Help me extricate from this corner I'm in with a client

[shotinfoot]

I'm a freelance consultant, currently with about 3 clients, one of which is my main client.

Have been working for them for over 9 months, always with the promise of something more concrete in the future. I was being paid a daily rate to come in and my main role was to generate new business.

After about 6 months, it became clear that the one day a week I was being paid for wasn't enough to do all the business development that was needed to get the new business - but he couldn't afford to pay me for another day until that. Something of a chicken and egg situation.

So I agreed (actually it was my suggestion) that, given I had a free day at the time, I would work an extra day on a commission only basis.

That has happened for the last 4 months but it's now clear that the development is a much slower process than I initially thought (especially as he doesn't have the resources to commit to it fully).

I'm in a position where I'm not earning enough to get by, and even when commission does come in (if) it won't be enough to cover the time that I've spent.

Also, the work that I'm doing really means that I can't hire myself out to new companies at the same time as there would be definite competition/conflict of interests.

What to do. The best scenario is that he takes me on for another day, and I essentially work 3 days but get paid my daily rate for 2 days + commission.

How would you propose this and, if he says no, can I extricate myself from the 'free' day without losing the contract entirely.

I should never have agreed to it in the first place

Bump

Do you have the agreement in writing?

Perhaps you could say that you have interest from other clients, that would take up your free day and unless they can start paying you, you'll have to stop doing the free day for, errr free.

I agree with Techno, I think you tell them that you have had interest from others for some of your time (you don't need to say who/what), can he move to paying you for the days you need to work? Be that 3 or 2. You could position it as "giving him the first option". That way, if he says no to extending you could carry on with 1 day? Maybe email him first if you'll find it difficult to say in person. I think you have been incredibly supportive/helpful to him working for free, I am sure he'll understand.

You can 'spin' it very postively, "I have been approached about my time by another non-competative company who has offered me an opportunity which I could do on the xxday I usually work for you. Naturally I am very committed to you, as this last 4 months has shown you. It is just I cannot afford to turn down a paid day, when I am not being paid for you. I wanted to ask if there is the possiblity of paying me for the xxxday? If not, I'd like to go back to doing xxxday, which will mean I can continue to build on my work to date with you, and also take up this other opportunity".

He might be great at expressing his gratitude for what you are doing, if not, hinting that somebody else "wants you" is no bad thing....

I know he is your largest client, but it does sound like it could be holding you back from finding maybe a better opportunity elsewhere? If he can only pay you for 1 day, could you use your spare day to try to develop work elsewhere?

Hope that helps and you get it sorted.

Ws

What watersign said.

Also, having all your eggs in one basket isn't the best idea. If he decides he can't pay you at all, it'll be a pain going out and getting all new clients.

I like the postive spin part, you're not letting him down, you're reinforcing how lucky he is to have you.