If it were a one-time job and I just didn’t like it, I’d see it through and simply decline any future work offers from the client.

Now, did my client think I did a bad job? Apparently not, as they bug me once in a while to do more. I have very, very high standards – but I didn’t hit them with this really boring and commercial client. I feel that I let them down, even if they don’t seem to see it that way.

I said it the way I did out of honesty. I’ve seen too many things in my life to be anything other than brutally honest. I know I do great work work when I believe in what my client is doing, and anything less is half-assed. Maybe I’m good enough that my mediocre is good enough. Whatever. What I do know is that the Taoist practice of “wu wei” serves me well – I only like to work where there is a particular skill that I bring to the table.

That’s the lesson I’ve learned.

Finish the job, and if you find it so hateful and mind-numbing that you can’t stand it, and you can afford to cut the client loose, do so. Decline future assignments. That’s why you freelance, so you can pick and choose.

But ONLY after you’ve fulfilled your contract. And fulfilled it well, not in a half-baked way.

How we deal with boredom, gigs that aren’t as great as we thought, and days when we don’t feel like writing is what separates the pros from the wanna-bes.

Once the project is completed, then I would review my options before accepting any further work.

“Project creep” is dangerous, which is why it’s important to spell out expectations in some detail before a project.

Not preaching here, talking from experience. A couple of memorable bad projects were bad because client and I didn’t agree in enough detail about scope of project. As each grew, it got to the point that I was grossly underpaid for what was delivered.

Though I wouldn’t say I’ve perfected the process, now I try to have some established benchmarks with new clients/new types of projects, like a three-month trial period (I try to work with clients with more than one-shot needs) or something similar to ensure that we don’t run into an issue.

On a recent proposal that was in danger of project creep because client wanted more than I could deliver myself (meaning bringing in other people and overhead), I actually went to a larger writing firm I’ve worked with before, presented idea to the firm who will handle the proposal with the understanding that I will get a good portion of the work.

I’ve worked with the firm before, which paid me all monies due even in bankruptcy (now operating under a different structure and name), so I’m confident I won’t get ***. Even if I did, it’s a project which would have had too many complications to pursue myself anyway.

I always complete the project, no matter how dull, and I always give it my best. Once the project is over I tell the client I don’t think I was a very good fit.

I wouldn’t have accepted the assignment if there wasn’t at least something appealing to me.

I would obviously choose Option A if I were to be in that situation. It helps to remember the alternatives to writing for money. For me it’s either fit writing into a school schedule and deal with boring jobs or spend my breaks scrubbing people’s *ahem* out of toilets. While that may sound crude, I hope that it helps all the Option A people feel really positive about their jobs!

If the project had a set end, I would finish it and then politely decline further work.

However, I have quit in the past (though by telling them up front, not via methods B or C) in cases where the client is exceptionally rude or tries to demand more work than originally agreed upon.

You finish up what you promised, but you do a really half-assed job of it.

(I’ve been there, and while that wasn’t my plan, it’s what happened.)

Sure, you said you’d get the job done. But if the work is mind-numbingly boring, can you really do your best? What kind of product could you give if you do like the work? Writing isn’t something mechanical that you can just turn on and off at leisure. It’s work that requires creativity and if you’re not into the job, how creative can you be?

Personally, I don’t want someone doing a job for me unless they can give it their all. If you’re no longer interested, let me know so I can find someone who is truly interested.

Some might consider it bad form to walk away from a job when you’ve already started on it. I consider it bad form to get paid for a job when I know I won’t do is justice.

It’s in the client’s best interest to hire a writer who’ll provide the best copy/content. If I realize I’m not that writer, I’ll have to end the relationship. I don’t have to make up a lame excuse or avoid the client; being honest will work just fine.

Normally, though, I’d choose A…

@Deb: I figure this is a no brainer. A of course; but not because at some point I haven’t wanted to do either B or C; I will admit. Normally it would have been because I didn’t trust the person. It never got to that point, but I did think of it. You really have to be professional, even if you don’t want to.

Just part of being a responsible adult. Oh my, I sounded like my mother there.

Depending on the client I might make suggestions about future articles. I did that with one of my clients. The project is going to last for several months. I really like them and The pay is very good, but I wanted to use a slightly different approach with the articles I was writing.

I talked with my client, and I gave them reasons to support my position. They listened and agreed to the changes. Because of that conversation I received additional work from them, and I can write about anything I want within that niche.

Of course, that won’t work with every client but this client is approachable, and I felt they would at least listen to my ideas.