Apr 07 2009
Being a Responsible Writer
Are you a responsible writer? I’m in the process of learning a valuable lesson. I sort of screwed up and it may have cost me a client. Here’s the scoop. With the influx of people contacting me for writing assignments, I accidentally misplaced one of the emails and totally forgot about someone. Seriously, I forgot about them all together.
This person contacted me today to see how the article was coming along, and I had a panic attack. As soon as I saw their name in the from field, I knew I was in trouble. I sent them an apology letter and told them what had happened. But more important, I took responsibility for my actions. I didn’t make any excuses, like the dog ate my computer or anything like that. I was honest and told them that I’d forgotten about the email.
This person sent a message back and sounded like they understood and had forgiven me, but I guess time will tell. I went ahead and finished the article, then told the client that there was no charge. I feel so guilty for spacing them off, that I didn’t think asking for money would be appropriate. I had made a mistake but that doesn’t make it easier for a client who’s expecting an article on time.
In my real world life, I’m a Boy Scout leader. One of the things I try to teach the kids, and my own children for that matter, is that we all must be responsible for what we do and say. It’s the same thing for writers. When someone asks us to write for them, we have to be responsible enough to do the work in a timely manner, and make sure that they’re happy with the end results.
I hope the client is happy with the article, and that they will come to me again in the future. Though it’s true that stuff happens, it’s also true that we writers have an obligation to meet our deadlines and have the decency to be held accountable for what we put down into words. When there are a few or a hundred other people out there reading the things we have to say, we need to take into consideration that those words may hit home with some. We need to be responsible writers.
I too have been in simular situations with clients and I’ve found as long as your honest and upfront, most of the time the client will forgive you and come back. The main thing is confessing your mistake and making it right. I try to incorporate that to my kids too.
Sounds to me like that client will come back to you again. People appreicate honesty in any business.
I am very happy to announce that not only did the client pay me in full, he went so far as to laugh at me, then tell me that my next assignment will be coming this weekend. I was very happy to hear that
Great advice, especially if you are trying to build a working reputation. Skill is important, but so is reliability.
I’m glad things worked out for you! Have fun on the next assignment..
@ deanna–Exactly, no matter how much you know about the business, if you have a reputation of no being reliable, you might as well give up.
@ icybc–Thanks honey. I haven’t heard from the client on the next assignment, but with it being Easter weekend, I’m not too worried.
Thanks for stopping by.