As a freelance writer you are going to run into bad clients from time to time. This happens to me every so often, and you should expect the same at some point. While this is part of the freelance writing industry, it is never fun. That being said, you can learn a lot from a bad client. You might as well take something positive away from this experience.
Here are two things a bad client can teach you:
1. How not to treat people. Is your client in the habit of talking down on you? Does he call at all hours of the day with demands that you have to meet without delay? By sitting back and watching how your client acts you can get a good idea of what you should avoid when dealing with others, no matter who they may be.
2. What to look for in future clients. It goes without saying that you want to avoid bad clients at all costs. Once you work with a few of these you should be able to better avoid them in the future. Do all of your bad clients start out by making demands that are unrealistic? If so, the moment that you recognize this happening you should either put a stop to it or walk away. This way you don’t get too deep, as you did in the past, and find yourself in a worse position.
There is nothing worse than getting involved with a bad client. Unfortunately, this happens even when you are guarding against it. Do yourself a favor and learn from these experiences. This will make you a better freelance writer in the long run.
As a freelance writer you will work one day after the next. While this is just like any other job, you really need to make sure that you know what you are doing. This means planning your next day before it ever arrives. In other words, know what you need to do from the moment you sit down at your computer in the morning.
Here are three things you can do to successfully plan your next day as a freelance writer:
1. Have a to-do list. No matter what is on the agenda, I have a to-do list sitting right next to me at all times. This helps to keep me on track, and to ensure that I don’t miss anything that needs done.
2. Know your priorities. A to-do list is great, but you also need to know what is most important. Which projects needs to be completed and sent off to the client first? Which ones can wait until the end of the day?
3. Think about more than the work you have to do for clients. Do you have any of your own projects that need worked on? Is there anything you can do to market your services? While client work may be most important to you, don’t forget to leave time for other tasks.
I always plan my next day before it arrives. Sure, things can change along the way but for the most part I know what needs to get done. If you want to stay better organized and work in a more efficient manner, follow the three tips above.
Are you the type of person who likes to work on the weekends? Although this may not sound like fun, if you choose to work on the right projects it can lead to a very good time. Personally, I use the weekends to work on my own projects. This is not always the case, but it is something I try to stick to for the most part.
When you say your “own projects†what do you mean? For me, this means my blog, new websites I am developing, books, etc. This includes pretty much anything that I am doing for myself, as opposed to a client.
The reason that I prefer to work on my own projects during this time is that I don’t have to be 100 percent on top of my game. I can take breaks when need be, while also working at my own pace. With client work I like to be able to sit down, focus on the task at hand, and complete the project. On top of this, there is no room for error. This is not to say that I want to make mistakes on my projects, but I know there is always time to go back and sure things up.
If you have any time on the weekend for work, think about focusing on your own projects. This is a great way to stay involved while still being productive. Soon enough you may find that your projects are earning just as much as those you are completing for clients.
