As freelance writers, I feel pretty confident when saying I believe we all love our jobs. Full of variety, potentially very lucrative and often seeing us being able to be as involved with our clients as we wish (not forgetting the ability to work in our pyjamas, on occasion), for many, it’s the perfect career option.
Every freelance writer wants to shout and scream for one reason or another at some point throughout their career
But as I’m sure we all know, it’s not always so fantastic. Things happen that we don’t like. Sometimes they are things we don’t have any control over and sometimes they are things we do, but regardless, they are always things that we don’t like.
And when we’re faced with such things, we all react. It’s a natural instinct.
But when you’re faced with these situations, how do you personally react?
Do you react angrily or do you react quietly? Do you say something to the client (if applicable) or do you let it pass by?
Personally, i tend to be somewhere in the middle.
For instance, I sometimes get annoyed when a client expects things to happen after a deadline has passed. I don’t mind when the deadline can be moved, but for a deadline that is strict (such as when I’m going on vacation), when the client gets somewhat angered that I can’t make an edit on a piece I submitted before I go away, for example, it riles me. They know I’m going away and they’ve had plenty of notice, so why be surprised that I can’t make an edit?
When I’m faced with a situation like this, I first take a few breaths (otherwise I may end up saying something I regret later!) and then I draft an e-mail.
Within the e-mail, I’ll be friendly but strict, getting straight to the point, explaining that the deadline has passed and as discussed, I’m unable to make any amendments until x date. I’ll apologise (although this is potentially because I’m a Brit!) and send the e-mail.
Generally speaking, the client will be happy with my response and we’ll work together once again when I return. I feel good about myself, the client understands that their edit will be made in the near future and and no one is negatively affected.
Whilst I’m sure this wouldn’t annoy others, it’s this variety in the freelance writing industry that makes it such an interesting one to be a part of and so, when you’re faced with situations that annoy and anger you, how do you react?
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