As a kid, I was always a bit envious of my brother
He’s always been the kind of person who can make friends anywhere, and talk to just about anyone. I am not like that.
Even today, I dread phone calls with clients and even a few distant friends. I get the sweats every time a client asks about meeting in person. One client I work with invited me to a conference last winter. Even though it was in Florida and I wasn’t about to turn down some free travel somewhere warm, I spent weeks fretting over the prospect of having to network.
But when your livelihood depends on selling your services, talking to clients comes with the territory. I power through those interactions with a smile on my face because I know that every client and every assignment gives me the ability to continue living life as a digital nomad (read more about how I started this life here). And I’m not about to give that up.
So instead, I’ve developed a few skills and tactics for talking to clients that I think other freelancers and nomads need to learn. Here they are.
Ask for Help Before You Need it
When a client gives you an assignment, it’s always a good idea to read it over carefully and look for any potential problems before you get started.
Are you going to need to do some research and aren’t sure where to start? Is the assignment missing key details like length or word count requirements? Do you need answers to questions about the client or their company before you can start writing?
Asking questions like this immediately after receiving your freelance writing assignment shows the client that you are experienced and know what to ask, and that you are motivated to get working right away. If your client thinks you’re an expert, whether you are or not, they’ll treat you like one. That means no talking down to you and less trying to talk you into more work for less (I say less because it’s still going to happen, just not as much!).
As a new freelancer, it’s also a great way to improve your writing skills, as you learn about how to adapt to a different tone and style for each client.
Remember your Thank You’s
Your mom was right when she told you that saying thank you can go a long way.
This is another simple switch that can do a lot to earn your client’s respect. Being polite from that very first inquiry email to the time when you turn in your final assignment can go a long ways towards making clients repeat customers.
If you’re completing a single project for a client, consider sending them an email after the project is over, thanking them for working with you. This will leave you fresh in their mind when it comes time to start their next project.
If your clients are pleased with your work and your attitude, they’ll be more likely to recommend you to other clients as well!
Always Ask for Feedback
When you submit your first piece to a new client, let them know that you are open to feedback.
Even if a piece is perfectly written, if you’ve never worked with this client before, you may not be aware of certain brand standards that they use or preferences that they have. If they don’t give you clear guidelines before you start a job, it certainly isn’t your fault if you don’t include them. But showing that you are flexible and willing to do what it takes to make sure that the client is happy with the finished product is good customer service.
It’ll go a long way towards helping you land other freelance writing jobs with that client in the future. Just like asking for help at the beginning of a project, asking for feedback afterward can help you improve your writing skills.
Make Yourself Available
There are a lot of freelance writers out there. If your clients have a hard time getting a hold of you, they may opt to take their business elsewhere.
If you want to land–and keep–freelance writing jobs, you need to make yourself accessible to clients. While you don’t need to answer emails at
3 a.m. or hand out your phone number, you should make an effort to answer messages from clients within 24 hours, or less if you are working on projects with very short deadlines.
If your client wants to communicate via phone, Skype, or a different messaging service, make an effort to be accommodating. It can be daunting for new freelance writers to speak to clients on the phone or in a video chat, but going the extra mile to make your clients happy can go a long way towards landing future freelance writing jobs.
Keep it Formal, Regardless of the Client
After a few weeks of working with a client, you may find yourself calling them by their first name. If you and the client are on good terms, and they are calling you by your first name as well, this isn’t necessarily a problem. But don’t let this tempt you to abandon other formalities as well.
Keep your emails professional in format and in language. Include an introduction like “Hello,” Dear,” or just the client’s name, even if the email is only going to be a short note. Keep the tone of your emails formal and professional.
Your freelance writing is a business and should be treated like one. Keeping a level of formality with your clients will help to show them that you are committed to your job, and to remaining professional.
Learning to Talk With Your Clients, One Freelance Writing Job at a Time
Learning how to communicate effectively with your clients won’t happen overnight.
As you take on more freelance writing jobs, you’ll learn that some strategies work well with certain clients, while others do not. Keep these five tips in mind, and make sure that you are staying organized and meeting deadlines, and you’ll be building a successful career as a freelance writer in no time!
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Cate Goes 