For any of you just breaking into freelancing, here are a few things to consider when someone calls you looking for your rates and availability.
Yes, it's thrilling to get called, especially when you've been wondering if the phone was ever going to ring. However, it's really important to not lose your head and start grasping at the job like a five year old having at a busted pinata.
Curb your exuberance and ask yourself the following. You might even want to ask the person calling you some of these questions...
* Why are they calling you?
* Who did they use the last time they hired someone?
* Why aren't they calling them back?
Sometimes the last person is 1) no longer in business, 2) no longer in the area, 3) simply unavailable. Sometimes the person calling you is new to the job and has no clue who they used before. Sometimes the client has never used anyone before. These are all good things.
However, if there was some sort of falling out between the client and their last vendor, keep in mind: there are TWO sides to every story. Yes, you must absolutely make note of what the client tells you about the previous vendor's deficiencies. But, if they start to get wound up telling you about the last vendor, when you hear their tone tense, when you start to sense any vitriol, you'd better be seeing the red flags. Sometimes it might have been an amicable parting of the ways. But, if not, you really owe it to yourself to step lightly, lest you become their next target. You might want to see if they have a history of dealing with poorly-performing vendors... |
