Comments on: How to Never get Ripped Off AGAIN – For Freelancers http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html Live the life of your dreams Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:53:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Amber Forrest http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html/comment-page-2#comment-35005 Amber Forrest Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:06:32 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=1770#comment-35005 I also really appreciate this article; no one ever teaches " Contract Writing 101 " in art school, but they should! I have similar horror stories, not including verbally aggressive people, luckily, but many instances where payment never came, was far less than promised, or was withheld for months. I have had to become much tougher as a business woman, and am still learning. Thank you for writing this article! I also really appreciate this article; no one ever teaches ” Contract Writing 101 ” in art school, but they should! I have similar horror stories, not including verbally aggressive people, luckily, but many instances where payment never came, was far less than promised, or was withheld for months. I have had to become much tougher as a business woman, and am still learning. Thank you for writing this article!

]]> By: Maria Brophy http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html/comment-page-2#comment-34275 Maria Brophy Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:12:20 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=1770#comment-34275 Dear Kendra, Wow, you have some painful stories here! To answer "How do you find the GOOD Deals?" This is a blog post I think I'm going to have to write! Until then, here's what you do: Don't waste time on the bad ones. Be sure to be a very good communicator - make it clear, up front, what your fees are. Be good at what you do and have integrity (that attracts better clients). Work on your own reputation. Don't get involved with people with a bad track record. And most important: Make it clear, from the beginning, that you are a business not a charity. You can train people to see you as a professional. It takes practice. Now, keep an eye out for my blog post with the long answer to this question! I wish you the best! Dear Kendra,

Wow, you have some painful stories here! To answer “How do you find the GOOD Deals?” This is a blog post I think I’m going to have to write!

Until then, here’s what you do: Don’t waste time on the bad ones. Be sure to be a very good communicator – make it clear, up front, what your fees are. Be good at what you do and have integrity (that attracts better clients). Work on your own reputation. Don’t get involved with people with a bad track record. And most important: Make it clear, from the beginning, that you are a business not a charity. You can train people to see you as a professional. It takes practice. Now, keep an eye out for my blog post with the long answer to this question!

I wish you the best!

]]> By: Kendra http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html/comment-page-2#comment-33896 Kendra Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:52:31 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=1770#comment-33896 Thanks for this article, I needed it lol... I am still in the awkward "proving myself" phase and that's the self-defeating phrase for my money-woes with art. Also I have had SEVERAL bad experiences where when I request ANY money, I am treated like I am INSANE for wanting anything at all.. I quoted a lady only TWENTY DOLLARS AN HOUR to do a mural (and not a big one at that)--- she literally called me INSANE and threw me out of the house saying no one would ever pay that... Next time, a small town asked me to repaint a sign on the town square. Not even a big deal. I quoted the same thing, he called me INSANE and threw me to the curb... Then 3 years later he gave up trying to get someone to do it for NOTHING and hired a painting company (not even an artistic painting company but a indoor wall flat wall color painting company) for 60 dollars an hour (oh you know I asked!!)... It looked really bad, they couldn't even paint inside the lines, it looks like a third grader was trying to color a coloring book ha ha ha... I don't know if I felt hurt that he chose these guys for 60 dollars an hour, or felt happy that he got his karma. Of course I didn't do either of those jobs, but that's not the end of the many MANY stories I have had where I am treated like I am A NOBODY and I shouldn't expect anything at all. I worked at a restaurant for a while where the boss asked if I would make some posters... I put a crazy amount of effort into it, even LUGGING MY iMAC DESKTOP TO WORK so he could be by my side and give his opinion as I worked... I gave him an AMAZING deal of only 15 dollars an hour because at the time I was still in art school. He said "I am only paying you 9 dollars an hour, and if you don't like it I will fire you, and you can't do anything about it because you need to pay your rent... Don't be stupid, there's no way I am paying 15 dollars an hour." I couldn't believe it... It's hard asking for the deposit and even TALKING about money, but I do it, because I have been burned so much. It's good to know I AM NOT CRAZY. People DO pay GOOD money--- I have to be looking in the WRONG places because for some reason I attract people who always try to take advantage of me. EVERY single person I have ever asked for a contract, they back out. If I ask for money, they IMMEDIATELY back out, and start SCREAMING at me. I mean they don't just say "Sorry I don't have the money." I actually get a very horrible, emotional reaction from what I thought would be a potential client.... One guy told me when I applied for a job to design a car actually said "I have got investors now, but I don't have money for you. You will have to do it for free." It was such a slap in the face. Literally the guy told me he HAD the money, but it didn't matter because the money wasn't for me, and he wouldn't pay me (pay an artist who ever HEARD of such a thing?????) So I guess the point of this soap box rant is: "How do you find the GOOD deals?? I seem to attract the wrong people, is there an effective way to attract a decent, willing to pay, client base?" (sorry for the rant, lol, this topic just struck a cord with me!!!) Thanks for this article, I needed it lol… I am still in the awkward “proving myself” phase and that’s the self-defeating phrase for my money-woes with art. Also I have had SEVERAL bad experiences where when I request ANY money, I am treated like I am INSANE for wanting anything at all.. I quoted a lady only TWENTY DOLLARS AN HOUR to do a mural (and not a big one at that)— she literally called me INSANE and threw me out of the house saying no one would ever pay that… Next time, a small town asked me to repaint a sign on the town square. Not even a big deal. I quoted the same thing, he called me INSANE and threw me to the curb… Then 3 years later he gave up trying to get someone to do it for NOTHING and hired a painting company (not even an artistic painting company but a indoor wall flat wall color painting company) for 60 dollars an hour (oh you know I asked!!)… It looked really bad, they couldn’t even paint inside the lines, it looks like a third grader was trying to color a coloring book ha ha ha… I don’t know if I felt hurt that he chose these guys for 60 dollars an hour, or felt happy that he got his karma.

