All posts in the ‘ Dealing with People ’ Category

One of the great things about making art is the opportunity to collaborate with other creators. You get to borrow each other’s brains, see stories through one another’s eyes, and create things together that neither of you could have created on your own.

There’s just one little thing: it can be really hard to collaborate with other people.… Read More

Have you ever felt like a jerk because a client asked for something you hadn’t originally agreed on and you said no? Even though you were totally in the right?

Or because a client, who was over a month late in paying you, got upset about the late fee you charged them?

If you have, or if you feel intimidated when you have to enforce … Read More

Most freelancers don’t start working for themselves because they want the opportunity to be constrained in their work. They aren’t looking for limits or extra hurdles to jump.

As a result many freelancers don’t have policies for their business. They don’t have rules about what their business will and won’t do, what they’ll accept from their clients and what they won’t.

But what they don’t … Read More

You’re in the middle of a weird coding issue that is jamming up the launch of a client’s new site when your phone rings.

It’s one of your other clients, Jane, who always seems to have “unique” problems.

Against your better judgement you answer.

She’s calling to complain about your most recent invoice. She doesn’t think it should have taken you half as long as … Read More

It’s not enough to say that women need to “lean in” and ask for what they want.

It’s not enough to say that people react negatively when women “lean in” and ask for what they want.

Neither approach actually helps someone accomplish anything. It just encourages, or discourages, behavior.

Women can negotiate just as well as men, but no one negotiates well if they don’t … Read More

Life is too short to work with bad clients.

Sometimes, despite your best attempts to save the situation, the time arrives to cut a client loose so you can focus your energy on more fruitful endeavors.

When that time comes, don’t drag it out or give them 42 second chances. Make it quick and be direct so you can both move on.… Read More

Would you like to avoid clients that suck up all your time with petty demands and complaints, then try to haggle over the final payment?

Would you prefer to spend your time working on the thing you’re really good at, rather than trying to collect on overdue invoices?

Would you like to avoid being named “Top Contributor!” on Clients From Hell?

Then, friendly freelancer, … Read More

I’m pretty good at helping people break down what’s happening in a conflict and figure out the best way to address it.

Thirty minutes with me and you’ll be all, “Conflict? What conflict? Pass me the cookie tray! Have you seen that Youtube video where the squirrel and the Bernese Mountain dog are best friends?”

But as much fun as I have tackling conflicts, I … Read More