Getting new clients is an uphill task. On the other hand getting existing ones to hire you for another project, is as easy as ensuring they are happy and satisfied with the work you are anyways doing.
I love repeat clients, and I am sure you do too. But you won’t have those client coming back if you are not working hard to make them happy.You will be surprised how the little things can make all the difference between a happy and a not so happy client.
Here are 7 freelance writing tips that will go a long way in splattering satisfied grins on the faces of your new and existing clients.
1.Write Tailored Proposals – This may seem as an obvious point. But I double up as a contractor and a client on Elance, and I am usually surprised by the amount of copy-paste proposals that I receive when I post a job, or proposals which do not meet the project specifications.
Make it easy for a potential client to select you by tailoring the proposal to the project requirement.
Customizing each proposal may be a time consuming process, but its the only way to get well paying projects that are really worth your time. Making the effort, is a win-win for you and the client.
2.Communicate Effectively and Openly– Employees who communicate effectively stand a higher chance of winning promotions in their workplaces. The same applies to the freelance writing industry.
A few communication DO’s:
3. Add True Value – There is an imminent danger in stopping at doing exactly what you are hired to do. Sooner or later the client will discover another freelancer who is willing to go a step further, and guess who will the client be predisposed to hire the next time they have a job opening? You guessed it right – the other writer!
If you want to have clients who hire you time and again , you must be willing to go the extra mile. Here are some suggestions –
4. Share Your Service Charter – What is the client signing onto when he decides to hire you? If you do not have a service charter, you are missing out on an important aspect that can win you happier clients. A service charter is a promise of –
5. Improve Your Skills – Add value to the arsenal of skills that you possess as a freelance writer.The year is still young and there is still time to craft a few New Year resolutions . Here are some suggestions
Set goals to improve your skills and track your progress.
6. Be Courteous at All Times – Each client is different and should be treated as such. Some may require more communication than others, others may not be as forthcoming with information, or may take longer to process invoices. Be courteous and professional in your communication regardless of the differences among your clients. Give them your best both in terms of content as well as in the way you deal with them.
7. Ask for Feedback – Positive feedback is the backbone of your freelance writing career. New clients will depend on feedback and recommendations when deciding whether they want to hire you. Feedback will also help you identify things you need to do differently or handle better with an existing client.
There you have it – the 7 freelance writer’s tips that will make your clients happy and keep them coming back for more. Do you have additional suggestions for the list? Feel free to drop them in the comments box.