Here's my negotiation story:
My current freelance client (see entry My First Freelance Interior Design Client) negotiation process went like this:
"So, we should talk about your service rate before we get started on this project." said my client and friend.
I replied, "I'm really excited about designing your home for your family and the second child that's on the way. So, let's make this easy. I'll just ask that you make a donation based on the work that I provide."
"Okay, great." I said
No contract. No negotiation. Who really likes to talk money when there is a creative project to be had. I told myself that it'll look great on my resume.
Thus far I have spent my evenings and weekends since November 27, 2005 completing their interior design project. This includes:
- Spending over 2 hours creating a measurement list of their house
- Creating the house blueprint
- Meeting with the family and consulting them on space usage and the furniture lay-out
- Selecting the house color and style scheme
- Selecting fabrics
- Sent a 41-page Powerpoint presentation on all of the furniture, wall paint swatches, color schemes, fabric and sewing selections for their house
- Field trip to a local Model Home/Loft tour to help generate ideas on how there would my concepts would be implemented
- Gave a complete list of resources on where to purchase all furniture pieces because I'm not a wholesale/retail dealer
- Provide them with a list of contractors, master craftsmen, and handymen to work on their house
- Updated emails with furniture, drapery, and accessories information
As it turned out I did see Mrs. Client on New Year's Eve. Recently, I had sent two emails to Mr. & Mrs. Client without a response and naturally I was wondering what was happening with their home and the project. It turns out that they have just paid $20,000 for new custom windows and that they had been working quite madly at their jobs through the holiday season. Politely, I told them that I had more resources on drapery treatments, a console table, and ottomans. She was completely excited and told me to send an email tonight.
"Well, not tonight but tomorrow. It is New Year's!" she said.
We both laughed.
"Oh and my friend has a house painter that we're using. How should we paint the family room again?"
I gave her the details and that was the end of the house conversation.
After Christmas and New Year's passed without a snail-mail card or even a typical white paged email wishing me a happy holiday season &, oh yeah, thanks for your help so far. I got to thinking. Hmm...I don't think that they are going to give me a donation for all of the work that I've put into the project. So far, I haven't even received ten dollars for any aspect of my work. But I told myself, hey, it'll look great on my resume. At once, I started to feel a few things build and explode inside of me.
1. I didn't negotiate my wage with the current design firm. In fact, the owner of the company laughs everything she mentions the fact that I don't make a living wage. She has in fact told me that it's not her fault that everything is so expensive. Where does that leave me?
2. I didn't negotiate a contract with my first freelance interior design client. Who made that choice because it can be uncomfortable talking money? Me.
How does Lisa Gastineau fit in?
New Year's Day and I'm not exactly where I'd like to be. I suppose everybody has those mornings. I'm drinking my Tazo Earl Grey Tea (love it) and I'm watching The Gastineau Girls because the Rose Parade isn't on! I feel naked without the Rose parade on New Year's Day. Back to my point, Lisa is lounging on her bed inside her NYC penthouse and she's talking on the phone.
"No. I don't work for free! I'm not bartending! I won't bartend or make appearances or do anything for free."
Then she totally freaks out and screams that she's not working for free! Damn, we've got something in common!
I had put a foot in my lip-glossed mouth! Nobody wants to pay for anything. Everybody wants everything for free. A contract is a benefit because it doesn't strain friendships and it can actually increase the commitment to a creative project. When I was in my early twenties and working twenty-hour days in the film industry, I always got the same damn line! It'll look good on your resume. Therefore, since we are benefiting your career and taking a mild risk due to your lack of experience, we'd like you to donate your services aka work for free. I got to the point where I was getting completely booked to work for free. I didn't have gas to make it to locations. It was a hard lesson to learn the first time. Unfortunately, in the last six months, I forgot about the pains of my past. I took a job in which I possess more skills than the position requires and I'm not getting paid for it. I completely bumbled with my freelance interior design client. I've spent stressful and exhaustive hours to complete their project within their deadline. I understand now that I've been committed at a different level than my client. Get a contract so you don't end up like me watching Lisa Gastineau on New Year's day listening to her scream at somebody, "I'm not working for free!"
Dear, style agents, moral to the story, never get involved in a serious operation without a contract in which you get enough money to put lipstick in your purse!
One last tip: A book that has got more information on how to negotiate for what you want out of life. I have a copy of this book and love it!
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