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I missed a deadline

Yes, I've done it a few times in my freelancing career and probably for this client before (whoops) but I have a reason.

I assumed the deadline was for 4 p.m. ET and I operated like it was.

My article was pretty much done when I logged into the content marketing company's platform and then I saw "Uh oh. Your deadline was for 12 p.m. ET" 

Oops!

(Okay, I probably cursed.)

Luckily I only had to copy and paste the draft from Word and fiddle around with some sourcing/references/footnotes that always take a long time to get right in their content management system.

So, I turned it in about two hours behind.

Yes, a noon deadline is a rarity and I think most freelancers like myself do assume end of day (EOD) with deadlines but, the submit time was there when I accepted it and I just didn't notice. 

I've worked with this client for over a year (and enjoy the work) and I've gotten 12 p.m. deadlines before so I should have doublechecked.

Hopefully, they overlook it and we can keep working together. 

When I was an assigning editor I HATED when writers missed their deadlines.

Sometimes I planned to edit the piece the next day, get back to them with questions and set the piece live on a website within a few days according to my content plan. 

A missed deadline means the editor might have to fill that spot with something else—even write an article themselves that they weren't planning to work on.

(Which might mean a late night at the office, without overtime. That’s a surefire way to get blacklisted.)

A lot of times though, a deadline can be flexible and is a suggestion when an editor tosses it out. 

If I'm working with a new client and they suggest a deadline that I think will be tight based on other work I have going on, I'll ask for an extra day or two.

They're usually fine with it. Asking in the beginning is always better than asking closer to the deadline, especially the day of.

(Requesting more time is also one of my favorite freelancer negotiation tools, especially if the rate is meh.)

Fortunately, I work with a lot of managers and editors who understand that life happens.

So if my kid is sick on Monday and I'm not sure I'll be able to hit that Friday’s deadline, I'll ask as soon as possible if the following Monday is acceptable to turn it in.

This is one of the success strategies that sometimes takes years to learn: Don’t assume you will work around the clock to make that deadline while life is happening.

Ask for an extra day. Turn it in the morning of that day. Everyone will be happier.

I'm from the camp that over-communication is always better in this type of situation.

(And in relationships but that’s for a different newsletter.)

Just last week I had an expert fail to respond to me for a few days for an article that was due early this coming week.

I reached out to my editor and let her know that a source was ghosting me and I needed to find a new one for the article, requesting an extra day or two even though the article wasn’t due for a few more days.

She was relaxed and fine with it.

Mind you, these situations are likely different with weekly magazines and daily newspapers or timely studies and information so don’t miss those deadlines.

There is a time when it’s better to “ask for forgiveness and not permission” in business. And in the first instance, I had to do that. But ideally, you’re asking your manager for an extended deadline ahead of time. If they no, now you know.

Also, don’t make it a habit of asking for deadline extensions once you’ve accepted the assignment and/or turning in copy late. The client will think you’re unreliable.

Have a great week ahead, friend!

Diana

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