Experienced scribes and lovers of the printed word can find a fun and rewarding career in freelance writing. As a freelance writer, you’ll have the chance to produce a wide assortment of deliverables for an equally wide array of clients. However, as is the case with any form of freelancing, repeat business is the key to long-term viability. In the absence of regular clients, many writers are likely to see their income fluctuate wildly from month to month. As such, freelance writers who value stability should aim to attract a dependable assortment of repeat clients.
Exude Dependability
Every time a client enlists your services, they’re taking a chance – and there’s no better way to repay their trust than delivering on your promises. Needless to say, if you consistently shrug off deadlines and present yourself as a poor communicator, most clients are unlikely to work with you more than once. Conversely, if you prove yourself capable of meeting deadlines, taking directions and promptly answering messages, your odds of turning first-time customers into regular clients will increase exponentially.
While meeting deadlines may seem like a no-brainer for a freelance writer, a surprising number of scribes won’t think twice about blowing past deadlines or requesting last-minute extensions. Unsurprisingly, many clients find this behavior unbecoming of professional writers and refuse to provide unreliable freelancers with second chances. When it comes to freelance writing, completing assignments on time can earn you a lot of sway with first-time customers and long-time patrons alike.
Provide Prompt Estimates and Invoices
Most clients encourage freelancers to submit estimates and invoices as soon as possible. Not only does this help companies stay on top of their accounting, it also ensures that writers are compensated for their work in a timely manner. With this in mind, send out your invoices within 48 hours of completing assignments unless a client instructs you to do otherwise. Furthermore, take care to provide clients with easy-to-digest estimates within 24 hours of discussing new assignments. Freelancers looking to imbue their estimates with an air of professionalism should check out the Aynax.com free online estimate template.
Be Open to Revising Your Work
You’d be hard-pressed to find a writer who enjoys making changes to their work. However, as any seasoned freelancer can attest, accepting revision requests in stride is a necessary part of the job. Expressing frustration in response to a revision request or simply refusing to make revisions altogether will not reflect well on your professionalism or prove conducive to attracting repeat business. Even if you don’t think certain revisions are necessary, it’s in your best interest to respect the client’s wishes and make the proposed changes.
Earning one’s livelihood as a freelance writer isn’t always easy. Even if you genuinely enjoy your work, a lack of regular clients may prevent you from turning your passion for writing into a viable career. That being the case, attracting repeat business should be a priority for every freelance writer. In the quest to build your client base, the previously discussed pointers are sure to come in handy.
