When I was drafting my goals post a few days ago, one of the items was to stop spending money to represent people. As much as I like and want to help people I cannot do it if it costs me money I have no chance of getting back. I am learning and implementing this lesson.
I recently acquired a new client. She needed me to do a particular thing which I agreed to do on contingency. Then a related issue cropped up and I told her I would help her with that but she needed to pay my expenses. See I didn’t tell her to pay my fees, I said pay my expense- BIG difference.
Because I love what I do- I don’t mind doing it for free. I prefer getting paid but if I don’t get paid I won’t curse anyone out. I will want to curse if I have to spend money. This isn’t just a hobby- it’s work, my livelihood.
I explained to this client that I would need her to send my roundtrip airfare and other expenses to come to court. She agreed. Then as time got closer I had Mr. A. call her to discuss the money. She started acting confused.
It’s best to have someone else handle the collections because it doesn’t affect my relationship with the client. It’s hard to be worker/employee on one hand and debt collector/enforcer on the other. You want your clients to feel you are on their side and money confrontations can sometimes affect how they feel about you. My brother told me about this strategy.
Mr. A. does the phone calls and my mother does the letters. Don’t play with my momma ya’ll because she will sell your account to a debt collector or sue you. It doesn’t even matter if you are family, she don’t play that “we family.” Family should pay family what they owe.
Back to the business- so I did some work for this client and did not attach my name to it. I emailed it to her and told her to sign it and file it. Putting my name on stuff is how I usually end up stuck. Had I put my name on it, I would have had to purchase my own tickets and show up in court- upset because I was paying to work for free.
I told her that I’d come the day of it she sent payment. I even offered to assist her with her trial preparation. I can have my helpful spirit but not incur expenses to assist.
I’m feeling good that I’m getting better about anticipating how these things will work out and not getting myself attached to stuff that will make me lose money.
In other things I’ve been accepted to be on a panel of attorneys to provide services to my target clientele. When I worked for the firm I noticed that about 1/2 of its cases came from this source. I’ll only take about 2 a time so as not to be overwhelmed. One of my other goals was a monthly income goal. Getting on this panel means I’ll likely exceed that goal.
I am discovering that money only seems like a lot when other people are making it. There were times just a few years ago that I worked a case a full year to make what I’m making now in 2 months. Instead of me thinking wow that’s a lot, all I’m thinking is ….dang I wasn’t getting nothing before. It just does not feel like as much as I thought it would feel like when I envisioned it. Instead of being all excited I’m focusing on how much taxes we’ll owe.
I hope I don’t become some greedy ol’ scrooge that tries to squeeze blood out of pennies and get high off how much is saved. Maybe its because I’m aging. I probably need to pray.