Why does freelancing remind me of dating?
November 21st, 2008The moment I saw his post on Craigslist, I knew I had to get to know him better: “Saul”, the independent contractor. He wanted a well-rounded web and graphics designer, and I knew I could be everything he needed. I took a look at his existing site and replied to his post. He immediately replied back, “I think you and I are gonna be a great match.” Swoon. I had butterflies in my stomach.
I could feel the anticipation building as we continued to exchange e-mails. We were really hitting it off! Then, finally, we agreed to meet for coffee. I brought my sexy tablet PC. I made sure I had my best portfolio material available, stuff he hadn’t seen. I even dressed to impress. This was going to be the start of a beautiful new relationship.
The minutes before we finally met were filled with anxiety and nervousness. Would he like my design style? Should I have brought a different laptop?? Do I look too desperate??? My face felt flush. My hands started to sweat. Then, from behind me, the door chimes rang: Saul had arrived. I had already seen his picture online, but with that laptop tucked under his arm, he looked even better in person. Swoon again.
Coffee was great. We talked design, we talked SEO, we talked pricing. He was a straightforward guy who knew exactly what he wanted, and I liked that. He said I seemed like a talented gal, and that we could get started as soon as he got the budget worked out. “Yes, a new client!” I thought. I tried to hide my excitement as we said our goodbyes, but I was already laying out the design in my head before we even left the coffeehouse.
I waited two days for his green light e-mail. Then three days, then four. After a week, I sent him a follow-up e-mail: “Just checking in, can’t wait to start working with you!” His reply: “Hey, I was just thinking of you! Will send an update tonight!” Tonight came, and there was still no green light. I e-mailed again. Then, I called. Two weeks later, I went back to his existing site to get another look. Except…
It had been redesigned.
I don’t know who had done it or where they had come from. I didn’t even know he was seeing anyone else! But with one click of a mouse, all of my new client dreams were shattered into a million pixels. I began to question myself as a designer. Was my style too feminine for his needs? Was my portfolio too amateur? Too professional? Was my hourly rate too high?!?!!? But things were going so well! Sometimes, I still wonder what I did to drive him away.
My only consolation is that the site still sucked. He went with some cheap floozy and got what he deserved: a table-based layout with in-line styles that only looks good in IE6. Well, you know what, Saul? One day, you’ll realize you made a huge mistake, and you’ll come running back to me. You’ll see.
November 21st, 2008 at 3:50 am
ehh?
April 17th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
this is hysterical and very true. i’m a staffer now, but when I freelanced for 3 years, I totally felt like that all the time. i felt very “used” a couple of times.