What’s on the iPod: I’m a Mess by Ed Sheeran
It’s been a good week. I’ve reached out to some existing clients, some new-to-me clients, and some contacts. I’m helping one client finish up a project, and I’m looking forward to another project with them. Hopefully, that will be finalized soon.
As I get further along in this writing career, I notice my attitudes changing. Where I used to be the silent partner in a writing project, I’m now more inclined to be an advocate for my clients. For example, I was doing a project recently when I noticed something seriously awry. I was being paid to do A, but it was obvious that B was needed, too. I told them and gave them suggestions on how to fix it.
Also, these days the partnership, to me, is important. I’m not just writing for a client — I’m partnering with them to make sure they get what they want, how they want it. I provide drafts and we go from there. Isn’t that how it should be?
It is to me.
I think advocating for a client — supporting their interests and even promoting them — is something we writers can do to differentiate from every other writer out there. It doesn’t really take that much more effort to do the right thing by your client (and dammit, you should anyway), nor does it tax you to make a deeper investment into the relationship. Here are some ways to advocate for your client:
Know their business. This should go without saying, but some writers continue to shock me with how they do the absolute minimum needed to get the job. You should know what your client’s business is, who their customers are, and how they communicate (voice, focus, message). If you don’t, it will show. If you know this much, you can be a much better partner to them.
Make suggestions. Client advocates don’t simply deliver copy — they make suggestions and really become involved in the project. Don’t be afraid your suggestions won’t be welcome. It doesn’t matter. If you know something that could help, say it. Most clients would be happy to have your fresh perspective.
Adopt their vision/mission. To you, it’s just a writing project. To them, it’s an important part of their business or of themselves. Consider that they’ve just placed ownership of part of their project in your lap. How are you going to protect and nurture their baby?
Ease the process. For some clients, this is the first time they’ve worked with a freelance writer. Help them work with you. Explain how your usual work process, what they can do to help you, and what they’ll see first (I cushion the first-draft shock with what-to-expect-next wording). Even those clients who have worked with writers may need reassurance. In a few cases, I was the replacement for some pretty awful writers (clients’ words, not mine). Help them have faith in you.
And don't be afraid to tell clients you think they're wrong – about an approach, an angle, a pitch, a format … whatever. That, too, is advocating for them because you want to save them pain down the road. Be able to tell them why you think so, and offer them a sound alternative. If they decide to go with their original idea, so be it; they'll have made an informed decision.
This is one of my favorite parts of the job. Love helping them beyond the writing part. Fantastic post, Lori. Was surprised to read you were silent in the early days … but then it makes sense as we have to learn the business and our way around.
It was fear of losing them, Meryl. I wonder how many of them I would have kept longer had I spoken up?
Great advice, Eileen. I think it's important to be frank with clients. If you tell them and they ignore you, so be it. But you told them.
And all of those things will allow them to trust you and want to keep working with you.