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An open letter to all of my customers.
13 years ago
General
Hello everyone, hope you’ve all been well.
I am posting this journal entry because there has been quite a bit of alarm and worry about my business, and I want to publicly address all these concerns in one place, so that everyone will hopefully understand my plan to see it resolved successfully.
First of all, I truly do want to emphasize my sincere apology to those who have waited an unusually long time to receive their completed commissions. I truly feel awful that I’ve pushed many of them back and completed other commissions taken long after theirs, and I wish I could effectively express how guilty I feel for putting kind, unspeakably patient people in that position, especially after paying me firsthand. And sadly, a good amount of my clients have had or been having such an experience with me. I am also aware that I have exceeded my estimated deadlines in the past, and at this point I can only offer my condolences and my promise that I will complete all outstanding commissions as rapidly as I am physically able to complete, and I am absolutely serious about following through with this. To those who have been displeased with how long they have been waiting, I am more than happy to offer some form of compensation through art. I offer a free sketch bust or sketch fullbody picture the the customer may claim at any time AFTER a substantial or the entire amount of my current queue of slots is completed. So far, this has been very successful for all those who have requested this form of compensation.
I also want to clarify that the ridiculous wait time is due to my excessive workload, which is unnecessary and inefficient, and entirely of my own doing and my lack of thorough planning. I know people have been angry about it, but I've only opened any additional commissions so that I can meet bare essential needs. The only reason why I have such a workload is because I have consistent necessities to pay for on a monthly basis, such as food, water, heating, electricity, rent, gas money, and Internet. I can’t complete any work if I don’t have a roof over my head and electricity to work on all of my art. If my electricity were to be shut off, my Internet suspended, and in the worst case scenario kicked out of my house, my commissions would take far longer to finish. At the same time, I do my absolute best to NOT open any commissions if I don’t have to. It truly hurts me to be put in a position where I have no choice but to open a few, even simple, commissions when I know I have a good queue of wonderfully patient people already waiting for me to finish their mostly or fully-paid commission.
In addition, I want to note to everyone that I have not been exceptionally communicative because I’m trying to invest as much time as I can to working on and finishing my commissions. Also, when not making progress on commissions, I am getting back to as many e-mails and notes as I can -- my customers being the ultimate priority.
There is an insane amount of things I am juggling right now, in addition to messages and inquiries from those who are not clients of mine. If you message/note/e-mail me and you aren’t a client of mine, please don’t expect a reply anytime soon, or any at all just to be safe, until my withstanding commissions are completed. I am deeply sorry for this inconvenience, but proper organization of how I spend my time right now is utterly imperative. The sooner I complete my current queue, the sooner I can move forward and get back to everyone else.
Lastly, I want to let everyone know that while I’m working through my commissions as fast as possible (without carelessly rushing through them), I am trying to get all commissions furthest back on my list out of the way first and foremost, as soon as possible. I used to alternate my commissions between doing a new one, then an older one, then new, old, etc. However, these days I am solely focusing on older commissions until they are out of the way, and then I will work on my more recent commissions.
I also wanted to send my gratitude for taking the time to read this, and that I truly do appreciate it. I hope this has helped to assuage some fears and concerns, and that we can move forward in a positive, peaceful manner as I complete these commissions as soon as I possibly can (while maintaining quality). I also understand that simply making a journal entry won't fix anything, but I know this needed to be laid out for everyone's benefit and hopefully peace of mind.
Many thanks, and have a wonderful December!
I am posting this journal entry because there has been quite a bit of alarm and worry about my business, and I want to publicly address all these concerns in one place, so that everyone will hopefully understand my plan to see it resolved successfully.
First of all, I truly do want to emphasize my sincere apology to those who have waited an unusually long time to receive their completed commissions. I truly feel awful that I’ve pushed many of them back and completed other commissions taken long after theirs, and I wish I could effectively express how guilty I feel for putting kind, unspeakably patient people in that position, especially after paying me firsthand. And sadly, a good amount of my clients have had or been having such an experience with me. I am also aware that I have exceeded my estimated deadlines in the past, and at this point I can only offer my condolences and my promise that I will complete all outstanding commissions as rapidly as I am physically able to complete, and I am absolutely serious about following through with this. To those who have been displeased with how long they have been waiting, I am more than happy to offer some form of compensation through art. I offer a free sketch bust or sketch fullbody picture the the customer may claim at any time AFTER a substantial or the entire amount of my current queue of slots is completed. So far, this has been very successful for all those who have requested this form of compensation.
I also want to clarify that the ridiculous wait time is due to my excessive workload, which is unnecessary and inefficient, and entirely of my own doing and my lack of thorough planning. I know people have been angry about it, but I've only opened any additional commissions so that I can meet bare essential needs. The only reason why I have such a workload is because I have consistent necessities to pay for on a monthly basis, such as food, water, heating, electricity, rent, gas money, and Internet. I can’t complete any work if I don’t have a roof over my head and electricity to work on all of my art. If my electricity were to be shut off, my Internet suspended, and in the worst case scenario kicked out of my house, my commissions would take far longer to finish. At the same time, I do my absolute best to NOT open any commissions if I don’t have to. It truly hurts me to be put in a position where I have no choice but to open a few, even simple, commissions when I know I have a good queue of wonderfully patient people already waiting for me to finish their mostly or fully-paid commission.
