dixiblog.com

This one goes out to all of you who romantisize the notion of working for yourself. You see, sometimes my clients drive me nuts. I’ll grant you, there are days where it’s a shorter trip than others, ok. I’ll own it. But man.This group is a tough one, too. To the point my family knows who they are. I’ve had these folks a long time. And throughout, they’ve always managed to get under my skin.  Their last-minute emergencies actually promted me to start “Rush Fees” for my business because they’d been so out of control. (Actually, the point of Rush Fess is to not get the rush requests more than anything. Sometimes, it works. Sometimes, not so much.)

Process that. They annoyed me enough I made up a new fee just because of them. I mean, how bad is that? Geez. So last mintue freakouts and phone calls on holiday weekends just makes me cranky. Go figure.

But anyway, I’ve had them a long time. They send me updates, making sure to give me just over my rush-fee-charagable-period to complete them…over 20 pages in word worth of updates.

Geez. On a short week. Which also includes my husband’s birthday. In the middle of a major work project I’m doing for myself. With a looming deadline. Blah blah blah. I’m actually turning down work, and if you know freelancers, you know that’s seriously fucking busy. There’s something about the whole “the next check comes from where?” thing, you know. Gotta hustle that work to make your dough.

But anyway. I worked in the fucking changes, in the time frame requested. That’s because I do it when I can for my clients. My clients, regardless of how I may sometimes grump about ‘em, do pay my bills. You want to stay in business, you know your priorities. Which means you’re nice to ‘em, and do your cussing to your friends and family.

Anyway, I did it. I managed to juggle it into my already action-packed week, and I went about the rest of my business today - inlcuding some prep for my husband’s birthday tonight and trying to get my car stereo that I’ve had over two years finally put into my car. (That task = 1/2 way accomplished. The speakers wouldn’t fit, so the radio’s in and the speakers I exchanged.)

But anyway, while I’m out, there’s a couple of emails and a phone call. Group representative urgently wants to speak to me…seems I didn’t get everything right on the updates. On and on it goes…Man, that pissed me off. I cussed the machine. ‘Cause I hauled ass to even get to reading the damn email, man. Let alone do all that shit.

But anyway, I haven’t called client back, nor used the after-hours cell number. And I’m not going to, most likely. At least, not before Monday, if it actually needs to be done then. At least 50% of the things people call about can be done easier through email anyway. Some things take a phone call, but I don’t know this is one of them.

Later tonight or in the morning, I’ll look at the corrections. Bad thing is, I’m sure she’s right. I rushed through that job like a mother-fucker, and have no doubt I missed some big stuff. That’s what happens when you send me 20+ pages of shit to do in a couple of days and I’m already maxed out, you know?

But it’s better for everybody if I take care of most of it first, and especially if i’m not pissed by the time i actually talk to her. which means there needs to be things like a shower, relaxation, time with my family and some sleep between me and that phone call. and that’s not going to all go down instantaneously, man.

that’s another quick business tip from the goddess - if humanly possible, never talk to a client when you’re pissed. also, don’t answer the phone when you’ve been sleeping. you need to be sharp if you may have a client call you, and it’s better for them to get the machine than for them to get your sleepy voice.

and i’ve addressed some things with this client already. i’ve raised their rates starting in a couple of months and set an end date for our regular work together. i’ve given them lead time so that they have a chance to finish their other arrangements up. so there is an end in sight…in another few months now. i just wasn’t in the mood for it.

anyway, that’s my work rant for today.