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Re: how long to give a client to decide on a project
Subject:Re: how long to give a client to decide on a project From:Johanna <chazjo -at- magma -dot- ca> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 22 Mar 2001 17:30:02 -0500
Hi David,
Thanks for the sound advice. While I did do a design
document and flushed out a
toc based on the needs of their system (and users) I
did not leave the document
with them. The client sheepishly asked but I quickly
backed off when I informed
him that nothing but the cost estimate would change
hands before a contract was
signed. But yes, I should have specified an expiry
date for the estimate. And
yes, I did a lot of upfront work but I had some time
on my hands and wanted to
be thorough so I did it - this time.
And yes, I did put in a lot of upfront work so I am
hesitant about walking away.
And yes, for future reference, I should have either
asked for their budget or
thrown out some numbers and seen their sticker shock
at the start.
Thanks again for the advice.
Johanna
> Johanna, you did a design document as part of your proposal to a client and
> are waiting for the client to make up his mind while possibly passing up
> other opportunities. I've been a free-lance writer myself and managed and
> used them for 17 years. Here are my observations:
>
> * Most free-lance writers get paid for doing design documents--content
> outlines and sample pages. You are cheating yourself by doing it for free.
> You also make it too easy for the prospective client to just take the
> outline and samples and give it to a secretary to do.
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