Over the past few years, I have seen a sizeable shift in the number of clients that are interested in communicating with me on a regular basis. While this is not always the case, more and more of them seem to be staying in touch via email, phone, and instant messenger.
Personally, I like when my clients stay in touch. This keeps me on the ball and makes it easier for me to ask questions as they arise. However, many freelance writers shy away from this sort of regular contact. Instead, they simply want to receive their assignment, complete the work, and turn it over to the client before the deadline.
It is essential that you make yourself available to clients at all times. I have tricks for making this simple:
- Make sure every client has your phone number
- Answer each and every email as quickly as possible
- Take advantage of an instant messaging program
If you keep these tips in mind, you will find that you are more available than ever before. And of course, this is something that your clients will appreciate.
You never know why one of your clients will want to get in touch. This could range from changing project specs to assigning new work to asking you a basic question. The only thing that truly matters is that you are ready to provide a high level of service.
When you look at the current state of your freelance writing career, do you feel that you are making yourself available to clients? Or are you too difficult to get ahold of?
Every freelance writer has faced this situation before: you have several projects due on the same day (or around the same day) but not enough time to finish everything off. Even if you work longer than usual, you may still come up short.
Although this is a difficult situation to deal with, there are a few things you can do to make your way through this rough time without angering any of your clients.
1. Don’t run and hide. The last thing you want to do is miss a deadline with hopes that your client will forget and let it slide. Rather than do this, open the lines of communication as soon as possible. Once you let the other party know what you are up against, they may be more than willing to shift things around to accommodate your schedule.
2. Work in the proper order. If you have two projects due tomorrow and two others due in three days, it makes the most sense to start with those that are due within 24 hours. This will allow you to move forward with the chance of completing each and every job on time.
Note: if you are disorganized and lack a to-do list you are increasing the odds of working out of order.
3. Keep your cool. Contrary to popular belief, it can be stressful working as a freelance writer. This is particularly true when deadlines are closing in on you in a hurry. It is essential that you keep your cool, continue to work hard, and cross off tasks as they are completed. Don’t let yourself get stressed out.
Above all else, remember this: it can be a good thing to have a lot of projects due at the same time. This may increase your workload – sometimes beyond what you are hoping for – but it also means that you are doing something right and that you are going to get paid!
More so than ever, I am receiving emails from writers asking for advice on dealing with non-payment. Why has this become such a problem as of late? Is it the economy? Are there just more “scammers” out there than ever before? Whatever the reason, it is an issue that every freelance writer has to deal with at some point in time.
Before we go any further, let me tell you that you are not alone. I am owed thousands of dollars related to projects that I completed as long as five years ago. While I don’t expect to receive these payments, it is still frustrating to look back and realize that I put so much time and effort into each project.
If non-payment has become an issue in your career, try out these three tips:
1. Don’t jump the gun. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to get paid, your client may have a good reason for being a tad bit slow. Before you begin to pester the client for payment, give them a chance to explain their situation. In many cases, it may be nothing more than an accounting mix-up. This happens more times than you could ever imagine.
2. Start with email, move to the phone next. Although sending an email reminder is the first step in the process, at some point you may need to pick up the phone to inquire as to the whereabouts of your payment. Is this something you want to do? No. Is it something you should have to do? No again. Unfortunately, if you want to get paid this may be the next step in the process.
3. Don’t give up. Although I have had clients stiff me completely, others have paid up several months late. I didn’t want to wait this long for payment, but in the end the money came through and that is what matters most. However, if you stop your collection efforts the client will forget about you.
Dealing with issues of non-payment can be frustrating. Hopefully these three tips can make things easier on you.
