FREELANCERS: Where Do You Draw The Line For What You're Willing To Do?

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Warning: video ID not specified!

Most of this blog post is in the above video, so I won’t reiterate it too much here. I just wanted to hear from other freelancers what you are or are not willing to do in your line of work for a paycheck. Where do you draw the line morally, ethically or just plain and simply based on your experience and goals?

Please leave your answers in the comments below, and let’s learn from each other as we undergo some self-examination and perhaps revelation. Okay, start typing…

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Comments ( 9 )

It’s a tough call I would say, especially with the ongoing financial challenges at the beginning phases of working as a freelancer. Starting out as a freelancer I personally felt that I had to take whatever opportunity came my way, no matter the client, project nature etc. But I think once you can place yourself in a fortunate enough position as you establish yourself as a freelancer you can start being more picky with the kind of projects and clients you want to associate yourself with.

From a professional point of view I will never negotiate over my quality of work just to come in on a lower price for a project, even if the client is okay with “not the best”. Other potential clients look at your quality of work and will most definitely do harm to your reputation as a freelancer. I believe that quality clients appreciate quality work.

Then there is also the ethical aspect where you decide which kind of projects you associate yourself with. I think it’s absolutely crucial to keep that in mind because it tells a lot about your character and level of professionalism.

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Ryno Burger added these pithy words on Oct 29 09 at 12:50 pm

(I apologize in advance if I come across as a bit rambly– r.)

think there are a two veins of discussion here: One related to overall subject matter, and another on the “meat” of the work itself.
As far as subject, I have to say that politically I’m willing to be somewhat flexible. I believe in plurality and in the idea that everyone deserves to be heard, so I might take a gig for something/one whose views are different than mine. That being said, however, I’ll go on record and say that I will avoid taking a job that goes against my moral/spiritual compass.

Thankfully I haven’t really had to compromise on quality of work. Sure, the clients may not always make the design choice I’d like them to make, but ultimately the decision is theirs. I’m getting paid to take their ideas and make them as aesthetically pleasing to them as possible. So I have to disagree with Ryno on those grounds. If I don’t think the work is the best representation of my abilities, I don’t feel I necessarily need to show it. But, doing my best (regardless of my personal aesthetics) to make the client happy may end up providing future business. So I guess I can live with that.

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rafael armstrong added these pithy words on Oct 29 09 at 1:39 pm

Awesome question… I ask myself everyday. Ethic’s isn’t the issue for me, as I agree with what you said. My clients are predominately small businesses and non-profits.

My clients seem to always ask for more after the deal is done. For example, expect me to help them setup their Outlook with their new email, or I’ve even been asked to check their new email until they have time to log in. They ask for me to purchase domains for them, or even write copy for the site after months of never sending you anything.

I find it very hard to draw the line in customer service when the client needs your opinion on where to run their next add, or what should their next blog post be. They ask how do you do an email blast, etc. It just goes on & on… I sometimes feel that I should charge like lawyers, per email, phone call and meeting, but then I feel like that might be bad customer service, or fear they will quit calling me and find someone who will talk to them for free.

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Lorilee Rager added these pithy words on Oct 29 09 at 1:39 pm

I think the biggest thing to do up front as a freelancer is have an actual contract with what the “job” entails. Detail it out and go from there, and it won’t have to pay for it later when they ask for things that aren’t on there. I hate having to be in the position where I feel I need to do more to keep a client, when I could instead stand my ground and go back to what we both signed off on. I like to have 3 milestone signoffs along the way of a project too where I get paid at those points and the client can take any of my work elsewhere if they aren’t satisfied with how things have been done. In terms of ethical works…I really use my best judgment for the project. I could easily do design work for a pornographic company, but it probably isn’t going to be the first (if any) item in my portfolio.

