Comments on: Don’t forget to budget for “thinking time” when estimating http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/11/dont-forget-to-budget-for-thinking-time-when-estimating/ The adventures of a new freelance copywriter Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:09:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Beth http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/11/dont-forget-to-budget-for-thinking-time-when-estimating/comment-page-1/#comment-8688 Beth Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:51:20 +0000 http://lifeonavenuez.com/?p=93#comment-8688 It's funny that this conversation picked up again. I was just talking to one of my clients yesterday, giving him an update on the number of hours I've clocked on his project. He said that he knows I've spent more time than I've clocked, by way of the "thinking time," which is unavoidable when one is a writer. He's right. I'm always contemplating my projects, but I don't bill anyone for thoughts that run through my head while I'm falling asleep or running. Now that I charge by the hour, it's harder to quantify those numbers. It’s funny that this conversation picked up again. I was just talking to one of my clients yesterday, giving him an update on the number of hours I’ve clocked on his project. He said that he knows I’ve spent more time than I’ve clocked, by way of the “thinking time,” which is unavoidable when one is a writer. He’s right. I’m always contemplating my projects, but I don’t bill anyone for thoughts that run through my head while I’m falling asleep or running. Now that I charge by the hour, it’s harder to quantify those numbers.

]]> By: Claire http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/11/dont-forget-to-budget-for-thinking-time-when-estimating/comment-page-1/#comment-8679 Claire Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:00:42 +0000 http://lifeonavenuez.com/?p=93#comment-8679 I think it's absolutely critical to add thinking time to an estimate or budget. Who of us can fire off the perfect headline on demand? It takes time to study and wrap your head around a new subject, or a new client. To really write the best content, you have to know your client's audience almost as well as you know your client, and you have to come up to speed quickly. This takes think time. There's also research time. Some of this you can build into the project, some you have to use as your own personal continuing education time. I think it’s absolutely critical to add thinking time to an estimate or budget. Who of us can fire off the perfect headline on demand? It takes time to study and wrap your head around a new subject, or a new client. To really write the best content, you have to know your client’s audience almost as well as you know your client, and you have to come up to speed quickly. This takes think time.

There’s also research time. Some of this you can build into the project, some you have to use as your own personal continuing education time.

]]> By: Gloria http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/11/dont-forget-to-budget-for-thinking-time-when-estimating/comment-page-1/#comment-8438 Gloria Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:18:26 +0000 http://lifeonavenuez.com/?p=93#comment-8438 You are so right about this, I find it difficult to quantify that thinking time, and feel guilty adding time I spent in the shower having ideas for my clients to their bills. I'm glad you mentioned this! You are so right about this, I find it difficult to quantify that thinking time, and feel guilty adding time I spent in the shower having ideas for my clients to their bills. I’m glad you mentioned this!

]]> By: CuriousC http://www.lifeonavenuez.com/2007/11/dont-forget-to-budget-for-thinking-time-when-estimating/comment-page-1/#comment-111 CuriousC Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:26:41 +0000 http://lifeonavenuez.com/?p=93#comment-111 So when they say 'spend an hour on this', they mean that they will only pay you one hour's rate? Heck, I'd add THINKIN' time to your estimate... Eventually, your rates will go up with the demand which will come because you are such a great talent and it'll all happen and you won't have to be so anal with it, right?? :) So when they say ‘spend an hour on this’, they mean that they will only pay you one hour’s rate? Heck, I’d add THINKIN’ time to your estimate… Eventually, your rates will go up with the demand which will come because you are such a great talent and it’ll all happen and you won’t have to be so anal with it, right?? :)

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