Comments on: Recession ethics for freelancers

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:41:46 +0000

Hi – ethics seem in short supply in the business world, my favorite gripe is clients who ‘forget’ to pay you until you send them reminders. Maybe they are hoping you got run over by a bus or something so they can keep the cash. Congratulations on your success by the way, I see you are mentioned on the front page of Yahoo today so you may get a spike in traffic ! Also why no ads on your site ?

By: Melissa Ek

Melissa Ek — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:18:17 +0000

I would return the money too, but just like with you, it would be first out of fear of being caught and losing my gig, and second out of ethics. I know that sounds bad….but sometimes, don’t you feel like you DESERVE that little bit extra?

And, conversely, if the client underpaid me, I’d be sure to mention it as well.

By: Kingsley Tagbo

Kingsley Tagbo — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:20:42 +0000

To stay in business for the long-term, you have to have a good relationship with your clients. You don’t keep money given to you by mistake by people you have a “relationship” with.

By: Penny Feigel, IAC-EZ

Penny Feigel, IAC-EZ — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:59:01 +0000

“But recovery from blatant disregard for business ethics? Doubtful.”

That is such a GREAT statement! Regardless of the economics. As a freelancer, employee, or just in general – people will remember if they feel you have been dishonest or unethical in any way.

By: Michelle Goodman

Michelle Goodman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:02:58 +0000

@dava, I wish my clients gave me tips. my sources try to, but that’s a journalism no-no, so i must decline.

@liz, i think you did the right thing. builds good will. i’ve done that before, in the early stages of a new client relationship.

@ax, i’ve so been there re the oddball negotiations. even more bizarre when the the client haggling over $25 is a huge corp that has far more money than we’ll ever see. i agree re not selling oneself short just because the economy’s crap and work is harder to come by. i know many freelance writers raking in the assignments right now. also, i love your karmic payback story.

By: Ax

Ax — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:51:19 +0000

I just had a client ask for a 30% rate-break today: we met in the middle. I felt vaguely absurd, hassling about $25 difference when people are losing homes, eating government cheese and declaring bankruptcy because of medical bills. But at the same time, I need to make rent here and finance the work I love. And I’m sure the client would employ someone cheaper who could do an equally decent job (the company’s tried). Thus I stuck to my guns pretty fiercely…

So, media pros out there: coraggio! Don’t sell yourself short, just because the industry’s turbulent. I know plenty of people, myself included, still picking up fresh, good gigs. The hustle and negotiations take a bit more time, but a living wage is still out there…

In answer to your larger question, Ms G, I agree that a writer’s reputation is her most valuable currency. I would hand back an overpayment, just as I once turned in a five-pound ($10) note I found in a British pub. The very next week, I lost 20 quid ($40) and someone returned it – or else the bartender recognized me and took pity. Either way, it was a quick study in Good Karma…

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:59:44 +0000

I had a client earlier this year who hired me to do something and I estimated them it would take me X amount of hours and they paid their deposit. Well it turns out I was able to solve what they needed in about 2/3 the time I thought I would need and I opted to not charge them the full remaining amount and let them know I came in under the budget quoted, so I was cutting them a break. They’ve become a valued client and Ive gotten a number of jobs with them over this year.. i think it was the right move.

By: Dava Stewart

Dava Stewart — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:22:48 +0000

I have even worried about accepting tips from smaller clients. I worry about integrity, of course, but also whether or not they can afford to be generous.

I could never just pocket an over-payment, even if I was defaulting on my mortgage. I’m almost pathalogically honest, which can be a bad thing sometimes.