freelancers - if you have a verbal promise of work and then it goes quiet when would you start hassling?

[hatwoman]

I had a chat with someone 3 weeks ago about some work. she told me she wasn;t quite in a position to know exactly how much, and terms etc. I asked what the time-table was and - half-jokingly obviously - she said "oh it needs doing by yesterday, but I should think I'll be able to get back to you in a week or two". three weeks later...do I send a casual email? I was thinking something along the lines of "I'm sorting out a few dates in my diary and I wondered if you'd had any more thoughts about the jobby project..."

and on a related note. a friend told someone she worked for that I was interested in similar work and that I would get in touch. the response was, according to my friend, very positive. so I emailed the contact with a very quick outline of who I am and saying it would be good to talk about possible work. how long do I give the contact - bearing in mind my friend says she thinks contact might be away for a "few" days? - and if I do follow up what do I say?

I'm new to all this...can you tell

Good luck with the freelance work. It can be a bit hit and miss. I don't think a friendly email at this stage would hurt. If you don't hear anything after that you can always keep the door open by sending an email in a few weeks reminding her that you are still available if further work comes up.

As for your second question, I would give it about 2 weeks. However, if you haven't had any acknowledgement you can always resend it anyway on the basis that the email may not have arrived. Hope it goes well.

Poor you, hatwoman - this is the curse of freelance life!

You sit at home wondering if they have simply forgotten/gone on holiday or if they hate your guts and wouldn't employ you in a month of Sundays. And, naturally, because you're at home on your own, the month of Sundays argument always sounds much more plausible...

Re first problem: I'd definitely do the casual email - on the basis that if the work's really gone away, I'd rather know now that keep fretting.

Re second problem: how long has it been since you first emailed?

I think a email along the lines of what you have written sounds fine.

and end with something like...

I appreciate your time and hope we can discuss further when its convenient.

Don't hassle them, they'll call you if they want you. If they don't then you should look elsewhere. Good luck.

I hate that 'month of Sundays' feeling.

Me, too, Hellion!

Also the clanging silence when you send work in. Was your work dreadful or have they just got the day off?

oh gawd. this is even worse. I sent off the casual email and now I'm checking for a reply even more often then I was checking for some news before. and whereas before there was a feeling of "I'll give it another day then I'll email" ie I'll do something. now there's a feeling of "well wtf do I do now. can;t email her again"

what about making a blog to keep you busy?

nah. I should be getting on with some work

And isn't it unfair that they can get away without giving any answer at all. And there is nothing you can do. If you hassle them they won't use you, if you don't make contact then you will never know.

Sorry hatwoman I was meant to be making you feel better and all I have done is rant on. OK hows this - in six months time when you have so many offers on the table, and they get back to you, you will be too busy to fit them in.