Comments on: Promises, Promises

By: Kristen King

Kristen King — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:21:00 +0000

Lori, I assume you're talking about our mutual regular client? Yes, I'm DYING. My invoice last month was about half what I'm used to. August sucked. I'm hoping for a better September. Right now I'm working on 2 book projects, one that's been going on for-ev-er and another that's super speedy, in and out, in 4 weeks. Which is fast if you ask me for a book that's more than 130K words!

When things are quiet, I follow up with people to see how the last project finished up or if I can touch base in six weeks to see if they need me, that kind of thing. Which reminds me, I have someone I forgot to e-mail last week! Ack! Okay, off to do that right now before I forget.

kk :)

By: Jennifer Williamson

Jennifer Williamson — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:56:00 +0000

I have a tendency to get really excited about new clients–usually the more excited I am, the more likely it is to dry up. So I’ve been trying to rein in my enthusiasm.

Follow-up is my tactic, and it’s gotten me a lot of business. Like Amanda, I’ll email after a week or so to check in on clients who disappear. I had one client disappear for months without a word after I sent them a quote–I assumed they didn’t like the price–and then get in touch with me later. They’ve since become one of my favorite regulars. You really never know what’s going on or why people don’t respond to your quotes–it may not be you–and it’s always worth it to keep in touch.

By: Amanda Nicole

Amanda Nicole — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:50:00 +0000

I always follow up with those potential clients who go MIA after I give them a quote. I wait 3-5 days and follow up with a nonchalant, “I just wanted to make sure you received my last email with the quote in it…” If I never hear back, I know they wanted it done for much cheaper. If I do hear back, I at least get an answer as to why they’re still thinking about it.

I also hit up my regular clients when they’ve been silent, but I try to keep it light as well, asking how they’ve been doing, did they get a chance to take that holiday, etc. They always seem happy that I’m keeping in touch, and often it turns into another assignment faster than if I’d waited for them to contact me first.

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Great game plan! As soon as the work that’s already on my plate dies down, I’m actually planning to follow up with those who never responded to my quotes.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:29:00 +0000

But even if you did, Kathy, you know they'd want it for less.

I'm trying to devise a follow-up method that brings in at least one more of those ten inquiries. So far, I'm thinking just consistent communication and getting the client to express whatever reservations they may have is what's needed.

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:22:00 +0000

You’re not alone. I had at least four new inquiries in my mailbox early this week. I quoted them all prices and have since only heard back from one, which looks like a done deal. So as of right now, I’m in the 20-25% range. I suppose I could snag a higher percentage if I lowered my rates, but that’s not going to happen.