You don't feel like working today. In fact, you're not sure you can even get out of bed. You're oozing from various orifices, and even your dog won't come anywhere near you.You, my freelancing friend, are sick.
Denial won't do you any good. You're too weak for that.
But still you drag your sorry self to the computer because YOU HAVE A DEADLINE.
Sometime later, you find yourself face down on the keyboard, drool from your half-open mouth pooling under the 'W' key. You pull yourself back to some semblance of consciousness and finally admit that there is no way in hell you are going to meet your deadline.
WHAT DO YOU DO???
In a freelancing world where reputations are made and broken on your word, being sick is truly one of the worst-case scenarios.
Or is it?
There is a simple fix: contact the buyer and be honest. Set out a new timetable, taking into account a realistic estimate of how long you'll take to be on the mend, and apologize for the inconvenience.
Sounds too easy, right? It really is that simple. Most buyers are reasonable, and all of them have been sick once or twice before. If you have already established good communication, then ninety-nine times out of one hundred, they'll understand.
And if you get that one in one hundred buyer? Well, you're sick. There's nothing you can do about it. I'd recommend that you apologize again then go about the business of getting well. You may get negative feedback, but one negative due to illness is not a career-destroying blow. A professional response to the feedback is all that is needed.
But that's really worst case. Buyers are human and pretty decent most of the time. So if you need to curl up and die for a few days, then go take care of you and do what you need to do.
When it comes to deadlines and sickness, it's better to be honest and work things through with the buyer than to hand in less than amazing work. That is the one thing that can mess with your reputation.
image by Rachel Titiriga
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