In addition, I want to note to everyone that I have not been exceptionally communicative because I’m trying to invest as much time as I can to working on and finishing my commissions. Also, when not making progress on commissions, I am getting back to as many e-mails and notes as I can -- my customers being the ultimate priority.
There is an insane amount of things I am juggling right now, in addition to messages and inquiries from those who are not clients of mine. If you message/note/e-mail me and you aren’t a client of mine, please don’t expect a reply anytime soon, or any at all just to be safe, until my withstanding commissions are completed. I am deeply sorry for this inconvenience, but proper organization of how I spend my time right now is utterly imperative. The sooner I complete my current queue, the sooner I can move forward and get back to everyone else.
Lastly, I want to let everyone know that while I’m working through my commissions as fast as possible (without carelessly rushing through them), I am trying to get all commissions furthest back on my list out of the way first and foremost, as soon as possible. I used to alternate my commissions between doing a new one, then an older one, then new, old, etc. However, these days I am solely focusing on older commissions until they are out of the way, and then I will work on my more recent commissions.
I also wanted to send my gratitude for taking the time to read this, and that I truly do appreciate it. I hope this has helped to assuage some fears and concerns, and that we can move forward in a positive, peaceful manner as I complete these commissions as soon as I possibly can (while maintaining quality). I also understand that simply making a journal entry won't fix anything, but I know this needed to be laid out for everyone's benefit and hopefully peace of mind.
Many thanks, and have a wonderful December!
Do you need me to send you another tip Cach?
I can help.
D::
It's because I barely made it that I understand, ha ha.
xD <3
why must i have to be saving?! QAQ
OTL
I had pmed you a while back but we kinda fizzled out with summer stuff :|
Yeeeeah, that happens sometimes unfortunately >_< Moreso in the past than it does these days, fortunately. Thank you for your interest!
I want to say i'm happy to see it... but honestly, I'm just disappointed. having your clients randomly find artwork you've done for them, instead of showing it to them... that's not very professional, is it?
I'm waiting for mine as well, but I'm not gonna go and rag on if she's a lil' late or not. Busy or not, lots of art pieces, lots of people to keep track of, etc.
This is just my 2c of course, take it as you will.
I dunno, I don't want to think about it. Many times, the finished product is well worth the wait though.
There are a lot of particular things involved and I obviously don't want to make personal issues public, but we've come to a peaceful understanding and mutual agreement with no grudges. I'm very grateful for that, too. Your comment is very logical and true though, regardless!
As I said, it's often a challenge to manage your own "business", keep in consistent contact on a daily basis while still having enough hours in the day to do a good chunk of work (and I tend to write long messages and put lots of time into my commissions x_x)...IN ADDITION to enjoying life, going outside, being social, etc. It's quite a thing to juggle, but it surely can be effectively tackled! I used to be HORRIBLE at finishing commissions in a timely manner and getting back to customers, but that was also when I lived with my parents and didn't care to be professional. After moving out on my own, I got a swift kick of reality and had to step up my game or else there was no way I could continue my freelance business successfully. I've learned so much...even in the past few months alone, and I'm really glad that I've gotten better at staying consistent and organized since then, although there's still plenty to finish and plenty to learn. I'm still playing a good deal of catch-up since I moved out of a jobless roommate's house and into my own house last month, but it's definitely coming along...slowly but surely! I've worked endlessly, to the point where my hand has gone numb (which happened this week, but after a few days break it's better now), but my commissions are a labor of love. I enjoy it very much in the long run.
It sucks playing catch-up though, because while I'm trying to finish these commissions for currently waiting customers, I'm forced to open a few commissions in order to pay bills sometimes. Some artists may open more for funsies and put off previous commissions because they don't really care or for whatever reason it may be, but in my case it's really out of necessity. And it KILLS me to open commissions when I know others are still waiting! Thankfully though, it's slowly dwindling away and it should be completely smoothed out by December. I cannot describe how excited I am to be back on track and to not have people wait longer than they should simply because I'm scrambling around trying to cover my bills. With dedication and organization though, it'll come around and stabilize!
And, like some other freelance artists out there, a long wait time (about 4+ months, I consider) is guaranteed more effort and detail put into the final product. And if it's been an abnormally long wait time (7-8 months and beyond), there's a 50% discount on whatever next commission the customer gets, even free if the customer is thoroughly displeased.
Regardless of wait time or customers, I do my best to put a lot of effort, time, and love into every piece of work that I do. I could very easily rush all of my commissions and get through them all quickly, but the quality would severely lack...and that shows through in the final product. In any case, I do my best to make it worthwhile. It's the least I can do...
herbderb ramble, figured I'd at least throw in my own little two cents on all of this... Viewers will see these comments and think what they will, but hopefully everyone's perspectives here are reasonably understood. Personally, I think that all who have commented here so far are being very rational and have justified opinions.
we all make mistakes, we all stumble, and it is the duty of others to not brush us off for our failures, but to be there to support us as we climb to the top once more, and I promise I will be there for you, cachet!
Soon...SOON I SAY!!