November 22, 2006
weird business-ism
A weird thing that I’ve found in my business–the less somebody is paying for something, the more they expect from it.
Now, this makes absolutely no fucking sense. I mean, what the Hell? But there it is, and I’ve found without exception, this to be the case. If they’re not paying for it, they are the most likely to complain about something or other.
And for some reason, the more somebody is paying for something, the more they seem to respect it (and/or your time and energy).
Alternate way of communicating this thought: I need to stop donating/discounting services and rasie my rates. And find different ways to give back that are less annoying.
“Dixie, I don’t know why I’m telling you this. But you need to double your rates. You don’t charge nearly enough.” -My Web Designer friend, who is kind enough to give me advice on occassion. He always cracks me up when he says things like that–he says he doesn’t know why he’s sharing info with the competition.
He’s funny. He also introduced me to the term “asshole tax.” That’s when self-employed people charge more to clients who are assholes. If you gotta deal with ‘em, you might as well not have reason to resent it, after all.
And his other, oft-quoted advice I favor: “You should always take off early on Fridays. There is absolutely nothing good that has ever come from a call or email you get on Friday afternoon.”
I like that guy. 
Posted
Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006-12:59 am
under Reality Check, Worklife.
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November 22nd, 2006 at 10:30 pm
Oh sister you are soooo right. It’s always the clients that want something for a discount or for free that are the biggest pain in the behind. Teaches you a lesson, doesn’t it? Happy Thanksgiving! ~Monica
November 22nd, 2006 at 10:52 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Monica!
November 23rd, 2006 at 12:10 pm
You could always offer your clients a side order of yummy cheesy fries. That’ll shut em up!
November 23rd, 2006 at 1:03 pm
i’ve heard eating them is a GODLY experience.
December 1st, 2006 at 6:26 pm
[...] You know that thing? That I was talking about the other day? Well, it’s still true. It strikes again. But I also noted something else….there are some combinations that are best off left alone. Like cutesy, and helpless. Together again, paired up with their friend impatience, you’ve got a trio brought to you straight from the seventh grade, man. [...]