We CAN do it. And if you don't pay us, we WILL do it to you.
One more entry into the annals of Freelance Isn’t Free. If you don’t think the ability to look a client in the eye and hold his stuff for ransom is a key business skill, you are not ready to freelance, trust me.
Client: Yeah, we’re not paying for this.
Me: Why not? I’ve spent three weeks on this.
Client: Because we can just use the sample you sent us. Think ahead next time.
Me: But it has the words ‘sample’ across it and it’s four times too small.
Client: Ah. Crap. We need you to send us the final version then.
Me: After I receive payment, sure.
Client: Is that really necessary?
Apparently it is.
raincoaster media 
Nikki Reimer
April 22, 2012
Wow.
raincoaster
April 23, 2012
I have actually had to do something similar to this, twice. Never worked with those people again, but I’m always happy to send them a quote. I figure out what I’d charge for it, then I triple it. Once, I got to their shortlist; that made me really nervous I might have to accept the gig.
Richard
April 23, 2012
The first brief thought that goes through your mind is that they are kidding, but then when you look them in the eye and see they aren’t, you shift slightly in your chair so they can see the butt of the pistol sticking out of your waistband.
raincoaster
April 23, 2012
That would work too.
readytochangenow
April 23, 2012
I tried that once – overbid a contract so I wouldn’t have to do it – then I fell off my chair when they accepted. My first thought was ‘Crap, now I have to do their project’, my second thought was ‘Have I been under charging all this time’?
raincoaster
April 23, 2012
Really? That’s so awesome, actually. Did the extra money make it worth it?
readytochangenow
April 24, 2012
No – it still sucked; but I did raise my bill rate after that.
raincoaster
April 24, 2012
I believe it.
readytochangenow
April 24, 2012
You are up pretty early :-)
raincoaster
April 24, 2012
Or late…
readytochangenow
April 24, 2012
Egads!
Jane Victoria King
April 26, 2012
You’re not “Free” and your name isn’t “Lance” – NEVER use that word!
raincoaster
April 27, 2012
Ahem. “Freelance” is a marvelous word which has its origins in the Middle Ages. Knights who had sworn no allegiance to any particular lord were free lances, choosing their associations at will and negotiating their own settlements. It is a model of independence and self-determination.
Jane Victoria King
April 29, 2012
Ahhhh…. very interesting! My opinion has been revised! Tx!