I have a client who has asked me to write for them exclusively... (same one who wants to talk on the phone)
The money would really have to right in order for me to consider it, but I have reservations as you can probably guess.
What makes this different from any other 9-5 job?
What are some drawbacks that y'all can think of?
My wife is kinda excited (she write also), she thinks it could be my break to go full time.
On a side note, this is why I don't like talking on the phone...questions like this always pop up and email gives me a chance to seek counsel and think it over.
plus here I am writing this when I should be finishing up the article I am working on LOL
Exclusivity isn’t likely to work out for you unless they are paying a shedload of money, plus it leaves you open to going broke when the contract eventually ends. I’ve had a lot of long term deals with clients that they ended overnight (almost) when priorities changed, so I think it’s a bad idea. The best approach (and protection) for a freelancer, I believe, is having several clients.
A few questions:
– Where do you live? (The U.S.?)
– Would this be a full-time job with them paying taxes, benefits, retirement contributions, paid sick leave, vacation time, etc.?
– Do you want potentially more stable full-time work from one employer rather than the flexibility and growth potential of freelancing?
If this company expect you to work for them exclusively as an independent contractor, the answer should be simple: “Hell no.” It is never a good decision to put all of your freelance eggs in one basket.
If you’re in the U.S. this probably wouldn’t even be legal. It would be an employer misrepresenting your status (you’re really an employee, but they declare you a contractor so they don’t have to pay their required tax portion, worker’s comp insurance, unemployment insurance, benefits, etc.).
If it’s a traditional full-time employment opportunity, you have to decide if that’s what you really want. The way I personally look at it is that freelancing is the far more stable option because you have the ability to diversify (if one “client” can’t afford you or otherwise drops you, you aren’t suddenly left with nothing, like countless employees have been with recent years’ economic troubles).
If this is a freelance job, I’d walk away, and quickly. It’s never really appropriate for a client to demand exclusivity on your time. As a freelancer, you have the legal right to take on work for multiple clients and to control your work schedule and process. Any client who tries to trample those rights better be in a position to offer a full-time employment opportunity, with all of the responsibilities that entails on their end. If not, they get cheap labor (as freelancers are cheaper than employees even with higher hourly rates) and you get screwed over with all of the lost opportunities.
Thanks for the info guys…
Jenn, you really shouldn’t hold back so much…tell me what you really think…lol
It was just an inquiry not a demand…I responded with “I would only consider it if you are offering a boatload of money”…
Not sure where this is going, but someone told me that this client is an “EXTREMELY important contact” for me to have…although I have been active in my niche for about 15 years (writing for three) and have never heard of them before…But new and “important” people are popping up every day…
I’m not known for my subtlety. 😉