This just ruined my otherwise happy Friday I have a client, who by the way pays me way less than my other clients, simply because I have been working with him since before I raised my rates a couple months age. He actually pays me 1 cent per word less than everyone else. He sent me an email this morning asking to "please do articles faster". Now, I always give a 24 hour turnaround for single articles. I have always gotten them to him within 24 hours, and the articles that he sent were this morning at like 1 a.m., while I was sleeping, since he is across the country from me. That's only been a few hours, and he asked me to go faster? I did "apologize" for the delay and told him that he pays less than my other clients and if the turnaround is not satisfactory, perhaps he would like me to stop writing. sorry, had to vent. I'm sure you have all had difficult clients in the past This just made me so mad. I can't believe the gall of some people. I'm sitting here hoping that my last email ticks him off and he stops sending me work. He only sends 2 or 3 each week anyway.
Sad to see people still do not appreciate the quality content of professional writers. If he irritates you too much, you could always tell him to buzz - there are plenty of DPers who'd be able to give him rehashed garbage for cheaper and quicker...
I agree with EG (hope ya don't mind me condensing name) Time to let him go, he isn't going to get far in his business. Sounds to me, he wants salmon when all he ordered was fish sticks. I would can him and work on my other clients because it's always a step up, each client you work on. Jim
Well, it must have worked when I bucked up on him. He sent me another email that said 24 hour turnaround is fine. Honestly, I thought a 24 hour turnaround time was excellent. Am I missing something?
Nah, he is just testing his limits with you. I tell my clients when they get fiesty, that they can either shape up or ship out. I won't tolerate ridiculous time frames or abuse of any kind for that matter. Jim
But Honestly one thing Vabeaty, I am a newcomer here though,but would like to tell you , that its always better still to build a castle of the stones thrown at you than YOU throwing them to someone else..What do you think? Give your best and leave the rest..
Some people are just out to complain to see what they can get in way of free credit, faster service, or refunds. Others just like to complain because it makes them feel like they have some form of power over you. It never hurts to put them in their place. They are paying for your services as a writer and nothing more. If a client gets testy about your turn around time just offer "priority service" for a fee; after all he is paying you less than everyone else in the first place. I had a client get mad at me because I didn't work on Thanks Giving, so I now have holiday pay which is double what priority is.
Since hes saying what he wants to change, tell him you want to change the price per word. If he doesnt agree, then tell him that the delivery time will remain the same, or he can find a new writer. He probably wont go get a new writer because he is coming back to you, therefore he is likes your work.
I typically give my writers at least a week. I would like to assume that I am not their only client and I would rather they take the time to provide a good article then try rushing one out.
He is trying to push your buttons to see how much he can get away with. Good for you for setting limits with him. If you had caved with just the apology he would've not only continued in this manner but try pushing you further next time. Perhaps it is time to start charging him the same rate you charge everyone else.
Not rushing an article is the key to good writing. If you client does not agree with this essential principle copywritin, just give him the push! Otherwise your mind will burn out for nothing!
A 24 hour turnaround is not the norm. If anything, he should be paying you more because of your super fast turnaround, since it probably means that you put your other writing obligations aside to write for him.
Some very good advice in this thread. I would add that you should respect yourself as a writer first and if a client doesn't respect you, drop them. Do you really need someone like that taking up your time or 1 cent a word?
I feel bad for you. This happens to me a lot! And even after me notifying them of the time difference
He actually did agree that 24 hours was a good turnaround. I think he was just assuming that I have no other clients and that I have all the time in the world for him. When I sent him a little note telling him how lucky he is that I don't charge him as much as other clients, he became very appreciative I was a little worried that he may delay payment, since he thought I was delaying work submission, but he actually paid faster than he ever has. Make a note writers - Stand up for yourself. I know that my clients are happy with my work and if I have one that starts trying to rock the boat, I'll just push him out of it
Don't tell him to change the price. Just sack him. You're going to have a happier life. Having a hateful customer doesn't lead anywhere.
I'm not sure how you completed the project at all. His rant would have completely thrown my mentals off balance. I would tell him that if he wants a rushed article, then he's chosen the wrong writer. Due to 'life', I rarely deliver anything in less than 48 hours because I have to have time to think the content through. I applaud your writing abilities.
Thanks. Actually it was just a couple of simple articles that were only 400 words each. I finished them both in less than an hour, but I did make him wait for them for about 4 hours I don't normally do that, I just wanted to make my point to him. I actually haven't had any more problems from him since I pointed out that a 24 hour turnaround is an excellent time frame and if he did not agree, then I could stop writing his articles altogether
It's great that you haven't got any more problems with him. The things is we really do have a problem, as writers, with the stability of our turn around time and the mood of our clients. Some of my clients pay $100 easily for they trust me and they applaud my work, but some do give you a hard time. We just have to deal with those kind of people.