The Pen Is Mightier Than The Hammer
We prepare a Work Made for Hire Agreement with our author-clients that sets for all the pertinent terms of our working relationship. IUt’s a short document, about three pages in length, that we’ve used scores of times with great success. It It’s also a client-centric document that respects the needs and rights of both parties.
We pride ourselves on giving our author-clients very specific terms: manuscript due dates, reliable manuscript revision expectations, set fees, and well written copy that is as error-free and interesting as we can make it.
I was thinking about it this week as I attempt to hire contractors to do various kinds of work at my vacation home. Here’s what I’ve learned about their modus operandi:
- Upon first contact, agree to anything the homeowner asks for.
- Provide an estimate and date the work will commence.
- Show up anywhere between 1-3 days of the date promised.
- Complete some, but not all, the work, and promise to come back the next day – except it’s more like a week. Or maybe not at all.
- Submit a bill higher than the estimate without explaining why.
- Leave a mess of debris for the owner to clean up.
- Don’t return phone calls or text messages if you don’t feel like it.
This is the equivalent of Roger or me…well, I’m sure you get the idea.
If I ever find a contractor as good as as we are, I’ll tell you about it here. Meanwhile, I’m waiting for mine to return my fourth phone message.