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Michael Metzger added these pithy words on Oct 29 09 at 8:37 pm

Lorilee, I understand your plight. All too often clients expect to have a long term support relationship without a support contract. I, too, always say we should charge like attorneys do (from an agency perspective, as I am not a freelancer.)

Another thought on this topic, managing social media…. If a client already has a Fan Page or Group on Facebook, and you become a Fan or Group Member for them to add you as an Admin, then it appears in the Newsfeed and on your own Facebook profile. I reserve Facebook for personal use (have written a blog about this), and, getting to my long-winded point… do you appear to be “endorsing” a product by becoming a Fan or Group member of a client’s page? I think, most certainly – yes. But some people say that no one really judges by your list of Fan Pages or Groups – but I do! If I get a friend request, I always check them out first and if they have some questionable loyalties on their profile that I do not subscribe to or that I am offended by, I will not friend them. However, the client has been qualified, but may have a business that you do not necessarily want to shout out to the world that you are a Fan of – for example, perhaps a medical institution that you are not a patient of, or have no hands-on experience with their services. Do you go ahead and Fan them for all of your friends to see? I believe in being transparent, albeit a differentiation between my personal and professional networks, but still want to only publish quality content and endorsements that I *truly* believe in and would recommend to my closest friends, family, and business networks. Any thoughts on this? I think I just discovered my next blog topic

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Vanessa Knipper added these pithy words on Oct 29 09 at 8:48 pm

Brian,

Interesting thought. I think with these tough times I am more willing to compromise what I would do if it meant having a roof over my head or a cardboard box. I don’t really have too many things that are taboo for me. I personally would do a pornographic site for the money, but I wouldn’t put it in my portfolio. That isn’t because I am embarrassed but more like unless I specialized in porn sites, there would be no need for it to be in there, especially if other clients will see it. It may offend them and cost me a job.

I do draw the line on social/moral/political issues. I would never do a site that promotes hate or endorses the taking away of rights from anyone for any reason. I know they can go find someone else willing to do it and that is fine, but sometimes you have to draw the line and just say, “Hell no!”.

As for what Lorilee mentioned about people asking for things after you have done your job, I have problems with saying no to that. I tend to be more sympathetic to people who don’t understand as much since I am self-taught myself and I try to help as much as I can to a point. Once I see that I am being taken advantage of, I cut it off and tell them I can help them for an hourly rate.

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April (@OneLuvGurl) added these pithy words on Oct 30 09 at 2:25 pm

As far as deal-breaker industries — Porn would not be on my list however the church of Satan or any religious site would be, and I have turned away work from churches who have asked for my services, in fact. It’s all just each persons personal choice and I don’t think there is *any* right or wrong. These are OUR BUSINESSES and our personal brands, the work we do reflects on that and defines us, for sure. It’s hard to make any blanket statement, and alienate any specific industry, but I basically don’t want any part in anything that promotes excluding people and that can apply to a few different industries. But, of course I always look at it on a case by case basis, cause there are exceptions to everything.

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Liz added these pithy words on Oct 30 09 at 2:46 pm

Hi Brain,

Thanks for making this post a video…it’s nice seeing you

As for your question, I think about this with every job as I was raised with the strictest of morals and ethics. I say this a very good way too.

So I definitely agree with you on the Porn, etc. issues.

To answer in a simple way: if I take a job and feel that I will not be able to go to bed that night and feel good about myself, I will turn it down.

And, if asked by the client, I will have no problem telling them in a very tactful manner.

Yes, I am new to the biz and need the money but mostly, PQR Designs+ must first built a reputable name. This to me most important.

Pam

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Pam R added these pithy words on Nov 01 09 at 2:49 pm

Its also important to remember that you shouldn’t just accept every job. You need to have a moral ground and not work for peanuts. There are plenty of people out there ready to take advantage of you and request the world!

If you think the offer is hard to meet, simply refuse the work. Sometimes even when you’re desperate – its better to maintain a good company image – be too cheap – they’ll think the outcome will be too

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