Diaries of a freelance writer:
first dates with potential clients.
A few months ago, I had a meeting request from the founder of an interesting-looking bitcoin NGO project.
He no-showed on the Zoom call.
His assistant apologized, and we rescheduled for the next day.
...
He no-showed again!
I was furious, and vowed never to work with someone with such a lack of respect for my time.
I stopped short of sending an overly courteous message telling him this.
Bitcoin is a small world, and you don't want to burn bridges.
A few months pass, and he gets back in touch. "Let's meet. I really do need your help."
I took a day to consider it.
"What's the harm in one 15-minute meeting?" I thought.
Well guess what, bucko?
He no-showed for a third time.
Fool me once...
I wondered if this was some kind of time-wasting prank. Couldn't believe it.
Later that day, I got a message from his assistant. "Sorry, he was on holiday in Greece. He was without internet."
Wut???
She then offered to send me a gift in the mail by way of apology.
Say wuuut???
This is bitcoin.
You think I'm going to dox myself to such a strangely unreliable company so you can send me a $5 Amazon voucher and a business card?
No way, José.
I still think the company and person are reputable (lots of online proof they aren't scammers). It's all just very strange.
All this is to say as a freelancer, you are worth nothing to people until you prove yourself.
You have to take a lot of Ls and eat a lot of shit, even when you have outstanding proof of work.
Luckily, I've got a full client roster at the moment (and another meeting lined up tomorrow).
But sometimes, I wish I punched the clock in a cubicle farm...
