3 Things a Freelancer Should Watch Out for When Working for a Friend
A friend from my old company approached me for a project. As we’re negotiating the terms, I can’t help but think of what a freelancer should watch out for when working for a friend.
Working with people you’re close with has its benefits. So is getting project specifications from someone who knows your abilities. These two are of course dependent on how close you both are, but at the very least, the familiarity can lead to a smoother working relationship.
Unfortunately, this familiarity can also cause some problems.
The Friendship Price
Don’t take it personally: a friend who’s asking if you can work at a significantly lower price is just trying to maximize his money. The fact that you’re friends increases the chances of savings.
Just remember that you’re out to make a living, so every project you take must be literally worth your time. The last thing you should do is work hard for meager returns.
The Rules Still Apply
If your friend’s project gets off the ground, submitting requirements on time and to spec are still important. Even more in fact, since friends usually expect better output from one another.
In other words, don’t let your friendship make you lax about getting things done. There’s a lot at stake here; other than your reputation as a freelancer, you also have to take the state of your friendship into account.
Nothing turns friends into enemies more than the frustration and embarrassment created by delays, especially delays caused by familiarity.
Just Say No
We all know how hard it is to say no to a friend. In fact, we’ve all taken advantage of this fact many times. Still, never let your friendship make you feel embarrassed about negotiating for better terms, or refusing the project outright if you can’t reach an agreement. If he’s really your friend, he’ll understand that it’s just business. And if not, well…
The More Things Change…
The three things listed above all have one thing in common: you should apply them when dealing with relative strangers. The friendship price is actually a form of trying to negotiate the lowest price possible for your services. Obviously, ensuring things are done on time and to spec applies to all your projects. And saying no is an important skill needed to make sure you’re adequately rewarded for your efforts.
Ironically, dealing with friends is not that different from dealing with other clients. But when working a friend, you have to be more productive and professional than usual. Because he’s your friend, the expectations are greater. Ultimately, that’s what you have to watch out for.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Great Advice, Living as a Freelancer, On Freelancing
2 opinions for 3 Things a Freelancer Should Watch Out for When Working for a Friend
Jennifer
Jul 22, 2007 at 12:46 am
Before I started doing mostly blogs and articles I did a lot of business writing. I was willing to help friends with resumes for a lower cost but people always want more.
I’ve had friends ask me to do proposals for seriously hundreds less than a proposal is actually worth. So, what I finally did was make up a cheat sheet called, “How to write a proposal”. I put everything in; how to find funders, what the components of a proposal are, the submission portion. It took maybe an hour or two. When friends ask me to write them a proposal cheap, I say sure I’ll help and hand them the sheet. Now, I never get asked by friends who have that sheet to write for a lower fee because they see how much work it is.
Rico
Jul 22, 2007 at 9:49 pm
That’s a wonderful idea Jennifer! Just like any other client, friends have to be aware of how much work is needed, so that they’ll be willing to pay more. Your cheat sheet is a great way to do this! :)
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: