what are my obligations to a client when a project drags on? by Alison Green on March 7, 2022 A reader asks: What are a consultant’s obligations to a client whose project timeline is just dragging on indefinitely? I have a client who expected work to be completed over a short amount of time (about 6 weeks). I was paid a lump sum for the project as detailed in the original scope of work. […] Read the full article →
is it crazy to quit my job to go freelance in 2021? by Alison Green on August 19, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I am considering leaving my job to build my own business as a freelancer (copywriting / digital content marketing). I’m not ready to quit just yet, but I plan to start building up my savings account and take on more side projects and sign up […] Read the full article →
are these unreasonable expectations for a part-time contractor? by Alison Green on January 9, 2020 A reader writes: I was laid off two months ago when my employer eliminated my entire department. I was recently one of the final two candidates for a position that would have been a perfect fit for me. I was up against an internal candidate and did not ultimately receive the offer; however, I was […] Read the full article →
are my clients hiring me to do work their companies believe they’re doing on their own? by Alison Green on September 12, 2019 A reader writes: I’m a somewhat newish, full-time freelancer (data visualization and reporting). Previously, I was an employee for many, many years at huge financial institutions, so that’s my “level-set” in terms of business norms (conservative, process-driven, high awareness of confidentiality). It has happened twice (among 20ish contracts) that I find out some time after […] Read the full article →
I can’t say no to clients, and my success is destroying me by Alison Green on April 15, 2019 A reader writes: I’ve been an independent contractor for nine years, and I’ve finally found financial comfort and fulfillment in my work. This did not come easy. I was barely scraping by the first couple of years. I took sleazy corporate work for investment bankers and lawyers because that’s “where the market was,” and I […] Read the full article →
I ghosted a client and now I need to finish my work for her by Alison Green on January 7, 2019 A reader writes: I work in a jack-of-all-trades type position doing administrative work, graphic design, web design, and more. The hours that I spend at that job are full-time for my ability level, but are technically part-time and read that way to others. Earlier this year, someone I worked with in the past asked if […] Read the full article →
my client wants me to be constantly available by Alison Green on July 26, 2018 A reader writes: I work as a consultant for a few small nonprofits. Recently, the manager of one of the organizations I work for retired. She and I worked together for several years and our communications styles matched in that we both generally preferred using email over the phone for most things (except for calls we’d […] Read the full article →
how do you deal with freelancer terror? by Alison Green on June 21, 2018 I meant to make this an “ask the readers” question as per my new Thursday tradition, but I started writing just a short response to it and then it got longer and longer. So it’s not quite that anymore, but hopefully readers will weigh in as well. I’m an avid reader of your blog, even though I […] Read the full article →
how to fire a long-time client by Alison Green on February 7, 2018 A reader writes: I’m a web copywriter, and my oldest client (I’ve been with her for 6+ years) is like a family member to me. A family member who drives me nuts, is incredibly high maintenance, and likes to take all the credit for my successes, but also one who I admire and appreciate. After […] Read the full article →
what are my obligations to a client when a project drags on? by Alison Green on December 13, 2017 A reader writes: What are a consultant’s obligations to a client whose project timeline is just dragging on indefinitely? For background, the client expected work to be completed over a short amount of time (about 6 weeks) around September and October. I was paid a lump sum for the work as detailed in the original […] Read the full article →