I usually charge for small projects up-front. Meaning if you want me to write you a letter or one press release or a small two-page website, I take payment right away to put you on my schedule. I just don’t want to be chasing people for $200, etc. 

Anyway, I had this one guy who really didn’t want to do that. Thought things would go wrong, that I’d keep his money and deliver nothing, etc. I take great care to project an image of trust (being a BBB member, have easy to find contact info, etc), and we eventually worked it out. He paid, I scheduled him, he gave me the info I needed, and I did the job about two weeks later (as scheduled.)

I spent the better part of an afternoon on this project - it was a short e-mail letter, and I made two versions. I reread what I crafted, was pleased with my efforts, thought the client would be pleased at getting a second version, and sent it off.

He hated it. Flat out hated it.

Now, I’ll admit up front this is not a common thing. In fact, it never happens. Over the past five years, I can count the number of unhappy clients on one hand and still have fingers left over.

His reasoning for hating it wasn’t so much what I said, it was the fact that I mis-interpreted the scope of his business. I send a pretty detailed questionnaire (which he filled out), but there were a few answers (plus the business name) that definitely led me down the wrong path. In short, I probably took them too literally. It’s not a big deal - it can definitely happen in this business.

Figures it would be this guy, huh? The one who originally thought things would go wrong and he would get screwed out of his money. Well, things went wrong. He was pretty unhappy.

So what did I do? I didn’t wait for him to ask - I offered him a full refund. No questions, no problem, no “I spent all day on this.” I asked if he wanted me to fix it, or would he like a refund. I even steered him towards a refund, because it’s been my experience that on the odd chance I completely miss the mark with my work, it is best to shake hands like gentlemen and offer a refund.

I could tell from his e-mail response that he was surprised. Pleasantly surprised. He took the refund, which I was all too happy to give.

The story still has a happy ending. I kept my good name, I felt good about how I do business, and there’s a client out there who might feel a little better about trusting true professionals (even when they botch it! )

I just got an e-mail from this guy in the UK about an hour ago. He needs articles written. Specifically, 1,000 word articles.

He tells me that he has 4 writers in the US currently writing for him at the rate of 7.50 GBP per article, and can I match that rate?

So I’m looking at this and thinking… “wait, there must be some other meaning for GBP… because he can’t possibly mean British Pound, could he? Because that translates to about 12 bucks and change. And a professional 1,000 word article is like… prettymuch a half day’s work at minimum for any writer. Probably a full day for many, also”.

But of course, he did mean British Pounds and not “Gobs of Beer and Pretzels” or some other form of trade I might be interested in (those brits can certainly make some excellent beer!)

Anyway, I wrote back with a polite note saying essentially “not even close”, although I really wanted to say “are you @#$%ing kidding me??”  But the professional in me says to keep it clean and instead complain right here.

But my point of this post really isn’t to complain about the guy… what puzzles me is there are writers out there who will actually work for this (I’m probably stretching this that these are real writers working for this rate. They are probably cut and paste hacks…)

But let’s assume they are writers…. listen, that rate isn’t even worth “well, I’m getting experience”. Because you aren’t. What you’re getting is friggen exploited for some moron’s SEO purposes. Wake up, chumly - there’s plenty of good paying work out there - don’t give guys like this the satisfaction of exploiting you. 

Anyway, there’s my “need a good night’s sleep and won’t get it until the construction guys finish” rant for the week. House looks great - probably another week to go.

Ok, we’re getting the house worked on this month - they started last week, and are heavy into it right now. Getting a new roof, new siding, and a new bathroom - big time work.

You know, it’s really hard to work/write with all this banging and commotion. I’m used to maybe my cat getting a bit restless during the day, and that’s prettymuch all the interruptions I have. But this… this is really hard to work around.

But I’m not complaining. Know why? Because three guys just spent the last two days on my roof. In 90+ degree heat. With a seriously strong sun beating down on them….  whatever I could find to bitch about pales in comparison to that. I mean, really… what do I have to complain about?? What, the friggen ”S” key stuck again? Because that’s how silly my complaints would seem to me now that I saw what these guys do. Man o man… that’s tough work.

Gotta give my contractors a plug (Greg, and his sons Kris and Jason). Seriously talented and hardworking guys. So if you ever need a Kingston NY Contractor, give Creative Home Improvements a call (845.338.1985). These guys do EVERYTHING (roofing, siding, carpentry, flooring, and even electrical and plumbing), and are easily the most professional and competent contractors I have ever worked with. Real nice guys too.

A few pics

That last one is the new siding color.

I was interviewed on the radio yesterday, (a talk radio Home Based Business show). In it, I talk about business in the current economy, what I did to combat such and make business better, etc etc - it’s a solid half hour of Dan goodness (this is assuming you think a half hour of me is good, of course - I imagine there are a few folks out there who would think that’s 29 minutes too many, but I digress…)

Ok, click this link:  Dan Furman Interview . Then look to the left, click “Home Based Business”, then look for the 8/13 show in the list- that one is me. Save it to your computer, then pour yourself some coffee (or  perhaps something stronger.)

Happy listening.

I got this e-mail the other day from a reader who owns and operates a Winnipeg Pet Sitting Service (hey, if you write me as letter this nice, the least I can do is give a plug). It was so nice I thought I’d reprint it here (with her permission, of course).

Hi Dan,

This is my first ever “fan mail”, but I am totally compelled to write you, and tell you how fantastic I think your writing advice is.

I purchased your book at McNally Robinson (in Winnipeg) which led me to your site.  Several times I went into the bookstore and read snippets of your book “Do the Web Write”, until one day I figured I should just go ahead and buy it, and enjoy it at home.

As a young woman and home-based business owner in Winnipeg Manitoba, I built my own website (winnipegpetsit.com) when I started my pet sitting business.

My website is my hub, so it’s very important for it to be the best “face”

for the business I can make it.

With your advice on secondary landing pages, and google AdWords I’ve done a lot of restructuring, and all of your suggestions are working.  I’m also working on a fly-out menu (it’s a work in progress), because I think it will give more structure and flow to my site.

But your most valuable advice has definitely been on style. I’m reading all of your articles on your site, and I love them all.  You always say that your reader should want to take action, and your articles seriously compelled me!

Thank you, I’m a devoted reader now.