Comments on: Pushing Words Into The Black Hole http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/ Everything about writing and marketing white papers Thu, 17 May 2012 02:52:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-6401 Michael Stelzner Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:49:06 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-6401 Bob - Good point about time. However, cash flow for many writers is an issue. Maybe not you. :) - Mike Bob - Good point about time. However, cash flow for many writers is an issue. Maybe not you. :) - Mike

]]> By: Bob Bly http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-6174 Bob Bly Sun, 28 Jan 2007 16:16:45 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-6174 My problem with the client delaying review is not cash flow; freelance copywriting is a low overhead business, and I don't live hand to mouth from check to check, as I am sure you guys don't either. The problem is my work is generally scheduled out months in advance. That's why my agreements require the client to assign all revisions within 30 days -- it's the only way I can manage my schedule. My problem with the client delaying review is not cash flow; freelance copywriting is a low overhead business, and I don’t live hand to mouth from check to check, as I am sure you guys don’t either. The problem is my work is generally scheduled out months in advance. That’s why my agreements require the client to assign all revisions within 30 days — it’s the only way I can manage my schedule.

]]> By: Jonathan Kantor http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5337 Jonathan Kantor Thu, 25 Jan 2007 17:52:46 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5337 Mike, Since this is such an important topic, I posted the the reasons why procrastination kills a white paper on my blog: http://www.whitepapercompany.com/blog/?p=123 Mike,

Since this is such an important topic, I posted the the reasons why procrastination kills a white paper on my blog:

http://www.whitepapercompany.com/blog/?p=123

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5330 Michael Stelzner Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:42:32 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5330 Folks - So far the survey results of this little poll are split down the middle. Those of you who seem to be protected from the black hole, let's hear from you. What's your strategy? - Mike Folks - So far the survey results of this little poll are split down the middle. Those of you who seem to be protected from the black hole, let’s hear from you. What’s your strategy? - Mike

]]> By: Jonathan Kantor http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5097 Jonathan Kantor Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:27:35 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5097 I'll send them to you via e-mail. I’ll send them to you via e-mail.

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5096 Michael Stelzner Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:09:22 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5096 Jonathan - That is really an excellent idea! Can you actually send me (or post here) the actual words you include for that clause? - Mike Jonathan - That is really an excellent idea! Can you actually send me (or post here) the actual words you include for that clause? - Mike

]]> By: Jonathan Kantor http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5095 Jonathan Kantor Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:59:33 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5095 Boy are you ever singing my song. Unfortunately, the problem is equally bad for large companies as it is for small ones or startups. The only thing I can see that makes a difference is when there is a project leader, such as a marketing manager involved. The best way to solve that is to put what I call a "procrastination clause" in your contract. It states that after 120 days the project is officially considered closed for billing. When I reference this with a delinquent reviewer, I usually get the project finished or they allow me to submit final billing. I have a client in the UK that still has my first draft on his desk since last July! Fortunately they have paid me in full for the project. Boy are you ever singing my song.

Unfortunately, the problem is equally bad for large companies as it is for small ones or startups. The only thing I can see that makes a difference is when there is a project leader, such as a marketing manager involved.

The best way to solve that is to put what I call a “procrastination clause” in your contract. It states that after 120 days the project is officially considered closed for billing. When I reference this with a delinquent reviewer, I usually get the project finished or they allow me to submit final billing.

I have a client in the UK that still has my first draft on his desk since last July! Fortunately they have paid me in full for the project.

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5094 Michael Stelzner Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:54:27 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5094 Janice - The only problem is the client generally is NOT happy when you do that (submit the invoice with the 1st draft). I have also found it can result in the invoices getting lost. - Mike Janice - The only problem is the client generally is NOT happy when you do that (submit the invoice with the 1st draft). I have also found it can result in the invoices getting lost. - Mike

]]> By: Janice King http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5080 Janice King Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:53:38 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5080 This is happening more frequently. Clients have good intentions for reviewing a draft, but often they are just too busy and have too many new, higher-priority demands constantly pushed onto their plates to follow through. Because of this, my standard policy is to submit the final project invoice with the first draft. But I am always willing to pick up the project again once the client is ready to resume work. In the meantime, the pressure to complete the project is off, for both the client & me. Janice King, Author Copywriting That Sells High Tech www.writinghightech.com This is happening more frequently. Clients have good intentions for reviewing a draft, but often they are just too busy and have too many new, higher-priority demands constantly pushed onto their plates to follow through.

Because of this, my standard policy is to submit the final project invoice with the first draft. But I am always willing to pick up the project again once the client is ready to resume work. In the meantime, the pressure to complete the project is off, for both the client & me.

Janice King, Author
Copywriting That Sells High Tech
www.writinghightech.com

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5017 Michael Stelzner Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:40:34 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/01/23/black-hole-of-no-feedback/#comment-5017 Tom and what is really bad is that often the customer will consider the project complete until "they" make the time to read it. It is a real problem I seem to deal with rather frequently. Tom and what is really bad is that often the customer will consider the project complete until “they” make the time to read it. It is a real problem I seem to deal with rather frequently.

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