The Power of an Error
There’s nothing worse than having to admit that you’re wrong. Even when you’ve made the tiniest of errors. But I’ve found that being a freelancer makes the smallest mistake blow into huge proportions. Because when you show vulnerability—in my case, not carefully proofreading—you wonder if that will get you canned. Because, let’s face it: Sometimes it is easy for client to let you go when you’re “just a contractor.”
Case in point, I have a client that expects me to be a perfectionist. With tight deadlines and a full-time load of work, I keep this client around simply because I make good money with them. Lately, though, I’ve found that they can’t accept I’m human. I make an occasional mistake—they rub my face in it. In this case, I’m a good writer, but I don’t always proofread well. Plus, I could do a better job if the deadlines weren’t so tight, but that’s also the nature of this particular job.
Believe me; I know that as a freelance writer, there are no room for typos. But I’ve also noticed that on my big projects when I’m working with a client who gives me ample time to complete a project, and comes in with a positive vibe, there are no typos. Not so for this other client. Because of all the work they slam on me and the tight deadlines—coupled with a bad attitude—mistakes happen. And it sucks admitting it.
But as a freelancer, the problem lies in this doomful feeling I get after I make an error, wondering if I’m going to lose this job because of my mistakes. Have you had a client like that? It’s sort of like a dangler, but in this sense, either you or the client are holding on knowing that the relations will eventually be severed. You know that the slightest mishap means this client will blow up and sever ties. Or at least you think you may. Regardless, it creates quite a bit of anxiety for any freelancer.
As I cope with this difficult, client, I’m keeping some things in mind. Hopefully these tips will help you too.
- Another job just as good is right around the corner. Often times when I let go of a toxic client, I make room for a good one. So I keep the mindset that I can lose this client at anytime, and that’s the moment when something else will come in. For me, it always does.
- Some clients are jerks. If your client can be as negative as mine, it’s good to realize that it’s no good to work with toxic people. For example, there’s no need for the client to get snippy with me over an error. Just point it out, and I’ll make the changes. In my case, I know that it will soon be time to go—and I’m kind of okay with that. I have acquired a zero-tolerance policy for negative things. So I see it as me not having to deal with a nasty client, rather than losing a gig. Because I know other gigs are out there.
- You’re only human. Whether you screwed up royally or just didn’t proofread well, please remember that you’re only human. My first reaction was to beat up myself until I remembered that all this client’s other writers make the same mistakes…that anyone can make an error. So long as you’re willing to fix it, and working to improve, there’s no reason to get hard on yourself. No one, not even the meanest client who pays you well, is worth putting yourself through that sort of emotional toil.
- Some things are subjective. In my case, most of the “mistakes” are really just the client being subjective. There are no typos; the client just has a different preference for words. Some clients work with you to fix things and better convey what they want—others cut you off based on what they think. Those are the clients who also have higher turnover rates!
So if you make a mistake with a project, do what you can to keep things cool. Admit to your mistakes, offer to fix the work and try to improve on it for the future. In my case, I know I will never be the best proofreader. I started printing out everything I do because I catch errors better that way. But I also know that with a positive vibe from a client and a reasonable deadline, I seem to be able to pay better attention to my work and make fewer mistakes. These are the clients that work with you, as opposed to those that cut you off before you even know it. These are the clients that reassure you you’re not bad at what you do, without having said a word.
If a bad client wants to cut you loose, there’s nothing you can do but learn from the experience and better your craft. In most cases, you’ll probably find that you’re better off without a client who won’t work with you—and continually drives you crazy, anyway.
Original post by FreelanceSwitch.com