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.
I try to practice what a preach, but every so often this escapes me. Most recently, I fell prey to a client who promised more work if I could complete his current project in a short period of time. Since I had a few extra hours and had spoken with the client on the phone, I figured that he was telling the truth. Was I right? Of course not. The project was completed on time, early in fact, and that was the last that I heard from the client. Luckily, I requested payment upfront so at least I didn’t lose out in that regard as well.
Time after time, clients will tell you that they have plenty more work if you can just do them one huge favor right now. In my case, the favor was a rush job. In many other circumstances the client will ask for a lower price since they are going to be sending you so much work. Of course, this is nothing more than a ploy to get what they want. This is not to say that every client is lying, because that is not the case. I have had clients tell me that they would send more work after the first job, and then follow through promptly. But in my experience, most people who want special treatment in return for future work have no intention of ever working with you again.
If you plan on doing business with a client that is promising future work and you are skeptical in the least bit, it is important to get paid upfront. Remember, if they are dishonest enough to attempt to trick you, they are dishonest enough to not send payment after the project is complete. If they refuse to pay you upfront for your services, you will then have to decide how to proceed. At the very least, you will not want to accept anything less than 50 percent of the agreed upon price.
If you are like most freelance writers you want to hear from clients that can offer ongoing work. But remember, promises of future work mean nothing. Protect yourself against this scam by only accepting projects that meet your terms, and of course, receiving payment before you begin.
