I strongly believe that good customer service is very important. The way you treat clients will have a lot to do with whether or not they rely on your services moving forward. With so many ways to go the extra mile for a client, there is nothing that should hold you back in this area. Here are three basic ideas that can make a big difference:
1. Turn in your work before the deadline. Over the years I have found that clients love when you do this. The last thing they want is to have their backs against the wall because you decided to turn in your work a minute before it was due. The quicker you can finish the job, without compromising quality, the better off you will be.
2. Throw in something extra. This is not something that you should do all the time, but a great idea every now and then. For instance, if a web client orders 10 keyword articles you may want to do an extra one or two just to show how much you care. Of course, make sure you tell the client that they are free – you don’t want them to think you are trying to squeeze money out of them.
3. Don’t hide. Many clients have told horror stories of hiring a freelancer just to have him disappear for days or weeks on end. Even though you know you are working hard on the task, your client cannot read minds. It is a good idea to check in from time to time. And if your client calls or sends you an email, make sure you answer as quickly as possible.
The above three ideas are just that – ideas. You can use them in your own freelance writing career, or decide on other ways to go the extra mile. No matter what, keep in mind that customer service is crucial to the development of your business.Â
When I was first starting out as a freelance writer I distinctly remember how intimidated I was by all of the information available online, in books, etc. The learning curve for getting started as a freelance writer appeared quite massive, and this was a very scary situation. While there is a lot of information out there, I want you to know that the learning curve is not nearly as scary as it looks. In other words, if you want to become a freelance writer do not let this hold you back.
Moving at your own pace is essential. Even though there is a lot to learn and many others who know more than you, there is no good reason to rush forward and get ahead of yourself. The learning curve is only scary if you bite off more than you can chew. Sure, every freelance writer wants to move from one stage to the next as quickly as possible. This means more success and profits in a shorter period of time. But if you rush forward and do not take care of the tasks at hand you will find yourself backtracking and trying to pick up the details and knowledge that you missed the first time around.
Every time I get involved with a new venture I look at the learning curve and wonder how I am ever going to catch up to the industry. At first it seems like progress is so far away, but soon enough everything begins to fall into place. As long as you avoid paralysis by analysis you will be just fine.
Aspiring freelance writers find out soon enough that there is a lot to learn. Take your career one step at a time so that the details never overwhelm you.
There are many ways to find work as a freelance writer. One that is often times overlooked is sending query letters to print publications. Although some freelancers believe that this is a thing of the past, I can assure you that this is still a great way to grow your client base.
Simply put, a query letter is one that you send to an editor pitching a story. I use WritersMarket.com to find contact information for editors, as well as a comprehensive list of publications. As you begin to search for publications and markets you will find that there are many options out there.
Some editors prefer to receive queries via snail mail. Others allow freelancers to get in touch via email. This information is provided by WritersMarket.com – another good reason to use the service.
There is no denying that magazines and newspapers are not nearly as popular as they once were. More and more people are using the internet and staying away from print publications. That being said, magazines are still looking for freelancers. Some of them will not pay you a dime for your submissions. Others have no problem paying in upwards of $1/word.Â
If you have stopped sending query letters you should have a good reason. The same holds true for those who never tried this method in the first place.
To find new clients you need to consider all your options. Sending query letters is still a great idea. Do not overlook this form of marketing your freelance writing services.
