If life is one big class, then I got a lot of my lessons solely from being a freelance writer. As I reflect on these last 5-years, I’d have to say while it hasn’t been an easy road, it was a necessary one. Hopefully, you won’t have to stumble in the dark as I have. Read up on what things I wish I didn’t have to learn the hard way.
Get clear about whether you’re getting paid or not.
Money is an uncomfortable issue. And when you’re first starting out, you just feel grateful for getting any writing job. But being clear about whether you’re an intern or a paid client is vital. Don’t be like me and find out after the fact. If you think bringing up payment is uncomfortable, try doing it after you find out they were never expecting to pay you in the first place!
Don’t believe that any class, course, webinar, books etc. will have THE answer to helping you succeed as a freelance writer.
Not that they aren’t helpful. But realize you’re going to have to do the work yourself. Don’t expect miracles just because a writer, blogger or business person says they have the key to making you a millionaire. Otherwise you’ll be like me, a little more broke and not that much wiser.
Have some type of written contract.
I’ll admit it took me a few times to really understand the importance of getting things down on paper. For the sake of saving yourself and your client from future conflict, make sure you specify exactly what is expected of you, what you’re willing to do for them, by when and for how much. This will prevent you from angry clients who may be surprised by the final bill.
Never overestimate what you can deliver.
It’s much better to underplay what you can do, then to oversell. If you tell them that you can complete a project within a few days, just to get the job but realistically you can only do it in a week’s time, you’ll eventually lose their faith in you and inevitably lose this client. Always over deliver. I know that getting projects done way before it’s due or submitting more than what’s expected of me has had positive results. And the opposite? It’ll leave you with an unhappy, dissatisfied client.
Be pleasant and easy to work with.
They may hire you because of you’re experience and talent. They’ll keep you because you’re a pleasure to work with. In the past, I worked with a few difficult writers, writers who were disagreeable, unhelpful and not very dependable. They make work so much harder. Know that you’re not just delivering good writing to your client, but good customer service. That’s how you get continuous business. That’s how you succeed as a freelance writer. Make sure you pack up your ego and remember being nice and helpful goes a long way when it comes to your business.
What about you? Any lessons you had to learn the hard way?
Often, I send an email describing what I see as the terms of our agreement and say that unless I hear differently by a certain date, it will stand. That’s a little less formal than a written contract but serves the same purpose – everything is in writing and I have something to fall back on.
Great tip Cindy! Thanks for the advice!
Great tip Cindy! Thanks for the advice!
Valuable tips indeed! Thanks, Brandi.
In my case, 100% of my clients are located across the globe, so the alternative to a written contract would be my project proposal or the emails we’ve exchanged before the project began. Yes, the latter isn’t reliable, but there’s always a possibility that a client will turn his/her back on the contract; hence, leaving it pretty much useless.
I completely agree with you on your last two points. Under-promise and over-deliver makes a happy client. Friendliness and reliability will convince them to keep coming back to you.
– Stef G.
Hi Brandi: I learned that same lesson on courses, webinars, books, etc. By nature, writers love to learn. My 1st year, there wasn’t a book I didn’t buy or a webinar I didn’t attend.
Kind of heard to get your work done when your nose is constantly stuck in a book or at a webinar. 🙂
The other is don’t buy into every guru who tells you how you need to run your business. The best guru for your business is looking at you in the mirror every morning. 🙂
Lol! So true Cathy. I wish I knew that when I first started. My wallet would have been a whole lot fatter. Guess the one word that would have solved it all is, “faith.” I needed to believe that I had enough gusto to get there. Thankfully it’s a lesson I can learn over and over again. I noticed if you don’t get the lesson once, you’ll get to learn it again. Thanks for the comment and the #FF today! Hope you’re doing well!
Hi Stef!
Yes it’s unfortunate that every time we work with a client, there’s always that risk we take that they won’t pay or be difficult, etc. But I agree that it’s much better having one. At least if something does happen you don’t have to say to yourself: “Man, I should have wrote something up!” Much nicer to the ego. Thanks for your comment!
Oh, my gosh, are the drugs kicking in or did you change your theme? 😀
Lol! Wow you’re fast! Yep, was in the mood for website redecoration? You like it?