26 September 2013
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After the Silence
It has been busy, too busy to spend much time on Xanga. In addition to being up to my eyebrows in several client projects, I also have guests visiting. These family friends take a bit more time to look after than many of my more regular guests, so that means additional time away from the blogging.
Right now, I am up in Chiang Mai with them for a few days. Nice change of scenery, although Tawn was unable to join.
A few random thoughts:
The problem with freelancing is that clients want a firm quote but the scope of their projects always seem to expand and the timelines frequently slide. This leads to less work (and income) in a given month than originally projects.
There is a pending job offer that would lead me from part-time work into full-time work with a company in Bangkok over the next three to four months. Good news but the devil, as they say, is in the details. And I haven’t seen any details yet.
I have been thinking a lot about the subject of identity construction on social media: the ways in which we form an image of ourselves based on what we choose to share, and the ways in which our image of others is based on their specifically constructed identity. While choosing to present your best self is nothing new, social media exacerbates the negative aspects. Feel like I need to think more closely about what I share on social media and why.
Anyhow, time to get started with the day. We are driving to Doi Ithanon, the highest peak in Thailand, today.
Comments (15)
I recognized the photos of Doi Suthep in your Instagram. Chiang Mai brings back a lot of good memories.
Maybe as you walk through the scope with your clients, give them a project change procedure or contract change procedure. If they want something that is not in the contract – it’s extra $. If you need them to give you something and they are late which makes you late, then all bets are off on the project timeline. These short term projects are tough because it’s hard to start lining up a series back to back engagements when they all slide.
Good luck and I hope the pending job offer works out.
Oh, you following me on IG? Stalker! =D
Those are good suggestions for how I can better protect myself with these projects. Thankfully, most of my clients seems to be pretty honest, understanding people with whom I have a good relationship. I think I can point out that the scope is expanding and make a reasonable request for additional compensation.
It is always a difficult line to walk between building a business and making a living. We are getting quotes on tree removal. The fine print is very revealing. They all charge extra for everything! Perhaps it might be beneficial to have some up front discussion of cost related to changes in the project. That way you can have a fall back when they decide to go beyond the scope of the original job… Hope the full time position works out to be just the ticket!
As for the problem of online images – it is a free for all currently. So many businesses are requiring full disclosure of social media. Some are going so far as to scan the internet regularly to see what their employees are saying… We should all be more circumspect. But the teens – twenty somethings have no boundaries!
I was speaking with another person who does freelance work and his suggestion was that quotes should be explicitly non-binding. That way, as customers hem and haw, add to the scope of work, or take their own sweet time reviewing and moving the project forward, there is a price to pay. Kind of like when you are in a taxi that is stuck in traffic: the meter continues to advance a certain amount because even though you aren’t moving, the driver still has to earn a living.
As for the social media, I think the world is moving towards an increasingly “full disclosure” mode. Wonder if the pendulum will swing back and, if so, when?
I am sure there are a lot of inconveniences and headaches while you get your business going. I started my own solo practice and it was only by word of mouth that people started recognizing me. It took me almost two years before I could lift my head up.
I wish you all the best Chris.
Many thanks for the kind thoughts, Dr. Z. I guess we just have to be patient in life, probably the most important (and hardest to learn!) lesson.
Starting up a business can be time consuming… so relax and enjoy your time with your family..
Those details just might be waiting for you when you get home….And I’m betting it will be all good, no devil involved…..
Have a fun day!!
True – the questions, uncertainties, and challenges aren’t going anywhere so they can just wait patiently while I show my guests around.
some want a lot but don’t want to pay for it
Isn’t that the truth? I guess all of us are like that, to some extent.
It must be hard to juggle business and blogging
Good luck for the offer of job in Bangkok.
In frienship
Michel
Thanks Michel!
Glad to hear you are busy with work!
Re social media projecting an image – it’s hard to know what other people think. Sometimes what people don’t reveal leads me to wonder, as well.
I don’t share anything on Facebook, but Xanga I feel free to let out my dirty laundry, within limits – for instance, I don’t share real names and I don’t show pictures of myself.
Hope it goes well with the job.
We shall see how the job situation progresses. I have a call tonight (Saturday!) with one client in the US regarding an ongoing project that may be significantly reduced in scope. I expect an offer from another company next week. Fingers crossed.
WHAT i should share here on xanga and other social media what worries me often, and thus puts me off in sharing anything sometimes. hope you soon get to see more details for that potential part-time job.