Most of my freelance writing clients stay in touch from time to time. This is not to say that they stay on top of me every hour of everyday, but they definitely check in to ensure that everything is going smoothly, to send more work, etc. As a freelance writer you need to learn how to effectively communicate with clients. This is the truth no matter if you are doing so via email or telephone.
Below are three tips for better client communication:
1. Don’t wait too long getting back to clients. I strongly believe that you should not waste a lot of time checking your email accounts, but when you do get a message you should reply as soon as possible. This will show clients that you are on the ball, and willing to help them when they need it.
2. As I have mentioned before, you should answer the phone if clients call. Some freelance writers are against this because they feel that it will get them off track. While this can be true, you need to remember that you will need to get back to the client sooner or later. If you can comfortably answer the phone you might as well do so in order to take care of the client’s needs at the present time.
3. Listen, listen, listen. Some people want to talk so much that they never take the time to listen to what the client is saying. This doesn’t mean you should keep your mouth shut, and not offer any advice or answers. But you should let the client talk, and then answer them accordingly. You will find that this makes for a more time effective and efficient telephone conversation.
Use these three tips if you want to more effectively communicate with your freelance writing clients.Â
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find a career that was full of good times and a lot of money without any of the bad stuff dragging you down? While this is a nice dream, don’t expect it to ever come true. As a freelance writer I experience highs and lows on a regular basis. It is my goal to experience more good times than bad, but even then you never know what is going to happen. Simply put, you need to take the good with the bad and learn from every experience that comes your way.
Once you are involved with the freelance writing industry for a few months you will have a good feel for what you want to accomplish and what you want to avoid. This does not mean you will never experience tough times, but the more knowledge you have the better chance there is that you will be able to keep your career in a relatively good position.
The lows of a freelance writer can be really low. You will find this to be true soon enough. No matter if you are new to freelance writing or have been doing so for decades you are well aware that tough times pop up without notice. And even though the lows can hurt you should realize that they will not last forever. Sure, you may lose a client from time to time but this should not hold you back from reaching your goals. When you hit a low it is important to realize this, and then determine how you can move on and subsequently make things better.
Don’t get into the freelance writing industry if you think that everyday is full of fun and profits. There are days when you will experience extreme highs, as well as those that will put you down in the dumps. Take the good with the bad, learn from mistakes, and do your best to reach all your goals. By doing this you will have a chance to experience more highs than lows.Â
The first few months of your freelance writing career are sure to be hectic. This is usually the case with any new career, and this one is no different. You will run into tough times and questions that are difficult to answer. This is part of becoming a freelance writer, and these experiences will shape your future.
There are several freelance writing startup blunders that you want to avoid. Three of the most common include:
1. Spreading yourself thin. As a new freelance writer you don’t yet have a grasp of what you will be facing as your career moves forward. For this reason, make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. In other words, make sure you can handle any project you take on. Even though it may sound like a dream come true, having too much work on your table early on can be a bad thing. Yes, this means you have the potential to make more money. But at the same time spreading yourself thin will take a toll on your work, and in turn hinder your chance of repeat projects.
2. Forgetting to get paid in advance. I made this mistake a few times early on, and got burnt along the way. You need to ask for payment upfront no matter if you are new to the freelance writing game or have been around the block a few times. There are exceptions to this rule, and times when you may not be able to receive 100 percent payment upfront. If you can, you should definitely ask for upfront payment to protect yourself.
3. Not staying organized. Everything about your freelance writing career should be organized at all times. This includes your to-do-list, your office, your desktop folders, and much more. Believe it or not, organization can make or break your career as a freelance writer.
If you can avoid these three startup blunders you will have a much easier time enjoying success as a new freelance writer.
