Miranda is a technical writer and product lead at VMware as well as founder of Books on Code, which is a platform for programmers who love to learn through technical books.
Location
San Francisco, CA
Education
MA English Literature
Work
Senior Technical Writer at VMware (previously Pivotal)
I think I will interpret this question a little differently. The saddest experiences I have had are when I worked for an agency with a deadline too tight and a customer who is disappointed and without the resources to change the outcome.
One of the saddest coding days I had was going to work on a Monday to see over 200 freshly-logged bugs by the customer (mind you; this is mostly CSS bugs, so 200 mostly-arbitrary complaints about how it looks after the design was supposed to be finalized). I worked through them one at a time, with again a deadline too tight to actually make a difference.
😲 I going to start a freelance web design agency soon. What if I face this kind of customer? After reading your comment, at least I can make myself ready for this type of customer. Thanks for sharing this with me.
Miranda is a technical writer and product lead at VMware as well as founder of Books on Code, which is a platform for programmers who love to learn through technical books.
Location
San Francisco, CA
Education
MA English Literature
Work
Senior Technical Writer at VMware (previously Pivotal)
Hi Anson! I think the most valuable skill is in knowing your worth and vetting your client -- as well as being financially secure enough to turn down a job, even if it is well paying. Sometimes the emotional cost is too great.
In this case at my agency, we were well aware that we were working with a nightmare client, but we felt financially pressured to take the job.
I think I will interpret this question a little differently. The saddest experiences I have had are when I worked for an agency with a deadline too tight and a customer who is disappointed and without the resources to change the outcome.
One of the saddest coding days I had was going to work on a Monday to see over 200 freshly-logged bugs by the customer (mind you; this is mostly CSS bugs, so 200 mostly-arbitrary complaints about how it looks after the design was supposed to be finalized). I worked through them one at a time, with again a deadline too tight to actually make a difference.
Perhaps one of my saddest days!
😲 I going to start a freelance web design agency soon. What if I face this kind of customer? After reading your comment, at least I can make myself ready for this type of customer. Thanks for sharing this with me.
Hi Anson! I think the most valuable skill is in knowing your worth and vetting your client -- as well as being financially secure enough to turn down a job, even if it is well paying. Sometimes the emotional cost is too great.
In this case at my agency, we were well aware that we were working with a nightmare client, but we felt financially pressured to take the job.
Great advice, at least I learned before I start the business. Thank you for sharing some tips with me