Of course I didn’t do either of those jobs, but that’s not the end of the many MANY stories I have had where I am treated like I am A NOBODY and I shouldn’t expect anything at all. I worked at a restaurant for a while where the boss asked if I would make some posters… I put a crazy amount of effort into it, even LUGGING MY iMAC DESKTOP TO WORK so he could be by my side and give his opinion as I worked… I gave him an AMAZING deal of only 15 dollars an hour because at the time I was still in art school. He said “I am only paying you 9 dollars an hour, and if you don’t like it I will fire you, and you can’t do anything about it because you need to pay your rent… Don’t be stupid, there’s no way I am paying 15 dollars an hour.” I couldn’t believe it…

It’s hard asking for the deposit and even TALKING about money, but I do it, because I have been burned so much. It’s good to know I AM NOT CRAZY. People DO pay GOOD money— I have to be looking in the WRONG places because for some reason I attract people who always try to take advantage of me. EVERY single person I have ever asked for a contract, they back out. If I ask for money, they IMMEDIATELY back out, and start SCREAMING at me. I mean they don’t just say “Sorry I don’t have the money.” I actually get a very horrible, emotional reaction from what I thought would be a potential client….

One guy told me when I applied for a job to design a car actually said “I have got investors now, but I don’t have money for you. You will have to do it for free.” It was such a slap in the face. Literally the guy told me he HAD the money, but it didn’t matter because the money wasn’t for me, and he wouldn’t pay me (pay an artist who ever HEARD of such a thing?????)

So I guess the point of this soap box rant is: “How do you find the GOOD deals?? I seem to attract the wrong people, is there an effective way to attract a decent, willing to pay, client base?”

(sorry for the rant, lol, this topic just struck a cord with me!!!)

]]> By: Micaela http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html/comment-page-1#comment-16475 Micaela Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:53:37 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=1770#comment-16475 Thank you so much for your concise and professional advice. I live in NYC and it can be difficult at times to assess whether a client is serious. Thanks to you, I feel much more confident that I will no longer get ripped off. If you have any further advice/ experiences with copyright issues I would be very interested. Thank you so much! Thank you so much for your concise and professional advice. I live in NYC and it can be difficult at times to assess whether a client is serious. Thanks to you, I feel much more confident that I will no longer get ripped off. If you have any further advice/ experiences with copyright issues I would be very interested. Thank you so much!

]]> By: Heather in San Diego http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html/comment-page-1#comment-15053 Heather in San Diego Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:40:38 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=1770#comment-15053 It is extremely rare I ever post to blogs, but I came across your article today when searching "politely decline work if no deposit is offered". Then I realized, after reading this, I don't have to be so polite. I now work full-time (however, it is not the normal 9-5 type setting). I still entertain offers, but as a contractor I have stumbled. . .not taking a deposit on the front is a bad mistake. Oh yes, this to be true, I know. So when a company (legit) from London approached me to conduct a feasibility study and to possibly head up their US Summit, I put time and a lot of effort into my proposal. Had a conference call with London, Even told them from the get-go that no work begins without a deposit. To which they agreed. Then it got time to get down to work and I re-emailed them about a deposit. Back-track is an understatement. As much as it pains me not to to take the consulting offer, I declined it this morning. This article makes me feel a lot better about my decision. Just something to reaffirm that even when tempted, do NOT take a contract without a deposit! Unlikely the business offering the work would do that, so neither should you! Thank you again. It is extremely rare I ever post to blogs, but I came across your article today when searching “politely decline work if no deposit is offered”. Then I realized, after reading this, I don’t have to be so polite.

I now work full-time (however, it is not the normal 9-5 type setting). I still entertain offers, but as a contractor I have stumbled. . .not taking a deposit on the front is a bad mistake. Oh yes, this to be true, I know. So when a company (legit) from London approached me to conduct a feasibility study and to possibly head up their US Summit, I put time and a lot of effort into my proposal. Had a conference call with London, Even told them from the get-go that no work begins without a deposit. To which they agreed. Then it got time to get down to work and I re-emailed them about a deposit. Back-track is an understatement. As much as it pains me not to to take the consulting offer, I declined it this morning. This article makes me feel a lot better about my decision. Just something to reaffirm that even when tempted, do NOT take a contract without a deposit! Unlikely the business offering the work would do that, so neither should you!

