Genre: Instruction

Freelancer's FAQ RED FLAGS FOR FREELANCERS RED FLAGS FOR FREELANCERS Clients – they 're our source of assignments , but sometimes of roadblocks as well . In a nationally attended teleconference led by Margaret L. Moser , participants in the Editorial Freelancers Association's ( EFA ) New Freelancers ( NFL ) affinity group from as far afield as Florida , California , and Alaska learned about red flags warning them of such roadblocks and how to respond to them from Laurie Lewis , former EFA co-exec , former co-leader of the NFL affinity group and author of What to Charge : Pricing Strategies for Freelancers and Consultants . Although clients have a vested interest in their projects , Lewis cautioned they also may have little understanding of the services provided by editors . Omens of " trouble down the road " are often revealed as verbal red flags . Lewis provided a list of these warning signs . 1 . Client says , " We do n't pay a lot , but we can offer steady work . " This red flag may be a particular hazard for new freelancers . Positive and negative aspects of this situation include the following , If you 're looking for " steady work " and want to commit to , say , 10 hours a week , this kind of arrangement could be beneficial . Accepting a low rate means this client will expect to continue paying that fee . Doing most of your work for a low-paying client leaves you no time to search for more lucrative assignments . 2 . Client says , " We need you in-house 40 hours a week . " This stipulation turns an assignment into contract work ( " permalance " ) and raises several concerns : If the assignment's short , say two to six weeks , it may be okay . The assignment leaves no time to prospect for other clients or projects , and limits the variety of material on which you 're working . Working exclusively at the client's premises may affect your freelance status with the IRS . To resolve this , propose working parameters , such as working the first two weeks at the client's office , then completing the project from home . Suggest a split schedule – working two days per week at the client's location and three days from home . 3 . Client says , " It 's in pretty good shape . " This trap catches new and experienced freelancers . Clients virtually always think this about their documents – and have little concept of the work that editors perform . 4 . Client says , " It should n't take long . " This could mean a short turnaround , or you may be immersed in the editorial equivalent of " Waiting for Godot . " Lewis advised freelancers to ask clients about their expectations regarding the projected number of hours or the amount of work to be accomplished in an hour . If they have budgeted 20 hours for a project that reasonably could take longer , you may end up in a financial bind . 5 . Client says , " I have n't seen it yet , but it 's in pretty good shape , " and might add , " You can just do a fast edit . " In this case , either run for the hills or review red flags 3 and 4 . 6 . Client says , " We should have the manuscript ready for you in two days and we need it back by the end of the week . " The client is tying a rather loose availability date for the material to a definite delivery date . Lock this client down with an agreement that , if the material is not ready for you when anticipated , your delivery date will be adjusted by the same amount of time . 7 . Client says , " I need this proofread . " Many clients do n't understand the difference between proofreading and the various levels of editing . In most cases , these individuals actually need a copyeditor . In some instances , clients may be trying to obtain a " cheap edit " by calling it proofreading . 8 . Client says , " We 've had another freelancer work on this , and s / he was n't very good . " Although the previous freelancer may have been unskilled , this raises concerns about the client's abilities and expectations , such as : The client may expect you to turn garbage into gold . The client may not respect freelancers . The client may be so invested in the material that s / he takes editorial changes as a personal affront . Beware the client who tells you , " My secretary and my wife read it , and they think it 's wonderful . " Again , break down the assignment with the client to get a clear list of expectations . If this ca n't be done , it may be prudent to walk away . 9 . Client says , " I inherited this job . " Lewis said this red flag is common in a time of downsizing . The warnings it raises include : The client does n't care about the project , wo n't assume ownership , and wo n't be diligent about follow-through or with processing your invoices . 10 . The issue is n't a client's words – rather , it 's the lack of words . If clients dither , are inarticulate or are unresponsive , your progress will be stymied . If you ca n't get them to talk to you at the beginning of the project , you wo n't get the details or feedback needed later . When clients do n't express clear expectations : If the client does n't like the work you turn in , s / he 'll blame you for a bad job . The individual ( s ) with whom you 're dealing may not be the ultimate client – and may be getting unclear instructions from above . 11 . Insufficient client data . Reputable clients should have no objections to providing names of an individual contact and organization , along with an address , e-mail , phone number , and fax number . 12 . Documenting the assignment . Some clients seem taken aback when you request a contract or letter of agreement . However , you should get a formal contract , a letter of agreement or at least an e-mail detailing the assignment before starting work . If the client does n't provide this , send an e-mail laying out the project as you understand it , including an overall description of the work to be done , the work stages , fees and dates ( including turnaround for client feedback and timing of payment ) . Mention the need for renegotiation if the schedule changes . Request a client response by saying , " Please get back to me by MM / DD with confirmation or any questions . If I do n't hear back from you via e-mail by this date , I will understand your confirmation of the above terms . " You might also leave a space for the client's signature and request a fax of the signed document . Attended by both " newbies " and seasoned freelancers , the session illustrated that these cautionary red flags are common to clients all over the country . As Lewis pointed out , we editors often must morph into educators – to help clients and ourselves understand exactly what is needed on any given project . The article " Red Flags for Freelancers " first appeared in the Editorial Freelancers Association newsletter , The Freelancer ( Vol. XXXI No. 5 . May – June 2007 ) . The content for this article springs from the broad freelance experience of writer / editor Laurie Lewis , whose medical and corporate communications work appears in print and electronic formats . Lewis is the author of What to Charge : Pricing Strategies for Freelancers and Consultants , which may be purchased at amazon.com . Laurie Lewis can be contacted directly at whattocharge@earthlink.net . Article author Pat Davies is a writer / editor with 18 years' experience – staff and freelance – in educational materials , Web sites , business documentation , nonprofits , and more . Davies may be reached at pd.writer@hotmail.com