Comments on: 6 Ways to Work with Writing Clients https://wordsonpageblog.com/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html a freelance writing resource. Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:29:08 +0000 hourly 1 By: Gabriella F. https://wordsonpageblog.com/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html#comment-12993 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:29:08 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html/#comment-12993 I second Devon's startup policy. I had one that started to slow-pay me because his money was tight. Then he got pissy when I pushed for full payment. Never again!

I also like the idea of asking "what are the three points you want to make?" I do believe I'll be stealing that technique. Thank you, Eileen!

]]> By: Lori Widmer https://wordsonpageblog.com/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html#comment-12992 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 20:28:34 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html/#comment-12992 Only once was I offered a fair wage from a startup. Even that ended badly when, strapped for cash, the client tried to get me to rewrite an article in just two hours because that's all the money she had.

Cathy, super point. Managing expectations is exactly what it takes to keep them happy and make our jobs easier!

Paula, I've no trouble telling clients that additional work requires additional pay. It takes just one pile-on of additional work for no additional pay to drive that point home! And Paula, the source came through. Amen. 🙂

Devon, welcome to the club. 🙂 I've been shying away from startups for ages because of those few bad instances. That's not to say all startups are tight on cash — only those who aren't doing it right. Those seem to be the people who find me. LOL

]]> By: Cathy Miller https://wordsonpageblog.com/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html#comment-12991 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 17:48:57 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html/#comment-12991 Devon, I know what you mean. That word has me running the other way, too. Make them a non-profit on top of it and it can totally get out of control. I had one that I wanted to tell, just because it's your charity doesn't make it mine. 😉

]]> By: Devon Ellington https://wordsonpageblog.com/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html#comment-12990 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 16:47:04 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html/#comment-12990 I'm preparing to join the ranks of no longer working with start-ups, because the last few have tried to screw me big time. Fortunately, I put my foot down. But, seriously, from now on, when I see the words "start up" I'm going to go, "next!"

The last few have an unreasonable sense of entitlement and need a solid boot of reality check right up their . . . .

]]> By: Paula https://wordsonpageblog.com/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html#comment-12989 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:21:09 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html/#comment-12989 I think some people simply don't get the difference between minor revisions and major changes.

Construction contractors have the right idea: any time a client makes a change they issue official Change Orders. Contractors are good about making sure clients know they'll be happy to make whatever changes they want, but they will cost a premium. (Maybe we need a general contractor to write a Writers Worth Month Guest Post!)

BTW, Lori – I had one of those beyond last-minute sources last week, but it all came together well. