the full time side of the street - not doing the right marketing at the right time for the right reason - can be a bit like blinking in the dark. You know you are doing it, but no one else does.
If you are interested, send me a note here and I will send you information on price and place - and a registration link.
