Freelance Writing and Telephone Communication
This past week I spoke with several freelance writers via email who expressed a disinterest in talking to clients and potential buyers on the phone. When it comes down to it, this is a fear that you definitely want to get over sooner rather than later. In most cases, freelance writers will be able to communicate via email; this is a given. But with that being said, phone calls are necessary from time to time. I have definitely found this to be the case when working with corporate clients. After all, there are times when a quick phone call is much more effective and efficient than several emails.
Why are you afraid to speak with clients on the phone? This is a question that you need to answer if you are in this position. Some writers don’t like using the phone to communicate because they are not comfortable selling their services “in person.†Remember, you provide a valuable service and the person on the other end of the phone is interested in hiring you. This is not to say that you should go overboard selling yourself, but you should not be intimidated or embarrassed in the least bit.
Other freelance writers have expressed to me that they do not know what to say when speaking with a client on the phone. When it comes to email communication, you have time to read over every word and then formulate a response; no matter how long it takes. But when speaking on the phone, you do not have this luxury. Simply put, practice makes perfect in this area. The more clients that you speak with on the phone the more comfortable you will become answering questions on the spot.
Even though I speak with clients on the phone a few times per week, 90 percent of my communication is still completed via email. You may not find yourself on the phone a lot, but you definitely want to be open to this idea; it can help you to expand your business.Â
