We Get Letters
Dear Deborah,
Can you post this as a topic for discussion. It may seem like a silly, petty thing but it’s been weighing heavily on my mind. I’ve been working for someone for about 18 months now. I must be doing well because I’m still with him. I wish he would say thank you. I never received a bonus or a Christmas card or even a "job well done" from this client. During the holidays we were have a strategy session over the phone and he mentioned how so many of his clients sent gift baskets. Yet he didn’t bother doing the same for someone who writes for him every single day. I don’t need a basket, I’d like a "thank you". Is that too much to ask from someone you work for?
Thank you Deborah.
Denise J.
Dear Denise,
I don’t think it occurs to the people we work for to thank us sometimes as they feel payment is sufficient. I agree though, saying thanks once in a while goes a long way. Bonuses are even better. I know how you feel though. Sometimes I wish it would occur to my biggest clients to say thank you or let me know how they feel about my work. It’s not too much to ask, but you can’t make it happen if it’s not in the client to do so. Comfort yourself by knowing you have a great regular gig.
Best,
Deb
Hi Deb,
I’m hoping a more experienced freelancer can help me out with this
problem. I got a great assignment, I really wanted the gig, it’s an
interesting topic, and most importantly it was a chance to work with
other writers I really admire. But somehow when it came down to
actually writing this great article, I choked. I got too intimidated
by the other writers on the group project, and I kept erasing
everything I wrote because it sounded stupid.I finally got a passable draft together right at deadline, so I didn’t
completely screw up, but what happened? I’m not a panicky person, and
it’s on a topic I really do understand. What can I do so I don’t make
myself nuts over awesome assignments?I hope you have time to answer but I’ll understand if you can’t. Have
a good weekend!Meg
Hi Meg,
First of all, bylines are just names and names shouldn’t intimidate us. Certainly you’re a great writer yourself if you found yourself working on a job along side other writers you admire.
I remember the first time I guest blogged for ProBlogger Darren Rowse. I thought my article sounded dorky compared to the other probloggers whose work I’ve seen there. I read it over and over and over and was afraid to send it in because I didn’t see myself as being in the same league. Then I started thinking…would Darren have allowed me to guest post if I was a poor writer or blogger? Moreover, didn’t all my favorite probloggers start out somewhere themselves? I suppose it’s the equivalent of a brand new actor getting the opportunity to work with an Academy Award winner.
You’re a good writer or you wouldn’t have been chosen for the gig. Look at the other writers on the gig as your peers or people to share ideas with and learn from.
I hope that helped! I certainly know where you’re coming from.
Deb
Hi Deborah,
Thank you for your amazing site. I graduated my college journalism program a couple of years ago, but only recently decided to actively pursue more writing gigs and try to make some sort of career out of it. I have found several writing jobs through your site already, though I find there is no consistency in what people pay writers. I am wondering if you could let me know of any blogging networks that are always looking for new writers. I try to avoid those $3 writing gigs, though they at least offer guaranteed payment as opposed to revenue share. I think I just need to be doing as much writing as possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Pete R.
Hi Pete,
Congratulations on your success.
If the blog networks are hiring, we’ll post the jobs here. In the meantime, have a look around and read the different articles and discussions. I’m proud to tell you you’re keeping company with some of the world’s greatest freelancers and the advice found in the comments of many of the discussions here at FWJ are invaluable.
If you have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Good luck,
Deb
Posted
on
Friday, February 29th, 2008 at 8:27 pm under
Interesting letters.
I have never, ever received a bonus of any kind for doing my work. I have received thank yous - many of them - which I dearly appreciate. I think I’d fall off my chair if I got a bonus from anyone.
Re intimidation: I’m intimidated by other writers all the time, despite my own success. I am very good at what I do, yet I just find myself in awe of people who I feel are so much better than I. I remember the first time a new writer wrote to me and asked for advice. I was stunned that someone thought it was worth asking me for advice!
February 29th, 2008 at 9:22 pmI would never think of getting a bonus, since I consider myself a freelancer. IMO, bonuses are for staff. Clients saying thank you is nice, although it sounds like he’s just expecting good work and you’re producing it. His people skills are probably not what they could be. Try not to take it personally.
