Are you going to miss a Deadline? Has it come and gone?
As a freelance writer, most of your life is built around deadlines. One project is due today, another is due tomorrow, and a third one isn’t due until next month. Keeping all of this straight can be a pretty big task in its own right.
Like every writer, I do my best to meet every deadline – no matter how tight it may be. However, there may come a time when you overlook a deadline for one reason or the next. If this happens, follow these three tips:
1. Contact the client as soon as possible, making them aware of your situation. Chances are that if you miss a deadline altogether that the client is going to follow-up with you. Regardless, it is important that you stay in touch with the client. You don’t want to give the impression that you are being lazy or putting them off.
2. Offer to get the work done as soon as possible. If you miss a deadline, you should push the project to the top of your to-do list.
3. Go above and beyond. For example, you may offer a discount on the completed piece. Or maybe you can offer to write another article for free. This is not something you want to do but it can go a long way in keeping the relationship in good standing.
No matter if you know you are going to miss a deadline or it has come and gone, the above tips can help you smooth things over.
November 4th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
I’ve yet to miss a deadline, but I’m not so cocky as to think it could never happen. Advice lines 1 and 2 seem entirely appropriate to me. But advice line 3 really got my attention. As an editor I have had writers leave me hanging by not getting their work in to me on time – and that has rarely been beneficial to their future ability to write for the publication I was working for. However, had they tried advice line 3, it very well might have gotten them a second chance.
Missing a deadline isn’t good under any circumstances. But by taking responsibility for the miss, and offering a significant discount or even a freebie to make it clear that you don’t take the miss lightly either – that would make my editorial heart sing with joy, I’m sure.
I like working with writers who want to be part of the team more than they want to sell a piece. The advice you gave here was excellent. I have no doubt that it will save a business relationship or two if it’s followed as you intended it to be.