Holydays and big projects Thread poster: Cristina Lo Bianco
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Hi everybody,
I'm writing mostly to vent my frustration but also to know how you manage your holidays.
I've just had to refuse a big project from a regular client because a few days ago I made a reservation for a holiday with my family (second week in June).
I hate when this happens: just after making the reservation, I received one big job, to be completed the day before leaving (I'm not sure how I will manage packing!) and then a second, which is the one ... See more Hi everybody,
I'm writing mostly to vent my frustration but also to know how you manage your holidays.
I've just had to refuse a big project from a regular client because a few days ago I made a reservation for a holiday with my family (second week in June).
I hate when this happens: just after making the reservation, I received one big job, to be completed the day before leaving (I'm not sure how I will manage packing!) and then a second, which is the one I had to refuse.
Now I'm thinking it might have been a good idea, since I had the choice to go on holiday in July instead of June, to ask my regular clients if they had jobs coming BEFORE making the reservation.
How do you manage this kind o problem? Do you email your regular clients to let them know about your plans and the fact that you can change them in case they have jobs ready for you?
Ciao,
Cristina ▲ Collapse
| | | | | My regular clients know about my holidays... | May 29, 2014 |
Hi!
My regular clients know a few weeks before when I am going to take a holiday, but I also know when their big projects come around and so I can planify.
Little projects I accept also on holidays and work therefore 2 or 3 hours in the evening, for a good client sometimes even more...
Concerning real big projects coming up surprisingly during my holiday I do cooperate with other freelancers in order not to loose the client.
Andrea
| | | | | My regular clients know about my holidays | May 29, 2014 |
Like Andrea, my regular clients know about my holidays well in advance. Besides that since my children are all grown up and left the nest years ago I no longer take “real” vacations and prefer long weekends every so often: I haven't taken more than a whole week since my youngest daughter left home = some 13 years ago. Anyway, I always take my notebook with me to check my emails and all phone calls are redirected to my mobile. In the meanwhile if something big happens to come my way, I try to... See more Like Andrea, my regular clients know about my holidays well in advance. Besides that since my children are all grown up and left the nest years ago I no longer take “real” vacations and prefer long weekends every so often: I haven't taken more than a whole week since my youngest daughter left home = some 13 years ago. Anyway, I always take my notebook with me to check my emails and all phone calls are redirected to my mobile. In the meanwhile if something big happens to come my way, I try to negotiate the deadline... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:06
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Use the Calendar | May 29, 2014 |
I update the Calendar on my Proz page, every week, and I periodically remind my clients to check it.
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| Send a mail out in advance | May 29, 2014 |
First of all, it is probably inevitable that you have to turn down work because you are on holiday. You probably need the holiday, and you will work better after it.
Send your clients a mail a few weeks or a month before you go, and send them another one when you get back. A brief, friendly reminder that you exist, and I sometimes attach a picture of a view I have seen with my greetings.
It is a quick and effective form of marketing. Then enjoy your holiday with a good conscie... See more First of all, it is probably inevitable that you have to turn down work because you are on holiday. You probably need the holiday, and you will work better after it.
Send your clients a mail a few weeks or a month before you go, and send them another one when you get back. A brief, friendly reminder that you exist, and I sometimes attach a picture of a view I have seen with my greetings.
It is a quick and effective form of marketing. Then enjoy your holiday with a good conscience!
I sometimes get the impression before big holidays, that clients tidy up their desks and plan the time after their own holidays. This often includes sending extra projects off for translation, in the hope that you will have them ready when they get back!
Some years in December, not only have I done a normal month's work in the first three weeks, but I have had a report or a marketing campaign to translate ready for the New Year, and simply refused to take on any more. The pattern is not quite so clear in the summer, but I have had one or two clients mailing to book me as soon as I came home!
On the other hand, if you take your holiday slightly off season and are back again when everyone else is away, it can be an excellent chance to pick up new clients. That is why I remind my favourite clients when I am back!
And for packing: make a list of the things you must remember, and make sure you have done the washing etc. a couple of days before you go away.
Then you can pack very quickly at the last minute - I have done that on numerous occasions!
Take a deep breath and plan ahead... And have a great holiday! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Cristina Lo Bianco 
Italy
Local time: 01:06
Member (2008)
English to Italian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks to everybody for your advice.
I think in the future I will let know my regular clients when I am planning to go on holiday. Maybe, if they know in advance, they can reschedule projects. Also, if they tell me they are going to need me for a big project, I can decide if I whant to reschedule my holiday.
For the time being, actually I think I really need the holiday, so I'll try not to be bothered by the lost job.
Thanks again!
Cristina
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