I used to send holdiay cards to my clients, but I stopped. It was a pain to do, and I really don’t think any of them cared. Holiday cards are one of those close-to-the-line things for me — clients are not friends.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:45 pmI give periodic bonuses to say thanks. It’s been a while but I used to have a couple of client who rewarded me with bonuses when I turned in a job early or it went on and beyond. It’s not expected but it’s a nice boost.
I agree clients don’t have to say thank you - it’s just a nice thing to do.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:57 pmDenise, at least he or she is not saying, “I hate your work! You’re fired!” The one to send the holiday gift is more typically the vendor (you), not the client. It is always nice to find a client who is appreciative, but like in life, some people are demonstrative and verbally communicative, and others never say I love you. That doesn’t mean they don’t love you though. It’s just not their style. In this case, I would assume they love your work as I’m sure you would hear about it otherwise.
By the way, I’ve never received a bonus, and I think it would be quite rare as a non-employee to receive a bonus of any kind.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:58 pmPS I did send happy new year cards to all of my former clients and key contacts (people I’ve interviewed as experts for articles, etc.) this year. It was mainly to remind them that I’m alive just in case something comes up.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:00 pmI have a client that I get bonuses from. Generally it happens if he thinks I did an amazing job on a project. If I charged $43 for it, for example, he would round up what he pays to $45 or $50. It’s small, but I definitely appreciate it.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:41 pmI at times use subcontractors and have given bonuses at year end (gift cards to restaurants) at end of year, or as soon after as cash flow permits.
I do that to keep good subcontractors, and it “pays off” because it is not the typical modus operandi of most. A former client of mine, which since closed, sent flowers at Christmas and Easter, which I thought was a nice gesture. But it doesn’t happen often.
However, I do agree that an “attaboy” or “attagirl” helps let one know they’re doing a good job. I don’t like it when I get no feedback from clients.
Remember that one “oh s**t” negates 100 attaboys or attagirls.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:53 pmLast December, one of my clients whose gig I got on the same month gave me a bonus of around $100. I was floored. It was extremely appreciated.
I agree that clients are clients, not friends. But I still took time to greet every single one of them Happy Holidays last year. I want them to know that I value their business and that every time they send me a paycheck, they help me put food on the table, as I help them put food on theirs.
@Meg> I also tend to get awestruck, especially if I get to work with people I’ve only read about before. It’s really, really intimidating, and the last time it happened to me, it took me three days to come up with a passable first draft. I think when something of the sort happens, we should all just push it to the back of our minds and work like usual. Of course, it’s easier said than done…
February 29th, 2008 at 11:04 pmregarding cards:
I do send out holiday greetings to select clients to keep in touch and to thank them for using me.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:08 pmI can understand why you’d wish for some acknowledgement, but he might think that’s exactly what he’s doing the repeat work - and with the paycheck. It’s not silly, though, just human.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:17 pmI received a hundred dollar bonus from one of my contract bosses this year and another sent a product with the company logo on it.
I send a a prewrapped and boxed candy/nut assortment to anyone/group that cut me a check or payed me via paypal in the year. I appreciate them and want them to continue to have warm fuzzy thought when my name comes up.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:22 pmI must admit I have got used to clients saying ‘thank you,’ and would miss it if it stopped happening.
I often send Christmas wishes to clients and also receive them, which is much appreciated.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:48 pmI have one client who, although a good payer and pleasant to work with, asks for more revisions than most. During the holiday season, that client sent all of the writers a box of Godiva chocolates. It was my favorite bonus ever! I’m extremely busy right now with other projects, but I’m definitely more likely to be at the beck and call of a client who gives such delicious expressions of gratitude. None of my other clients give any sort of bonuses, though, without extra work attached. I have found that people who edit/purchase work on a large scale rarely send kudos or “attaboys,” but smaller scale clients are pretty free with the thank yous.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:37 amMy favorite clients are the ones who say “Thanks for a great job” or something like that. They don’t have to do it, but I love that they recognize how good it feels. Having said that, it isn’t in some people’s nature, and I don’t hold that against them.
