bwoodsdesign - 9:02 am on Oct 14, 2005 (gmt 0)

I had something similar happen where an organization I had worked with previously on a web site decided to get a content mgmt system set up by me to manage their site, in an effort to save on paying someone to do updates. So I quoted them for the system installation and tweaking, got 1/2 up front, installed the system, gave a printed-out manual to them and offered an hour of free training to the 2 key people in charge of it (which one of them did not attend), and got the balance of the job payment.

Then the key person in charge of updates went on vacation this week, leaving an e-mail message to me and a few of her colleagues saying, "I'm out of town from Monday until Thursday, so please send all your updates to Bobbi (<-- me) while I am gone, for her to post to the site."

Without. Even. Asking. Me. All the while, I'm on a deadline for a client who's paying me way more than these people ever did.

Wouldn't you know, I got about 8 e-mails while she was out asking for "this" and "that" to be posted and then "Oh yeah, this too". But since these people had no idea of how this was not fair to me and their requests were nice, saying please and thank you and stuff, I happily made the update requests I got AFTER I was done with my own work for the day, even though I still had that deadline.

When the key person got back into town today she sent an email to all of us to inform that it was okay to start sending her update requests again. I fwd-ed a couple to her which had come through earlier today, and then on the last one I sent through, I tacked on the following:

"Are you pretty set with the site manager? Do you feel comfortable with it, and showing others to use it? Is there anyone else in your organization who could handle updates when you are out? The reason I ask is, Ms. Soandso agreed for me to set up the site manager was so that Organization X could cut the expenses of paying a designer to do updates (I have a $50/month maintenance plan).

Not to sound like I don't care...I do! But to be fair, I simply cannot afford to continue to assist with the site without some compensation, nor could any designer. Thanks, MyName"

Note, I pointed out the $50/month maintenance plan. My intent for the above is to let this person person know they cannot ask for free work because I provide a paid service, leaving them no choice but to take the maintenence plan or leave it. I'd do it either way because frankly $50/month is good money for a few quick updates a month. But those quick updates DO cut into my time. So if they don't like it, they will train everyone on the cms software and not bother me anymore (the cms is like so idiot-proof because it's very simple).

Perhaps those of us who feel they do too much 'free' stuff for people could benefit from (gently) pointing out a plan like this...I know if it's advice you are giving out then it's different, but HECK...I'd take all your fabulous advice, write it all up into articles and charge people $5-20/year (depending on their value and how much content there is put out regularly) to have access to them via your website.

Just my $.02!