How to get the best out of your virtual agency
Time to read: 2 minutes
OK, so she gets out of bed for less than £10k. Here, Comms Crowd content writer Sandra Vogel sets out her virtual agency terms for keeping us all singing from the same song sheet…
Over the years, I’ve been commissioned by some of the biggest names in Tech, national newspapers, and some of the best-known technology websites. I’ve also worked with many small companies, mostly from a technology angle, with voluntary organisations, virtual agencies, and communications agencies. I’ve found good and bad clients across the spectrum. It’s not the size or sector that matters – it’s the approach and attitude of the client to using freelancers. Good clients support and nurture their freelancers; in particular, they get three important things right.
The agency is virtual; my time is not
If I say I don’t work Friday afternoons and weekends (I may make the odd exception), don’t expect me to be free to work. Similarly, if I am set to work for you, say, Mondays and Wednesdays, and you need to change the day, please give me a lead time. In return, I’ll only change our fixed days if absolutely necessary and give you as much lead time as possible.
Keeping me in the loop
If I’m contracted to work on a specific project, then knowing what’s going on with that project is helpful. Rather than just being asked, ‘Please do A, B and C this week’, it can be useful to know how A, B and C fit into the bigger picture and what others are working on. I appreciate that stuff will happen without me if I’m not in the office full time. But it’s useful to be briefed on the bigger picture. Not just because it makes me feel like part of the team (it really does) but because I can take wider points into account in my work. Even extra-busy clients that fall into my ‘love to work with’ group manage this.
Paying on time at the agreed rate
It should be unnecessary to make this point, but sadly it’s not. Renegotiating rates downwards during a contract or paying late is simply not on. Freelancers are working for a living. They are not volunteers. You’ll soon get called out, and word will get around. In exchange for paying on time, I will deliver on time. And if there’s a chance I’ll be unable to do that, I’ll let you know well in advance.
Now, there’s circularity in this. You treat me well; I’ll treat you well. We’ll have a grown-up, professional relationship that we will both enjoy. Heck, I might even work for you on a Friday afternoon. Now and then.
