It's Freelance Labor, Not Free Labor

I have spent the better part of the week chasing down checks from people I've done freelance work for. It's not because I'm late on rent or am dodging my loan shark. Like anyone else -- a plumber, a hairstylist, or even a financial planner -- I like to be compensated for the service I provided. One would never tell an electrician who just fixed their lighting that they can't find their checkbook and he'll have to wait to be paid until the following month. What is it then, about artistic and creative jobs that make people think they can stiff you?

I'm actually gainfully employed. I have a nine-to-five job with a large company complete with health insurance and a 401K. I like doing outside projects because they keep my skills sharp. In this case, I taught a class and took photos of an event for two outside companies -- both of which are very well established. I like teaching and I love photography. Do I really want to make full-time careers out of them? Not really. But I enjoy the way each gig activates different parts of my brain, and the people I meet along the way.

Over the past week I've heard every excuse in the book as to why my cheddar has not arrived: Their CFO left, the temp they hired couldn't alphabetize or they can't find my W-9. It wasn't until I had to FedEx a letter reminding one company they were in breach of contract that the president of the organization actually phoned me and assured me I would have a check by the end of the week. We'll see how it goes.

There's a lesson in all this. Just because you're a hired gun doesn't mean you have to put up with not being paid on time. Businesses have 30 days to pay you. After that, feel free to commence the shake down. I have freelancer friends who put up with late payments for fear of looking like a noodge. I say, noodge away. People will have far more respect for a person who's on top of their affairs than one who agrees to be a doormat.

And if they never hire you again, it's no loss. If they don't respect you enough to pay you on time, then they never really respected your work.

Follow Pauline Millard on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulineyM

Comments

[JScott]

I remember the early days of COMDEX (google it folks) and they were offering raffle tickets and prizes, someone I know won something and (this was a big corporation) and she wanted it right there, they said they'd mail it, she said no way, I've heard too many stories about getting stiffed, I'm not buying the 'it'll be mailed to you' crap. (What would happened it they would got your address to hound you with junk mail but no prize).

[PeoplePissMeOff517]

I am a freelance wedding planner and make sure my clients pay 50% when they sign the contract and the other 50% right before their wedding, and good luck running the wedding without me if they dont pay...

[Hugo de Balsac]

my word some of these opinions are full of hubris. all i know is if you only listen to people who lecture you on "the nature reality", you're not paying attention.

[sneezeguard]

That's the nature of business in America, nay, the world. If you're not unique enough to demand compensation up front, they're going to string you along until they absolutely have to pay you.

[modoe]

I've been a freelancer for a long time... and I think I've perfected the "ART OF COLLECTING A CHECK".

I allow them to see the finished product... but I won't deliver until final payment is made. Also get 50% upfront so you don't feel like a complete idiot for working for free.

[alkamm]

Companies routinely stiff everybody, not just free-lancers. They are comfortable for negotiating 30 day nets and turning 30 into months.
I worked for a guy who had an accountant analyze his business. He said my division (landscaping) was losing 50,000 dollars a month. I pointed out that me and my one or two part time installers were paid something like 6000 dollars a month with overhead of no more than a thousand dollars in gasoline and other incidentals. We also brought in over 20,000 dollars a month. This sort of creative accounting cost the boss 8 thousand dollars.
Routinely, this boss would stiff his suppliers so that I would often pay nurseries myself in order to insure they'd get paid and demand money from this paragon of American capitalism. After fixing bids, going bankrupt while keeping all assets, and generally using his Republican connections to establish new businesses, he has donated a lot of money to charities of his choosing. Had he and others not stolen so freely from public and private concerns, we wouldn't need their charity.
What part about "Property is theft" do you not understand?

[jasonball]

It is a shame that you felt you needed to preface your argument with "It's not because I'm late on rent or am dodging my loan shark. (insert explaination of stability w/out relying on creative income)" Implying that if your primary source of income was purely freelance/creative your demand for payment would be less valid.

In my opinion needing compensation for performed labor in order to pay late rent makes a much more compelling case than some member of the bourgesois performing creative acts in order to self-actualize.

One wonders what type of people would have dismissed your argument if your preface had not been included. Perhaps they might have thought "This is somebody who NEEDS money, how base and unworthy of real human consideration! How can I respect this person's opinion when their mind is still clouded by profane concerns of survival."

[realitytrumpsbull]

You don't deserve to be paid...by the sound of
it you haven't done any work yet! Empty those
trash cans! Then we'll talk about a PAYCHECK!!!

;)