I do motion graphics and editing. A lot of my "time" is waiting for the client to respond to the last version I sent, or to answer a question about how to proceed.
Client is claiming I should only bill for "actual work" time.
The typical scenario:
- Time 0: I get an email saying "do this thing"
- I ask some questions ... length, colors, need some media etc. (because the first email NEVER contains all necessary info)
- 15 mins later I get an answer. I ask another question.
- 5 mins later I get an answer. Now I can start.
- I spend 1 hours making this thing, and send it.
- 25 mins later, they email me "can you change x, y and z"
- I reply "When you say z, do you mean z1 or z2?"
- 5 mins later they say "z2"
- I do z2 and send it.
- 10 mins later they say "wait, change j, k and l"
I've now spent 2 hours on this thing, of which 1 hour is "actual work."
Then this cycle repeats 3 more times throughout the "day". I do the final change. I send it. I ask "Are we done for today? Are you sending to your client?"
One hour later they say "OK, we're done for today."
Now it's been 7 hours of my day. But only 3 hours of "work".
I would bill 7 hours. Client is saying I should bill for 3.
What is standard practice? What do you all do?
(I'm especially interested to hear from people in media/entertainment/marketing.)