Q6: What do you do when you can’t finish a job at all?
Comments (0) Answer to #6 of 12 Questions I think are important for commercial writers to know. I think these questions are especially important for people newly striking out on their own.
I’ve got another short answer for you, because this situation requires concise action. No one wants to think “I can’t,” especially when they’re freelancing. It almost feels like you’re telling the client, “I won’t do it. And, please don’t ask for anything more.”
Unless that’s what you’re saying, your situation is not that fatal.
There was one time when I couldn’t complete a job. The situation was extreme for me. But the worst part was that I kept thinking I can pull this off. Finally, I was given an ultimatum deadline. After the date given, the client would find an alternative source. Several things made it easier to survive the embarrassment:
- He was very gracious about it because we were long-time friends
- He knew the trauma that lead me to being unable to complete the job
- He already knew of someone who was available to do the job
