by Leo Wiles
01 April 2015
How do you handle it when an editor or client asks you to do unpaid tasks as part of a commission – like extra copy/interviews, chasing PRs or pic research? I have an editor who requests stuff after I’ve filed or at the last minute and the implication is that it’s part of the original commission but it’s clearly not. Do I suck it up or take a stand and say sorry, that’ll cost you (diplomatically of course)? James
Wow, that certainly sucks. Those who’ve worked with me when I was an editor may recall that I’d send a watertight brief – no matter if you were the photographer, art director or journo. In bullet points I’d highlight the themes I wanted tackled, key questions that HAD to be asked, shots that HAD to be taken and even sometimes the style of clothes and colour to match particular mastheads.
When it would take place, how long it would take, how much the freelancer would be paid and of course when the deadline was were part of the brief too – and while it took me a lot of time to set out, it made it crystal clear for the freelancer. It also protected my budget from the 1 percent of flim-flam writers – you know who you are – who do a half arse job and are then asked for more and more quotes or copy when the mag’s on deadline (and while the poor chief sub is having a frigging heart-attack).
Reading your question, it sounds like your editor is badly organised at best and now arse-covering – or is just being completely disingenuous. Neither scenario’s good and you certainly shouldn’t be carrying the can for their unprofessional approach/stuff ups. My advice? Get everything in writing. From the very moment you discuss the feature flip them an email saying something like: ‘Hey X, thank you so much for your commission. I’m really excited to be writing 750 words on xx for your May cover story. Previously when I have written for this section, you’ve also required a sidebar / breakout / fact stat box / extra interview, so while I’m setting up interviews / at the research stage I just want to confirm that you will require main body 750 words and the 250 word breakout at the agreed rate of XX per word. If there’s anything else required, please let me know’.
This way when they come back and fudge the details and request the extra unpaid work you can stand your ground and say, ‘No problem [you a-hole cheapskate]; how would you like me to invoice that? On the same bill or as a separate job?’ Of course, minus the swearing and in an ideal world where the editor/client capitulates. Because it just may be that you’re dealing with a time-strapped or inexperienced editor – and either way, he/she may be super grateful that you’re a pro who’s not only going to fill their title with brilliant story ideas but understands the publication’s house style.
The reality is that they may agree to cough up, then never commission you again. Reading between the lines (and drawing upon decades of time in news and features) I’d say they are trying to pull the wool over your eyes. If you take a stand and demand payment for the extras, my guess is they are going to pretend that you’ve got the wrong end of the stick or bluff and make it sound like you’re being unreasonable or unprofessional – which is really galling, and the point at which you decide whether you’d rather stick pins in your eyes than work with them again.
That is, unless you really LOVE the outlet (which has happened to me), and in which case, it may be worth approaching a different department head and writing for them instead. But first, ask around and make sure this freelance swizzle is a one-off and not part of an ingrained company culture. If it is, run like hell. Because as my gran used to say, the fish rots from the head down.
Do you have a similar experience and a different way to handle it? We’d love to share your thoughts.
