MSGhero 2013-04-25 14:08:40

Dealing with people is always an issue. Good luck with future projects!

I'll read your blog if you post more lol.

HongKongBong 2013-04-25 17:37:22

Nice read, pretty informative.
Lol, look at our icons at the front page by the way!

Nanashi 2013-04-25 19:02:49

In my case I don't have to worry about contracts, but I work in higher volumes, with jobs taking hours to days and no longer. I always start with smaller projects to build up a relationship with the client. If they fail to pay, they've only shot themselves in the foot, as they'll only have one 'free' job and a lot of bad press.

That said, how are you liking setting your own hours and such? I think we all find it takes a healthy dose of self-discipline, but for me, my free time and flexible schedule are priceless. I highly recommend anyone with the needed skill set look into freelance or starting a business (if you don't have dependents). It is scary sometimes, but you truly get out of it what you put into it unlike regular jobs. Most of all, it is nice to feel like a human being, not a machine under someone's foot ready to crap out content upon command.

SWiTCH 2013-04-26 16:15:06

If you don't have some sort of intermediary escrow service that guarantees payment (Iike elance.com), then you need to ask for payment in milestones. For example, half upon finished storyboards, and half upon completion. Then stipulate that you won't send the high res final version until you get final payment. You can do any sort of milestone schedule (4 installments, 10 installments, whatever). Make sure you have a small enough amount of work between payments such that if your client flaked out and didn't pay an installment it wouldn't ruin you. It's only fair that you're not the only one shouldering the risk.
And you need to keep finding work even when you already have some to fill in the time that you're waiting on feedback or waiting to get paid. Some clients pay late or not at all, but most I think are good about it.
This is with regard to remote work. If you're on site you can't really ask for milestones, but yeah, a firm contract is a necessity. Even on site though, I don't think it's unfair to ask for payment at certain intervals. May not be normal, but you gotta protect yourself, especially if your livelihood depends on one project.
This is what I've found freelancing. It's still pretty fuckin' difficult to make it work.