Freelance Radio, Episode 37: The Slow Times
The latest episode of Freelance Radio, the official FreelanceSwitch podcast, is now available! This episode, the panel (John Brougher, Dickie Adams, Kristen Fischer and Von Glitschka) talks about suggestions for what to do when work is slow. Subscriptions to the podcast are available via iTunes and an archive of all podcasts will appear in the podcast section. We hope you enjoy it!
Subscribe to Freelance Radio on iTunes
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
You can subscribe on other podcast aggregators by using our podcast feed–it’s simply http://feeds.feedburner.com/FreelanceRadio. Download the podcast file (in MP3 format) via the link (right-click to save).
The Shownotes:
- Theme of the Episode: This episode’s theme is dealing with the slow times: our suggestions for what to do when work isn’t exactly abundant.
- Mailbag:We talk about our thoughts on net30 and similar payment terms.
- Freelance Radio Recommends:
- Dickie: Smartphone Palm Pre.
- John: List of fantastic nonfiction books (including self-improvement and self-help in addition to traditional nonfiction topics) 40 Modern Nonfiction Books Everyone Should Read at Marc and Angel.
- Kristen: Food blog Smittenkitchen.com.
- Von: Store that supports nonprofits and highlights design work Rahzo.com.
And that’s the episode! If you like it, please feel free to rate it in iTunes or your favorite podcast aggregator, and don’t forget to email your questions/comments via the Freelance Radio form. If you’d like to record a question/comment or submit an original outro song, you can upload them via this form.
Find out more about the panelists at the following sites:
- John Brougher, podcast host and new media/communications specialist: johnbrougher.com; John’s Twitter is at twitter.com/johnbrougher
- Dickie Adams, designer, photographer, technologist, jack-of-all-trades (and master of all): twitter.com/dickieadams
- Kristen Fischer, writer and author: kristenfischer.com; Kristen’s Twitter is at twitter.com/kristenfischer
- Von Glitschka, illustrator, designer and so much more: glitschka.com; Von’s Twitter is at twitter.com/vonster
Thanks for listening! The contest is still on – but we are going to extend the contest expiration to Monday the 14th. So listen to the podcast, follow the rules, and good luck!
Hopefully we won’t get a double post here, but the first didn’t show up.
The contest is on, but extended until Monday, Sept 14th. So take a listen, follow the rules and good luck!
(and thanks again for listening)
I was listening to your Net30/45 (which ends up 90) I have the following approach:
1) Whenever I get a new client I only give them 10 days credit, even though they are big names. Most companies will try and say that they have X numbers of days in their payment policy, but just be hard.
2) If you go to a customer and say that “you know, I really need those money so that I can buy …. or pay ….” most people / companies will pay – especially if you show up at the office. (I’ve used this approach a few times)
Great show (listened to it on the website)
Thanks for answering my question about Net30/Net45 clients. I guess it reiterates the point to hash out terms during the negotiation phase and not assume both parties understand each others’ terms of payment.
I’ve been trying to stick with 50/50 (I like Von’s suggestion of having Net30 for the second half of the payment, but not the first half) but when you work with companies or agencies, you need to work with their processes too.
Every client is different – small companies, large companies, independents, etc.
I have a habit of starting “too fast out of the gate” and then I have 90% of the work done with no money to show for it – sometimes it’s okay because the client is honest, but I just got burned by one who wasn’t – and they blamed me for problems on press that they knew about but never communicated any issues to me so that I could have the opportunity to fix the artwork. They paid extra press fees and are holding it against me – a very unethical fellow.
I never use contracts (I do have one but never use it), even for 30k jobs. I’ve been freelancing for over 10 years and never found it necessary. I also don’t request any upfront payment.
Instead I bill incrementally for small amounts (typically from $500 to $1000 depending on the client) throughout the development period with terms strictly 14 days. If payment is late, work on the project stops and I focus on other clients who are paying their bills on time.
I don’t let clients run up a large debt and I don’t want a large up-front payment. I want clients to get use to the small incremental system from the get go.
It’s also important to look for the early warning signs, for potentially bad clients, and get out before they owe you money. I prefer to work directly with clients, rather than studios.
Also I absolutely love and adore scope creep, it pays my bills, since I don’t accept fixed bid quotes.
This is the first time I hear you. It is incredible, I really enjoyed the podcast. I’ll be looking forward for new awesome advices.
Thanks!
It’s official! @elorg has been randomly chosen to win a @SmugMugPro account. Congrats and thanks again for listening!
I’ve noticed that a lot of freelancers require a 50% deposit to begin a job. I was wondering what happens to that 50% in the case of a client canceling or rejecting a job before the job is complete. Does the client get refunded for any of that 50% that may not have been used up in time spent on the project?