If you’ve worked as or with a freelancer, you’ll no doubt have heard and spouted a whole bunch of non-core promises. Freelancers and clients alike know they’re lies, but play along anyway.
Here are the top business lies according to my in-depth global research (not really).
Top business lies told by freelancers:
1. I’m really excited about your project = I’m really excited about your money
2. I’m flexible to meet anytime this week = I have no work on at the moment
3. I’ve been working on that all morning = I’ll start on that this afternoon
4. I’ve scheduled that in for tomorrow = @#$% I forgot about that, but I’ve just written it down
5. I’m booked out for the next few months = I don’t like you, or your business
6. Do you have a budget in mind? = Can I get away with charging even more than usual?
7. I love the flexibility of freelancing = I love taking my time to look for a full-time job
Top business lies told by clients:
1. Your invoice has been processed = I did print your invoice, but left it on the printer
2. We want something really ‘out there’ and quirky = We want something really conservative
3. I’ll send you a full brief early this week = I’ll send you a wad of random documents next week
4. Can you just throw something together? = Can you do a proper job but charge a lot less?
5. Can you give me a ballpark figure? = Exactly how much will it be? I’ll hold you to it later.
6. That’s definitely a phase two requirement = That’s definitely never going to happen
7. We nurture long-term supplier relationships = Well we do, as long as they’re the cheapest
So, honestly, what do you lie about? I won’t believe you, but tell me anyway.
“ I’m flexible to meet anytime this week = I have no work on at the moment ”
Noel Ranger Noel Ranger is a real Australian soloist operating a professional service business. Basically, if you pay his hourly rate he’ll pretty much do whatever.
