Explicitly stated.
Monday, March 22, 2010 at 8:21AM I'm not sure how I feel about this. I mean, sure I can see some parallels; in fact, I saw them all too clearly once as I was corresponding with a friend about how I struggle to charge for my freelance writing services.
Exact words: ".... The entire process got me thinking about pricing again. Definitely the most difficult aspect of what I do. Most of my clients want to pay me by the hour (wow, could this ever be taken out of context – at least I didn’t say “by the minute”), which is fine, but then I end up paying a penalty for being really, really good at what I do (the double-entendre isn’t getting any better, is it?) and finishing too fast (Don’t you hate it when that happens?). I don’t like to pad my time; that feels a little slimy...."
But to have someone I don't even know compare the art of writing to the act of prostitution, well I just don't know. Couldn't we make that argument for just about any profession? Doesn't that song specifically state, "I'm takin' what they're givin' 'cause I'm workin' for a livin'"?
Yeah, it does.
Pricing is tricky. When I take on a new project, my client is benefiting from my years of experience. Chances are, the third time I write brochure copy for a vein clinic (or a Sarbannes-Oxley update, or some other such, repeatable information), I will take less time than I took with the first run at it. That's experience. It shouldn't be penalized.
Ah, well.
We wrapped up our Spring Break Film Festival with The Vampire's Assistant. I'm sorry to say, the entire audience here thought it was much better than The Hurt Locker. Not to mention both Twilight films, to-date.
Reader Comments (2)
I knew a friend whose wife was a very talented watercolor artist. When a gallery visitor would balk at a pricetag by saying, "How long did it take her to paint that?" he would respond, "It took her 15 minutes, and 23 years."
Yes! Yes! Yes!
It reminds me of the story about the retired engineer who is called back to the plant to identify what is wrong with a machine. He tells them they need to replace a screw. They thank him and request a bill. He sends one, for something like $20,000.
Itemized:
1 screw - $.25
Knowing where to put it - $19,999.75
"Priceless!"