Irony, irony, irony

[scarlettina]

I received e-mail from The Company last night asking me to complete a couple of the projects I was working on on a freelance basis. This is so rich that I need a glass of millk.

Sadly, the work doesn't involve the projects I most want to work on.
*sigh*

I have some thinking to do....

Comments

[frabjousdave.livejournal.com]

Having another lucrative gig--even a temporary one--lined up might help you make a good decision. I find this particular tactic of downsizing companies less ironic and more despicable.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

You make good sense. I actually spoke to a friend yesterday who may have something in the offing, but not for a couple of months yet. Someone else at the Company promised some freelance, but given that the reorganization was most assuredly financial, I don't know if the project he wanted me to work on will continue to be funded. Not sure where else to turn at the moment, though I've barely started to really network yet.

The truth is that despite my sanguine feelings of late Monday, I'm beginning to realize that I've been through an earthquake and I have bruises in places I didn't know I'd banged up, if you follow the metaphor. ("Oooh, look at that, when I poke it there it hurts! Who would've thought?") What's-her-name may have disclaimed her Stages-of-Grief theory, but they still hold water. I'm livin' 'em now.

Had a long conversation with Mr. Grubb last night about the money, the practice, the situation. What came out of it was that my conflictedness (is that a word?) about the situation is natural and that the quiet time I scheduled myself to really consider this issue today is a clear necessity.

[herself_nyc]

That's kinda nervy. Will you be able to get a favorable freelance rate out of them?

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Had a long discussion about the amount The Company offered with a friend who's been a freelancer in the game-related fiction business a long time. My spiteful side says that I should ask for twice as much as is being offered. My level-headed side that knows and understands the full history of the project in question understands why they offered what they offered...and still thinks the amount should be more. I don't want to hold up the project or the company. At the same time, I do have myself to think about.

What's the best thing to do when one must operate both with enlightened self interest and a fine sense of business ethics?

Know What You Are Worth

[the-monkey-king.livejournal.com]

The best thing to do when operating on that fine line is to decide first what your time is worth, and never take a project that pays less unless you have a darn good reason to do so. I've had to turn down some work since adopting this "minimum wage" standard, but it's a bit of bedrock that helps me when negotiation gets weird. It lets me say "I love your project, but I can't work at your rate."

You aren't holding up the company. You are asking for what you are worth. Don't settle for less.

[herself_nyc]

Hoo boy. That's tough. I think it's important not to be walked over; they just LAID YOU OFF and now they want you to do your same work on a freelance basis. They laid you off because they have, presumably, mismanaged their finances and bitten off more than they could chew. By offering you the freelance and at a low rate they seem to be expecting you to continue being a "team player" even though they've just given you the shaft. And that's just wrong.

I'd ask for the amount you'd really feel comfortable with, and be prepared to walk away from the work if they nickel and dime you. That is, if you can afford to walk away from it. I just hate the thought of you being taken advantage of.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Thank you, girlfriend. As it turns out, I negotiated a better deal, and things are looking up. ::g::

[herself_nyc]

I'm very glad.

[lagilman]

Please god, do it. For those of us you left behind, anyway...

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

::rueful grin:: Sadly, the assignment isn't on the property I was working on with you. It's for The Other Guys.

And believe me, I didn't leave you behind; I wouldn't have. The Company cast me off. Did you know they laid off Randall, too? Shameful.

[lagilman]

Was afraid of that. Then screw 'em.

I'm being purely selfish, of course. Having flashbacks to the reigh of You Know Who. Yeeee....

Good luck on the project-hunting front. If I hear of anything I'll let you know.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

And, by the way, good to see you here!

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I have a few serious suggestions, but I think I'll share them by email. However, I understand your mood.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

I'll watch my e-mail.

Freelance Work

[ladyjestocost.livejournal.com]

Well, The Bug would say,

"What they offer is what they want to pay - not what they can or will pay. Why make life easy for them?"

And I say,

"While they didn't hesitate to screw you over, and my first reaction is screw 'em to the wall, my second and more considered reaction is that you don't want to carry that load of guilt and anger around.

If you can work with them without gnashing your teeth or other emotional surrus, then do so. Otherwise, no amount of money is worth the job, and it's best to make the cut clean."

And my last reaction is,

"Figure your hourly rate. Charge them twice that, plus a 10% profit. The reasoning behind that is that your hourly rate is your salary, the second hourly rate is your overhead (health insurance, retirement, home office expenses, taxes), and the 10% profit is the important part that most freelancers forget. Why should everyone get rich off your work except you?"

There are other ways to figure this. I have books on the subject if you're interested.

Negotiations

[(Anonymous)]

If you decide to see what the company is willing to pay, you are in a great negotiating position. You are already up-to-speed on a project. You already know the people who you need to work with to get the project done. If they decide it is worth doing the project and you turn them down, they will have to spend time getting someone else up-to-date on both the work and people front. And, they will have to spend time searching and not knowing for certain that the person they even hire will follow through to the degree they already know to expect with you.

I know you already know this, but I wanted to say that other people see this too as should any person within The Company you deal with during this negotiation.

So, I would work out my negotiating scenario and practice what you are going to say. Get them to say "yes" a lot before setting dollar amounts. This is what I do to sell things and I've got the best record (according to my boss) at the TKD school. And it worked for selling our house, too. It's a way to simultaneously: be honest, build trust within the negotiations, and get what you want.

Best,
Shelly

I'm from the Seattle area.

[bedii.livejournal.com]

Did you know the fraternal organization "The Eagles" was founded here? Did you know that the name and motto were changed at the second meeting? They were the International Order Of Good Things, and their motto was "Skin 'em!"

Think of yourself as an honorary member of the International Order of Good Things.