Freelance Writing|Freelance Writer

How do you communicate with Clients?

Members of my freelance writing course are always bringing up the question of how to best communicate with clients. Some of them love to call clients on the phone, and even visit in person when they can, but others would much rather use email. Is one type of communication better than the next? Well, this all depends on who you are and the client you are dealing with.

Through my years as a freelance writer I have found that most clients, about 75 percent in my case, prefer to communicate via email. This is usually easiest because it is quick and efficient while also leaving a trail.

What about the other 25 percent? These clients usually like to speak on the phone from time to time. No matter if they call me or vice versa, phone calls are the primary mode of communication. I know many freelance writers who hate to speak with clients on the phone. For me, this is a dream come true. I love to talk with clients on the phone because it gives me the chance to communicate with the “outside world” via a method other than email.

As of late, more and more new clients are asking for an initial phone consultation before starting a project. I love doing this because it gives me the chance to “meet” the client while also discussing project details. In my opinion, it is quicker and often times more efficient to talk about a project on the phone. A short call can go a long way in ensuring that both you and the client are on the same page.

This is a topic that I have discussed in the past, but one that is necessary to bring up again. Many aspiring freelance writers think they don’t have to communicate regularly with clients because they work from home. In some cases you may be right. But soon enough you will find a client that wants to communicate on a regular basis no matter if it is via email, telephone, or in person. The way you communicate with clients will determine the type of relationship you build. My best advice is to take cues from your client. Let them lead you towards the communication method that works best for them.