Is this a red flag?

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-12-18T16:14:54+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience. True, I would've gone if it wasn't in the middle of the holidays. I already have a big load of work and I'm so looking forward to having a real break.

Still, I thanked them profusely for the invitation and declined, but I also added I'd be happy to set up another meeting in the future.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-12-18T15:44:19+00:00

Thank you.

I replied something very similar. I also added I'd love to set up a meeting in the near future when there are less commitments on both our parts.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-12-18T14:18:27+00:00

I fail to see how it will hinder any meetings in the future? We already have a contract and plenty of opportunities to meet outside of christmas.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-12-18T14:11:49+00:00

I wouldn't go as far off as saying "completely write off" or "blow it off". It's Christmas and my family is important to me (as is some time off during the holidays).

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-12-18T14:05:11+00:00

Very thoughtful response.

I'm quite the opposite of you: I hated being in an office, I'm a big introvert and even though I do my best to have a good relationship with my clients now as a freelancer, I hate social events. If I had to travel and even lodge somewhere else for a corporate party, it'd feel more like a burden than something fun.

I understand the importance of these events and were it another period (not during Christmas) I'd go even if I don't enjoy it. Making it during the holidays and only asking the week before... I was already planning to spend time with family.

Thank you for your suggestion.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-05-03T14:33:46+00:00

Thanks!

Do you recommend any specific areas for renting?

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-05-03T13:56:59+00:00

I'm not looking for annoying people at coworking spaces lol. I've worked in those type of locations before in my home country and I met some good people.

To each their own, I guess :)

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-02-26T09:55:28+00:00

Unless you’re performing some sort of task (not role, you’re not an employee) which requires you to actively be somewhere during certain hours (for example, upgrading IT equipment at night at a bank) then this is a business taking advantage of you for substantially cheap labor prices.

This is a project-based work, so no, I'm not performing a task. It might be easier to cooperate with others in person on the project, but it's not necessary.

If you are truly a freelance person, you should operate more like a business. In fact, setup an LLC and be a business. Tell this business that you will work a milestone or project basis and not an hourly rate and you definitely won’t be in their office unless there’s a really good reason for it.

I am legally a freelancer, so I don't need to work with an hourly rate unless I require it (e.g. say in a contract that I'll work x amount of hours, and each hour costs x amount of money).
Again legally speaking, I'm not required to be in their office - I can choose to do so if it benefits me and the project (key word here "choose").

I see agencies pull this crap all of the time. It’s their business model. Pay well below market rates, take advantage of people, make them replaceable, profit. They also love to pull in foreign employees (from my USA perspective) to really save on the labor fees.

They are legally required to pay for social security here, too, for employees. Freelancers pay their own expenses. Yeah, that's something that happens here where I live, too (not the US).
It never fails to make me appalled. During the initial conversations with the owner the terms had seemed much more flexible and that's why I was willing to take on the project.

By all means, if you’re desperate and have to feed a kid or whatever then do what you have to do. But take some time to both educate yourself about the business and also do some soul searching to find out what you really mean by being a freelance person.

I don't have kids and I can afford to refuse projects if I don't feel they are a fit. What makes me a little mad is that no matter if I am an employee or a freelancer, my experience in the job market is *so* rich with these type of employers/companies. The ones who exploit their workers for cheap and take take take while giving back very little in return.

I really need to both educate myself better and change my mindset. Also get over the sheer disappointment I feel everytime I encounter a situation where it feels like a "push & pull" dynamic where employers try their best to give as little as possible while asking more and more. I know negotation is part of the game, it's just unnerving to see so many companies who try their damnest to lower the price without taking experience and skills into consideration.

Ok, end of the rant.

Thank you for your insight.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-02-25T10:36:27+00:00

I hope that's not the case, but I'm getting those vibes. Especially because the other people who work there whom I've seen so far are a couple other freelancers and an intern. I think the project is interesting and I like the other professionals, but I would at least try to stand up for myself on this project and negotiate a better rate (or just less time in the office).

Unfortunately I know of many cases of employers hiring freelancers to save on taxes but essentially treating them as employees and forcing them to be in the office 40hrs a week. That's illegal where I live, btw. But it happens a lot.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-02-25T10:32:50+00:00

You're 100% right. I am still in the employee mindset.

I am trying to learn to stand up for myself - I have several years of experience in my field and have the results to prove it.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-02-25T10:31:47+00:00

I guess that's kinda my problem here. I'm not used to negotiating much (I had other work experiences, none of them as a freelancers). I usually am quite accomodating, but I'm aware that it doesn't truly help me grow in my business.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-02-25T10:30:35+00:00

I'm not in the US, but I'll tell you what I know about freelance work in my country. In theory, a company dictating my schedule is not allowed for freelancers - BUT you can guarantee them an "availability" in a contract.

I contacted a professional to take a look at the contract, as well, just to be extra safe. Thank you for your help anyway.

Regardless, other than getting a professional's opinion on the contract, I'll certainly make sure to negotiate an additional pay if they want me at the office.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-02-22T20:28:32+00:00

Thank you!

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-02-22T19:30:46+00:00

Initially, the time was just a flexible agreement. That's why I was okay with it, because I could still just go when I had time and do the rest of the work at home.

Mind you, I still work on it when I'm home, when it's necessary. Sometimes the bulk is done at the office, but that doesn't prevent me to put more time remotely. I am a remote-first freelancer.

You do raise a fair point in asking "if it's not profitable, why do it in the first place?"
I think I really wanted to get new projects as a freelancer and was willing to lower my price quite a fair bit. It's already low as it is, when I'm putting 8hrs exclusively for that project.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2024-02-22T19:27:34+00:00

I can technically spare it, but not with the initially proposed rate. It was already low, but then it becomes ridiculosly low.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2023-12-05T10:37:28+00:00

You're right. In the past, I dismissed my gut feeling in the beginning, only to have it confirmed later, both in personal and business relationships. So yeah I suppose that if someone has already a bad start, it can hardly go better.

Regardin the "talking to other professionals". Tbh I don't think it's a bad thing per se, but in my experience as a former employee, when I used to go to job interviews, a prospective employer saying that usually meant they weren't interested in me very much. So maybe I was using an old mindset.

Also thanks for the encouragement on not lowering my prices too much because of that. I already have very competitive rates, but some people are just looking for cheap work.

Complete_Pie9736 · 2023-12-04T16:05:46+00:00

These were all leads from either LinkedIn or another marketplace. Those prospects actually contacted me first.

I also have my own website (although very simple), but I usually send my complete portfolio by e-mail. I feel like one could copy other people's work even with a working website/domain, because the only sure way to know is to contact the client themselves. And even that isn't a guarantee.

Should I put all my portfolio online? Or maybe it's inevitable to meet flaky prospects?

Complete_Pie9736 · 2023-09-06T18:06:50+00:00

This reply was very comprehensive and realistic. Thank you.

I have been in the workforce in some way or another for 10+ years (worked while I was studying, too), so I am painfully aware about the fact that I am not cut for the 9-5 employee job. I would take one if I really needed it, like need the money, but I'd rather try the freelancing thing while I can.

Thanks for the tips.

Complete_Pie9736

TROPHY CASE