Comments on: How to handle writing revisions – without going insane!

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:13:58 +0000

Katherine, I totally agree about charging an hourly rate, versus a flat fee. Charging hourly incentivizes the client to get his/her act together – after all, they’re paying for your time. It’s better for you – and better for the client.

Thanks for your thoughts!

By: Joseph Gilday

Joseph Gilday — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:25:35 +0000

I’ve got a good one for you. No revisions. Even though revisions are needed.
One of my clients is fairly accessible and I have grilled him extensively in several 30 minute conversations since we began. He loves everything I do. The problem is there are holes. I see holes but need his input to fill them. I don’t think I’d be doing my job well if I just said “OK. Client likes it. Good enough for now. Check please.”
I’m not complaining, though. It’s nice to be in control of the revisions. (Not so, with my other current client!)

By: Katherine Andes

Katherine Andes — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:00:23 +0000

You all have just convinced me to stick with my hourly rate … I don’t want to have to start renegotiating every time a client changes his mind. And I don’t have much problem with revisions, maybe my clients realize they are paying for my time. Also, how in the heck can you get people on the phone? I do a detailed creative brief, but getting my clients (usually CEOs or Presidents) to return calls/emails is incredibly difficult most of the time. So I go ahead and write the pages and then they correct them once they see them.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:19:57 +0000

@Sian….I understand your pain. You may have the kind of client who doesn’t know what he wants until he sees the first (or second) draft. That does sound exasperating…but at least he’s paying you for the additional changes. That’s a blessing!

@Craig…ooh, I like your idea for a future blog post! Thank you!

By: craig wright

craig wright — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:03:26 +0000

I had this problem a lot in my early days of freelancing. Eventually, I set up terms and conditions that clearly state the quoted price is for a draft plus one round of revisions. But now that you have mentioned it, I am going to specify what can be included in those revisions.

Which brings up another issue – how to convince clients that they don’t need to fill their content with business-speak and jargon. For me, tone can be formal or chatty, but the content should always be in plain English, using industry specific terms where appropriate.

By: Sian Killingsworth

Sian Killingsworth — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:11:40 +0000

What perfect timing. I’m incredibly frustrated by a long-term client who regularly weasels out of giving clear, specific direction and then wants substantial changes after the fact. I’m ready to fire him! This particular case isn’t an issue of payment (he does pay for the additional work), but more of just sheer exasperation… Gah!