Do it My Way or Else
When you are hired as a freelance writer it is because you are good at what you do and you can guide the client from start to finish. That being said, you need to avoid the “do it my way or else†attitude. Although a client comes to you for help, you need to remember that they are not looking for somebody to boss them around. Believe it or not, this is a huge problem that I am asked about time after time. It is your job to help clients in whatever way you can. But this does not mean that you should tell them that you are right, and that your ideas are the only ones that matter.
There is nothing wrong with guiding your client during a project. But if they ask for something that you do not agree with, you don’t want to stick to your guns for too long. At the most, tell them what you think and ask why they feel the way they do. A bit of conversation can go a long way in clearing up this type of situation. If the client continues to persist on doing things their way, by all means go along with them. Remember, they are paying you to write. As long as you can comfortably complete the job for the agreed upon price, you should listen to what the client is asking for.
There is a big difference between making suggestions and telling a client that it is your way or else. You are a writer first and foremost, but at the same time you need to exercise good customer service. Your client is paying you to do what they ask. If the client does not agree with the direction that you are heading, ask them what they want and then give it to them.
As a freelance writer you want to offer guidance to every client that needs it. But remember, a “do it my way or else†attitude is not going to get you far. In fact, the only thing that it will lead to is an angry client. And who wants that?
