♾️ The Ghosting Guru
✅ Summary
A writer who disappears after the initial project.
📜 Full Story
Emily Smith, an experienced freelance content writer, thought she had landed the perfect gig. A self-proclaimed "spiritual entrepreneur" reached out about creating a series of mindfulness blog posts for his new wellness website. The initial consultation went smoothly, with the client expressing grand visions for his brand and seemingly unlimited enthusiasm.
After signing what appeared to be a solid contract, Emily began work on the first batch of articles. The client's brief was notably vague, with instructions like "make it flow like water" and "capture the essence of enlightenment." Despite the ambiguous direction, Emily invested considerable time researching mindfulness practices and crafting thoughtful, well-researched content.
Upon submitting the first three posts, the client's communication became increasingly sporadic. Emily's follow-up emails went unanswered. Phone calls went straight to voicemail. The promised 50% deposit never materialized. Two weeks turned into a month, and Emily found herself in a challenging financial position, having dedicated substantial time to a project that was now in limbo.
This fictitious case study was developed with the help of Anthropic's Claude models for educational purposes only.
🛠️ How to Fix This
Key Preventative Measures:
- Payment Structure: Implement a non-negotiable 50% upfront payment policy for all new clients, with remaining payments tied to specific milestones.
- Clear Communication Protocol: Establish written communication expectations in the contract, including response timeframes and preferred contact methods.
- Detailed Scope Document: Create comprehensive project specifications that outline deliverables, revisions, and timeline in precise terms.
- Kill Fee Clause: Include a contract provision for compensation if the project is abandoned or canceled.
Professional Safeguards:
- Use project management software to track all communications and deliverables
- Maintain detailed records of time spent and resources used
- Build a network of legal professionals for contract review and enforcement
- Join professional associations that offer contract templates and dispute resolution services
By implementing these practices, freelancers can better protect themselves from non-responsive clients and ensure fair compensation for their work.