As a freelance writer it can be quite exciting to find an email in your inbox asking for a quote and more information about your business. With that being said, it can also be stressful if you do not know how to answer the questions that are asked of you. Through my experience, I have found that most clients ask three questions. Once you know your standard answer to these inquiries, you will not have any problems.
1. How much money do you charge? In most cases this is the first question that a potential client will ask via email. Make sure that you are very careful when answering this question. Stick to your rate sheet even if you think that you could get away with higher prices. If the client wants to negotiate, you can then make a decision on how to proceed.
2. What do I get for your quoted price? As you can imagine, there is a big difference between a 500 word keyword article and 2,000 word review. Make sure that you give an honest and accurate quote while also supplying information on what this price includes. This is the best way to protect yourself against a client twisting your words in the future.
3. Do you offer a bulk rate discount? This is a common question that is usually asked by webmasters. While there is nothing wrong with offering a lower price for a bulk order, make sure that you work out your hourly rate to ensure that you are not short changing yourself.
These are three of the most common questions related to quotes. When you know how to answer these, you will be able to quickly and efficiently respond to any inquiry.
Anybody who is self-employed is aware that taking breaks is a necessary part of running a successful business. Early in my freelance writing career I attempted to work non-stop day in and day out. While this did help me to recognize success early on, it also burnt me out to a certain extent. Even a few years into my freelance writing career, I still have to slow myself down to take a break. If you do not want to take a break from your business from time to time, keep in mind that this is much better than hitting a wall.
This weekend is the perfect time to get away as a freelance writer. With Easter on Sunday, it is safe to say that many people will not be working on Friday or Monday. This is not to say that a large number of people are taking off, but you may be able to sneak an extra day to make a long weekend. Of course, make sure that you have all of your work lined up before doing this. Yes, you want to take breaks, but you should not miss any deadlines while doing so.
Believe it or not, most clients are receptive to freelancers who need to take some time off every so often. In fact, several of my clients have jokingly told me to stop sending emails and completed projects at night and on the weekend. They know that I am working more than eight hours per day, and hate to think that they are the reason. If you need a day off and are worried about a client getting upset, explain your situation to them. Chances are that this will not be a problem for them.
You do not have to take days off every week. Instead, when you feel like you are burning out or need a little rest, get ahead on your work and take some time for yourself. You may be surprised to find that a little bit of rest will make you a better worker when you head back to the office.
Anytime I take on a new client, I wonder whether or not they will pay me when the time comes. While there are some measures that you can take in order to ensure payment, you never know what a client is going to do down the line.
Keep this in mind: persistence is the key to receiving payment from a freelance writing client that is attempting to dodge you. When it comes down to it, if you forget about the payment the client will probably do the same. But if you stay on top of them, you will more than likely get what is owed to you in the end.
What does it mean to stay persistent? How can I do this without being overbearing? First and foremost, you need to realize that this should be handled on a case by case basis. With some clients, I never have to remind them to pay me; even the first time. They know what they owe me, and send it upon completion. On the other side of things, some clients need a push from time to time. You need to consider when you submitted your invoice, as well as how you will be paid in order to determine when to follow up. For instance, if you are planning on receiving payment by check, you will want to wait a few weeks. Of course, with a PayPal payment you can receive funds instantly. In this case, you may want to check up with a client after five to seven days.
Make sure that you do not accuse the client of nonpayment before you give them a chance. Remember, not everybody pays invoices on a daily basis. I work with many large companies that only send payment once per month. If you are worried about payment, you may want to ask the client their policy. In most cases, this will ease your mind.
In rare cases when a couple months go by, you need to start checking in with the client on a more regular basis. If you are lucky this will never happen because waiting months for payment can be difficult. Again, if the client is being responsive make sure you ask them for a clear cut answer on when your payment will arrive. If they are ignoring you altogether, you will want to get creative. Try to send emails, call on the phone, and even rely on snail mail.
All in all, if you complete a freelance writing project you are entitled to the agreed upon payment. While most people are honest and prompt when it comes to sending payment, there will always be those who are a bit behind. When dealing with these clients, make sure you are persistent until you receive your funds.Â
