Readers!
Want to do some math? No? Okay but let's talk about freelance add ons, those extras that can be tacked onto an assignment but a client doesn't want to pay you for, the little "oh it won't take much time, could you…" or "this is for your benefit so could you…" or "we changed the contract and hope you'll sign it without noticing" or even just the "oh we didn't realize we had to pay for that."
Here's a few add ons I've encountered, and what I did about them.
The Ask: A Sidebar
The situation: During a phone meeting, I reached an agreement to write a 1,000 word story for $1,000. But when I read the contract, I saw it was $1,000 for 1,000 words plus a 250 sidebar "on something interesting that comes up during reporting."
The problem: What they really wanted was 1,250 words for $1,000.
What I did: I replied to the email with the contract, saying that they either had to cut the sidebar or change the fee to $1,250.
The resolution: They changed the fee to $1,250.
Lesson to learn: Read your contracts, and make sure they match your spoken or emailed agreement. Also, sidebars aren't jimmies top of a sundae: they're part of the work you are hired to do, and you should be paid for them.
The Ask: Social Media Posts
The situation: A brand wanted me to write a travel story for their website. When I got the contract, though, I saw that the assignment also included that I write three posts for the brand to use on their Facebook page, and write three tweets – that a they would approve – to send from my personal account.
The problem: My social media accounts are mine. Whether or not I chose to share a story is at my discretion. I wasn't going to give control of my social media accounts to a conglomerate, especially when social media posts were not part of the initial negotiation. Even if I agreed to it, they would have to pay for that additional work.
The resolution: I asked the social media requirements to be struck from the agreement. They refused. I declined the story.
Lesson to learn: Again, read your contracts, and make sure you know what you're getting into, and if you're comfortable with it. Maybe you'd be OK with them approving social media postings from your personal account – totally fine, but again, they should pay you for that work. I knew I wasn't, which is turned the story down when they said it was required. Also, a friend took the assignment and said they were a nightmare to work with, particularly the approving of the social media posts part.
The Ask: Upload the Assignment into the Client's Content Management System
The situation: After negotiating a story and a rate, I read the contract and saw that I would be responsible for putting the story into the content management system (CMS). Normally, I just turn in document. This would require me to be part of the production of the piece.
The problem: This is a no for me, because if I had to do this for every client, and learn all the ins and outs and quirks of every single CMS system, then I would lose hours of time on duties that I feel should be in the editor's wheelhouse, not the writer's. I'm hired to write a piece, not produce it.
What I did: I asked for that requirement to be struck from the agreement.
The solution: The editor struck it. I continue to turn in my stories the usual way: an emailed attachment.
Lesson to learn: Everything is negotiable. If the client wants to add more duties, they should pay for it. If not, they can handle that stuff themselves.
The Ask: Create a Playlist
The situation: I wrote a car travel story, which was edited, accepted, and approved. After I closed out the assignment, the editor asked me to write a road trip playlist to go along with the article.
The problem: That's asking for work after the story is already done, and beyond the scope of the agreement.
The solution: I asked to be paid for that work. The editor responded "it won't take too much time, can you just do it?" I said no. That was the end of that.
Lesson to learn: Work is work and you should be paid for it. I'm not here to do big car companies a favor out of the goodness of my heart.
The Ask: Appear on a Panel
The situation: A client asked me if I would speak on a panel adjacent to an event I was already attending.
The problem: They wanted me to represent their company, and speak on their behalf, and offered no fee. I should be paid for that.
The solution: I asked for a fee.
The solution: They paid me a fee.
Lesson to learn: Ask! I don't think they intentionally tried to not pay me, but they're used to working with full-time employees, who may feel that doing something like this is part of their regular job duties. There was no big hubbub about paying me – I just had to ask.
Have you encountered add ons before? Let me know!
Until Next Time,
Jen A. Miller
jenamiller.com
runningalovestory.com
twitter.com/byjenamiller
instagram.com/jenamillerrunner
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