Offer to Speak with Freelance Writing Clients on the Phone
Although the internet and email have a lot to offer freelance writers, it is important to remember that the phone is still a tool that should be used from time to time. I am just like everybody else in the way that I primarily communicate with clients via email. But with that being said, I always offer to speak with them on the phone as well. Why do I do this, you may ask? Well, here are two of the top reasons:
1. Speaking with a client on the phone helps to build rapport. In other words, email is such an impersonal way to communicate. While email is commonly accepted, by offering to talk on the phone a client gets the feeling that you are really interested in learning about who they are and what they do.
Do not go overboard when offering to call a client. Simply give them your phone number, and let them decide whether or not a phone call is necessary.
2. A conversation that would take 10 emails and hours worth of computer time may only take a couple seconds on the phone. If a new client is having a difficult time explaining themselves or need a question answered right away, I always turn to the telephone. It is always easier to clearly and efficiently communicate when you are speaking with a client in real time.
As you can see, offering to speak with freelance writing clients on the phone brings forth many benefits. Some clients never take me up on this offer, and that is fine. But at the very least, they know that I am willing to converse on the phone if necessary.