Thank you again.

]]> By: rosemarie Adcock http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html/comment-page-1#comment-13198 rosemarie Adcock Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:04:10 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=1770#comment-13198 Thank you Maria. That's a great idea. This one didn't forget at all. Initiated a call to tell me the check would be mailed that week. Called weeks later to say this week for sure, etc. Just never paid. Greater loss to me than the money was the friendship. It's always the elephant in the room so eventually you leave the room. But that is a very good idea about a late clause for those who forget or think that the money due to the artist is a business loan. Thank you Maria. That’s a great idea. This one didn’t forget at all. Initiated a call to tell me the check would be mailed that week. Called weeks later to say this week for sure, etc. Just never paid. Greater loss to me than the money was the friendship. It’s always the elephant in the room so eventually you leave the room. But that is a very good idea about a late clause for those who forget or think that the money due to the artist is a business loan.

]]> By: maria brophy http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html/comment-page-1#comment-13194 maria brophy Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:16:18 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=1770#comment-13194 Rosemarie, thanks for finding my blog and for the comment! One thing about the Gallery that "forgets" to pay: A great remedy for that is to include in the consignment agreement a clause that states that there is a late fee, either in the form of a %, like say 1.5%, or a flat fee of say $20/month, that accumulates for every month they are late in paying. I have such a clause in all my license agreements and consignment agreements. It's amazing that when people know they are going to get charged extra, they will "remember" to pay on time! Rosemarie, thanks for finding my blog and for the comment!

One thing about the Gallery that “forgets” to pay: A great remedy for that is to include in the consignment agreement a clause that states that there is a late fee, either in the form of a %, like say 1.5%, or a flat fee of say $20/month, that accumulates for every month they are late in paying.

I have such a clause in all my license agreements and consignment agreements. It’s amazing that when people know they are going to get charged extra, they will “remember” to pay on time!

]]> By: Rosemarie Adcock http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html/comment-page-1#comment-13192 Rosemarie Adcock Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:03:52 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=1770#comment-13192 Thank you Maria. I have always taken 50% down and never been ripped off regarding commissioned work. However in consignment agreements with galleries it gets more complicated. They have a painting until it sells, by signed agreement they pay within 30 days. I have found out that a piece sold only when trying to get the work returned at the end of the contract and lo and behold the work was no longer at the gallery. Why? because it sold. Did I get paid? No. Did I know the owner well? Yes. I'm not sure how to avoid such a situation because one can only trust that a gallery will abide by the contract when leaving a painting with them. If they previously had a decent reputation and you get stiffed if they are struggling, it's really quite frustrating. Thank you Maria. I have always taken 50% down and never been ripped off regarding commissioned work. However in consignment agreements with galleries it gets more complicated. They have a painting until it sells, by signed agreement they pay within 30 days. I have found out that a piece sold only when trying to get the work returned at the end of the contract and lo and behold the work was no longer at the gallery. Why? because it sold. Did I get paid? No. Did I know the owner well? Yes. I’m not sure how to avoid such a situation because one can only trust that a gallery will abide by the contract when leaving a painting with them. If they previously had a decent reputation and you get stiffed if they are struggling, it’s really quite frustrating.

]]> By: What to do When Your Client Doesn’t Like It | Philosophy - Maria Brophy http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html/comment-page-1#comment-3783 What to do When Your Client Doesn’t Like It | Philosophy - Maria Brophy Fri, 18 Feb 2011 23:06:37 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=1770#comment-3783 [...] Oh, and learn to feel okay about it.  Sometimes things just don’t work out, and we don’t understand why.  We just have to roll with it.  (And be sure to always get a non-refundable deposit up front.) [...] [...] Oh, and learn to feel okay about it.  Sometimes things just don’t work out, and we don’t understand why.  We just have to roll with it.  (And be sure to always get a non-refundable deposit up front.) [...]

]]> By: The Solopreneur Life “Friday Bits” #38 « The Solopreneur Life http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/how-to-never-get-ripped-off-again-for-freelancers.html/comment-page-1#comment-3559 The Solopreneur Life “Friday Bits” #38 « The Solopreneur Life Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:05:27 +0000 http://mariabrophy.com/?p=1770#comment-3559 [...] a whiz at the business side of being an artist, and this week she wrote a gem of an article titled, “How to Never Get Ripped Off Again.” She says it’s very simple to avoid being ripped off. You just have to do two things: 1. Require [...] [...] a whiz at the business side of being an artist, and this week she wrote a gem of an article titled, “How to Never Get Ripped Off Again.” She says it’s very simple to avoid being ripped off. You just have to do two things: 1. Require [...]

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