I lost a freelance job last week. I actually lost a job that I did not even pursue or ask for. Let me explain.
Being a hyperlocal blogger, I post a lot of videos on my site that I produce. The videos are mainly of local events or gatherings. I do it for fun and not profit up to this point. I do it for content. It accomplishes a couple of things for me. It sets my site apart from others and it also helps me to continue to refine my abilities as a videographer and video editor. It’s not easy doing either. I shoot video mostly with a Canon XH A1 and I edit in Final Cut Express. The camera will do things I can’t even imagine. Final Cut Express requires a huge learning curve but it’s an amazing video editor. I’m decent at both, but no means great. But like everything else, if you can do something that others can’t, the others usually consider you somewhat of an expert.
I recently shot a video of an event in my hometown. I put quite a lot of time into it because it was high profile. The video turned out great. A lot of high profile people viewed it and I got a ton of positive feedback. I didn’t charge a dime for it. I actually burned a DVD copy and gave it to the organizer of the event. It’s all part of my overall networking plan for my hyperlocal blog.
The result of the video is that I was asked to do a freelance video job. I agreed to discuss it and actually had a couple of meetings. Let me say that I was not crazy about doing the paid job because of the extra baggage and worry. Equipment malfunctions are always a possibility. The possibility of producing a great video in my eye but not in the eye of the one hiring me. Underestimating the time to complete the project and deliver it based on my quote. There are many other factors also when it comes to video production.
One of the first things I asked this client was what is your budget? I was met with a stone face stare and told “I don’t know”. The scope of the project was outlined and discussed and I again asked what the budget was. Again, I was not given an answer. This was a client who could easily afford to pay for a quality project. This was not a small business without a budget. The ability for this client to pay was not a factor with me. They had a job they wanted performed by me. I had to determine what I would do it for, plain and simple. I hate situations like this. I was going to have to show my cards while they did not want to show theirs. Cat and mouse.
Now the hard part. I gave the project a lot of thought. I had 3 meetings with this client. I easily invested 4-5 hours of my time. I determined what I was willing to produce the video for. My name would be on it and most likely a lot of people would view the video over time. It was a project that could possibly even be distributed nationally. It was a video that would serve a niche. It had to do with safety, security and and training for a life threatening situation. After research and consultation with a professional videographer, I submitted an estimate that was half of what the “Professional” would have submitted. I was willing to work and produce for the price I quoted.
Upon my third meeting with this client, I submitted my estimate. Mind you, I was never given a budget. As I handed the paperwork over, my client looks at me and says “I hope its not going to be too bad”.
That was reassuring as the paper left my hand and into my clients. As they open the paperwork they winced and actually scooted in their chair as if they were sitting on a hot plate. As you can imagine, we both became immediately uncomfortable. I submitted a bid way over what they expected. The client is now facing a budget problem that throws a monkey wrench into what they were hoping to accomplish. Guess what? I’m the monkey wrench now through no fault of my own. I did not like my position and was very uncomfortable.
The project was even discussed with others in front of me about the possibility of getting others to contribute to the project. I am now in the unenviable position of being a problem with the project. They were very nice about it, but I wanted to be somewhere else. I’m sitting there thinking, I didn’t ask for this job. I was not given a budget for this job. I had already produced a video for them for free that was worth several hundred dollars. I’ve got about 5 hours into this already and it’s not looking good. I felt like I had put myself in a situation and had not handled it correctly from the start. I was a little peeved at myself, not my client. I actually like the client very much. I failed to handle this situation properly.
5 days before the project I received an e-mail that I would not be doing the video. Their budget could not handle it. I have no idea at this point if someone else came in and did the job or not. I am a little curious but it really doesn’t bother me if someone else did or not. I know what I was going to deliver to this client, and I determined what I would do it for. Could I have used the money? Yes, of course. Could I have used the exposure it would have afforded me? Yes, of course again.
This situation all goes back to an earlier article I wrote here on Bloggerlens. Build a great hyperlocal blog and get paid for it. I’m working hard to create my own job on my own terms with my hyperlocal blog. I am determined to retain control over what I do. My desire is to make money with my community site, but to do it on my terms. You may call me crazy, but I’ve done crazier things in my life. For the past 3 years I’ve been involved in real estate and construction. I’ve given a ton of things away in an effort to get a job or to make a client happy. For the most part, it does not work for you. It works for those you give freebies to but it leaves you with a sinking feeling of un-accomplishment. (not sure if that’s a word).
Lessons I learned from this:
You may be a freelancer yourself and you may handle these types of situations different than I would. I expect that I will have many, many more opportunities from my hyperlocal blogging efforts and I will deal with them this way.
1. A prospective client must give me a ballpark budget before I will estimate a job. This is probably something I will not waiver on in the future. Most people have no idea of what it takes to put a video together, or build an ad or something of this nature. They only see the final product and don’t have a clue as to the knowledge required or time spent on the production.
2. Don’t show your cards first. If you don’t have a budget, call me again when you do. The easiest way to lose a a poker hand is to show your cards to the other player. You almost cannot win.
3. If and when you tell me your budget, I will base my estimate on your budget. Another words, if you can only afford $500, I will tell you what I will do for $500. If you like it, we will move forward. At least we will have a baseline to work with. If you want more, we’ll go higher. If you want to pair it down, we can do that also.
I would love to hear your suggestion as to how you handle these types of situations. When you start a hyperlocal blog, you will be faced with these situations sooner or later. Personally, I feel that how you will handle this will determine your failure or success. I experienced failure because I did a poor job of handling it. As I approach business for advertisements or I’m approached for other freelance jobs, I will be better prepared now. I hope that you will be too.
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