Questions for Contractors and/or Freelancers

[Sodahead]

The TMF seems to attract a variety of people so I assume at least some of you, like me, make their living by doing contract/free lance work. Without divulging the exact nature of my work or revealing who all I work for, I contract with a number of Universities and Venues providing a variety of media services during sporting events. I really enjoy the work I do and I usually make enough money to get by.

However, since I'm relatively new to the game (I finished college in 2012) I have a basic question that I'm hoping someone can provide some insight to.

How do you ensure you'll always be compensated? I ran into a major problem this winter. I was schedueled to work at an outdoor event that was canceled at the very last minute due to a winter storm that pummeled my hometown. (We can't handle snow here in the south.) As a result I had no time to book anything else for myself, I didn't get paid and it proved to be a major set back.

Obviously, part of that comes with the territory of this type of work. And while I'm not asking for full union benefits or anything, is it unreasonable to request some kind of small fee for retaining my services? I feel like, as someone who does great work for this particular institution, it only seems fair that there is some kind of guarantee on my end, that if an event falls through, I'll at least be able to make rent and buy ramen noodles or something. I've always had their back, it would be nice if they had mine when I'm in a pinch.

Does anyone else ever find themselves in similar situations?

 

[PiedPiper]

Assuming you employ some form of mutual agreement in your projects,... whether an actual contract, a "proposal" letter (as I used to call them), a memo covering performance details & costs,... whatever,... simply include a stipulation covering such occasions,..... a booking fee, if you will.

Seems like this should be a pretty lucrative field.

 

[Flatfoot]

ALWAYS use a contract, and include a stipulation that compensates you in instances like these. When agreeing to provide a service, there is an associated opportunity cost for tying yourself to one person or group--that's money you're not making elsewhere. Don't be afraid to charge for services and know the value of your time! Here's a good article that elaborates further on some things that may benefit you:

http://lifehacker.com/five-things-i-learned-in-my-first-year-of-entrepreneurs-1594866459?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_facebook&utm_source=lifehacker_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

 

[Sodahead]

ALWAYS use a contract, and include a stipulation that compensates you in instances like these. When agreeing to provide a service, there is an associated opportunity cost for tying yourself to one person or group--that's money you're not making elsewhere. Don't be afraid to charge for services and know the value of your time! Here's a good article that elaborates further on some things that may benefit you:

http://lifehacker.com/five-things-i-learned-in-my-first-year-of-entrepreneurs-1594866459?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_facebook&utm_source=lifehacker_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Thanks for the input. The terms of my contract have always been very vague so I'll work on getting something a little more concrete from here on out

 

[Sodahead]

Seems like this should be a pretty lucrative field.

It certainly has the potential to be. Thanks for the advice!

 

[SeeksRapunzel]

I've done a lot of freelance work editing novels. In the freelance world, there's no shame in having folks meet you halfway. I've always asked for something up front, with the remained due upon completion of the work. Contracts are fine, but they are way harder to litigate when both parties are in separate states. You also might want to try to get involved with a group that does similar work as you (though i don't know what it is you're doing) -- there are artistic groups, almost like unions of a sort, where you can get a few people behind you if you find yourself in a bind. I'm in the Horror Writers Association, and they've stepped up many times where writers were dealing with shady zine editors and such. Good luck 🙂