March 1st, 2008 at 1:40 amWith the type of industry I usually write for, I never see the finished product. Once I send something to an editor, other than one round of revisions, I never know what happens to it. Did anyone like it? Were they pleased with it? Or did they just delete the whole thing and start over (I used to work on the editorial side, and that practice was not infrequent when there wasn’t time to keep sending things back, or when the writer just didn’t seem to be getting it)? But there’s one editor I do a lot of work for who has on a number of occasions taken the time to write to me and tell me that the client was really pleased with my work, and that everyone loved it. I guess it’s kind of pathetic that even though I’ve been freelancing for a number of years and people must be hiring me for some reason, I still need to hear that occasionally. When that editor contacts me for a project, I don’t even hesitate to say yes.
March 1st, 2008 at 1:42 amIt is definitely nice, but not required for a client to say thanks. I have two regular clients, both of whom frequently send me emails saying “Great work” and it is really a boost to my confidence. One of them also gives bonuses, but I think that is pretty rare in the freelance world.
March 1st, 2008 at 3:12 amAm I the only one who feels uncomfortable about bonuses?
Seriously, each time I receive a bonus - a money bonus, not a gift bonus - I’ve wanted to absolutely squirm. I feel bad. The client didn’t have to do that, and it makes me feel very awkward, as if I owe someone something. I do thank them nicely, though.
Gift certificates to Amazon or other presents are cool as hell. Those don’t make me squirm in the least, and I always tell the client what I ended up buying.
Funny how my brain works, I guess.
March 1st, 2008 at 5:02 pm@James - I do have one person who throws in a $5 bonus from time to time which is appreciated.
It is with my review site where I tend to get the gifts and they do make me feel slightly uncomfortable because while I am giving an author or publisher my opinion of their book, some of them have been known to go all out. I feel bad they are spending that much money.
I’ve gotten things from Beanie Babies embroidered with a book’s title and author name to cooking aprons, t-shirts, hats, food items, to my all time favorite, a basket full of Godiva products from hot cocoa to truffles.
In the end, it is my husband who says that if they wouldn’t send it if they didn’t have the budget.
March 1st, 2008 at 5:53 pm@ Ann G: I would think that they can claim the cost of the bonus on their taxes as as business expense, too.
I have got to say that I have very generous clients who say thank you often and who provide bonuses from time to time, including at Christmas. I received a gift from a client with the company logo on it before Christmas. Another person who is not a client but who provides expert answers questions on a site that I write for sent a gift of gourmet fruit delivered once a month for three months. It’s not something I would have ordered for myself but I may have to because the product is absolutely exquisite, and it was much appreciated.
Just to put a different slant on the whole Thank You thing, do we remember to thank our clients for their business and their (hopefully) prompt payments often enough?
March 1st, 2008 at 9:03 pmI’ve gotten a few bonuses/tips from editing clients. Neither these nor holiday greetings/gifts are expected but I have learned the hard way to be wary of the client who never says thank you or indicates in any way that my work is appreciated. For three years I was the second-top producing editor at a major online editing service. The owner not only never thanked any of the editors for our work, but ended up treating many of us in a shoddy and unprofessional manner.
A person who over an extended period of time never thanks you or in any way appears to appreciate your work probably doesn’t in fact value that work and thinks you are easily replaced. There’s no reason to stop working for that person, but protect yourself by building up client relationships with others who do value your work and will therefore be less likely to up and leave someday.
March 2nd, 2008 at 12:32 am@Jodee, you’re right. All of my clients are prompt paymasters, except those who are on a monthly schedule, by choice. And I haven’t really made an effort to thank them beyond the first couple of times I received a paycheck. We might think we don’t need to thank them because we work hard for them, but then, they don’t need to thank us either.:)
Thanks for the idea.
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm@ PreSchool Mama: You’re welcome. I bet that if we said/wrote those words more often ourselves, our clients would respond in a postive way.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:56 pmIt’s all about expectations. The only thing I expect from my employer is a paycheck and anything else is superfluous. When we expect things from others it ultimately leads to disappointment. If you enjoy your job do the best you can for your individual satisfaction. Don’t take it as a blow if you don’t get a thank you. Imagine if your boss started to feel guilty for not saying thank you or sending bonuses? Isn’t that what the person with expectations hopes to make the other feel? Let go of your insecurities and move on.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:34 pm