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dippykitty

nzmegs wrote: »

Hi everyone. feeling a little stressed. Not unusal lately. My client has returned from his holidays and unfortunately I didn't get quite as much done while he was away as I would have liked. I dound it hard to motivate myself knowing he wasn't expecting it till he got back. I got a bit of a snarky email from him saying it looked like i had a holiday of my own while he was away....
Surely one of the joys of freelancing is the ability to slow down when possible? part of the problem had been his own lack of proper instrucxtions and me having to guess what he wanted anyway.
I can't afford to lose this client and I think he wouldn't want to lose me so i guess I have to apologise and keep him happy and try to catch up asap. Late nights here i come.

That sounds really tough! If his instructions (or lack of them) were at least part of the problem, surely he should take some of the blame? It's probably not a good idea to actually say that obviously, but perhaps you could subtly mention that you need some more detailed instructions on subsequent projects. I can see where you're coming from, but it seems unfair if you have to say sorry for a situation that wasn't entirely your fault!

In theory, freelancing should let us set our own hours but it doesn't necessarily work out like that - I should know as I often work all hours myself, often as a result of slacking during the day though!

Good luck with the work, hope it works out ok in the end

nzmegs

Thanks Dippy, I have delivered two articles today and should get two done tomorrow so that should keep him happy. I asked some very specific questions about two parts of the work and pointed outt hat the research I had done to that point had taken me three days and I still could not write the article. So hopefully it is clear that I wasn't just sitting around doing nothing.
Usually he is very clear in his instructions but lately (leading up to his holiday) his instructions became very vague. I don't like to take too much initiative in case the article comes out completely wrong. I like to know what they want me to write - that is the job of an editor.
Anyhow life goes on. Off to bed now. Hoping to get up early and go for a run at about 5.30am....seriously!

dippykitty

nzmegs wrote: »

Thanks Dippy, I have delivered two articles today and should get two done tomorrow so that should keep him happy. I asked some very specific questions about two parts of the work and pointed outt hat the research I had done to that point had taken me three days and I still could not write the article. So hopefully it is clear that I wasn't just sitting around doing nothing.

No problem, glad you've got some of it done anyway.

I'm presuming that you're being paid either per article or per project, but if this happens in the future, it might be worth pointing out that lack of instructions (and wasted effort) would be pretty costly for him/her if you were charging per hour as you'd still be able to bill for your time!

nzmegs

Not a bad point Dippy. Just finished another article. Yes i am on a per article rate and I always do my best to research as carefully as possible even if it means running over time. Mostly it's ok but lately has been a bit difficult.

Didn't go for my run - woke up with a sore throat and it was raining. Excuses!!

Better day generally. Found a couple more part time jobs to apply for (when i get the time!)which always makes me feel more positive. At leas the jobs exist - it is just a matter of getting the interview. Funny thing is that i have never had an interview without getting the job - but getting the interview in the first place is the hard bit. I send out 2 or 3 apps every weeks and have done for months but no replies let along interviews. Glad I have the writing to do too.

Hope everyone else is doing ok. Been quiet round here. Is everyone on holiday?

Horace

Hi all

I havent been on holiday but spent a large proportion of the day travelling to and from the eye hospital. I discovered that two appointments had been cancelled so after having my field vision test done I headed off to my old home to pick up some post then back into town on the bus - I went into Selfridges to Starbucks and spent some of my luncheon vouchers on a sandwich, a cake and a large mug of coffee:j

Today, I have paid my electricity bill, changed a standing order, phoned and discussed some wedding fairs - one which will be £75 plus VAT which is consierably cheaper than the usual cost. Fell in love with and bought a purple leather business card holder (will see if I can say its a business expense:D). Been to corner shop for milk, biccies and a few other bits:rolleyes: Been printing off details of an event at Hagley Hall on 4 June - a conference and event planning do (free entry so its my kind of do).

Managed to email my consultant (I have a hotline to him:rotfl:) and he is booking me another refraction test as my eyesight is awful as I have managed to pour boiling water over myself several times when trying to get water into mug to make coffee - I have seen the mug in a different place to where it is actually situated:eek: I can't use escalators either so my consultant emailed me to say that I should stop carrying kettles of hot water onto escalators:rotfl:

Tomorrow I could be leafletting for the conservatives again - I see it as free exercise and cheaper than the gym (see I am being very MSE).

Hope you all are having a grand business day.

renniwano

New to this thread.. and hoping to get a virtual kick up the backside and sort out my paperwork and website stock..

I manufacture and stock clear polymer stamps.. and have stock made up that needs to go on the site.. and paperwork to get filed..

I also have a two year old running around to get ready for bed.. and a pup who's snoring in my ear.

I know I have to do this over the next few days.. but can feel myself slowing down and finding other things to do as the other half is at work till gone 11pm tonight..

It feels like it has been one of those weeks.. is it me or does the weather affect any of you working from home..

Could definately do with a holiday here..

Nikki x

moneymabel

Hi Nikki, weather def has an effect- I just want to be out in the sun !! Saying that it's been raining all day today and I've still acheived zilch .

Is it stamps for crafting you make?or have I got completely the wrong end of the stick?

renniwano

Mmm I did think it was just me with the weather...

I do stamps for craft, business and pleasure...so nope, you have the right end of that stick..

moneymabel

Ah I see!I work part-time in a craft shop so was wondering if it was acrylic stamps, we are selling loads of them recently- hopefully yours are as popular for you, must be great to make them yourself - that's fascinating! Can you put your website address in your profile so we can have a look?

ally_bally_3

Hi folks

Totally new to this particular thread but so relieved to see people just like me on here.

I was fairly active on the DFW pages round about Oct last year but have fallen by the wayside and debts have crept up very slightly so am back, determined and raring to go.

I am a freelance PA working in the music industry so I deal with a number of musicians, bands, record companies, entrepreneurs etc. I mainly work from home but increasingly recently I am all over London working for various clients and more so have been on tours with clients so have been working away quite a lot.

I have a number of clients but due to the recession I took on a few 'non music' clients recently so keeping ticking over thankfully. Still got £400 left to pay on the previous tax bill so making that my next mission.

I fully intend to come on here to get a virtual kick up the bum whenever I am procrastinating! It's amazing how I am so organised for other people but not quite so much when it comes to myself!

I look forward to talking to you all!

Allison
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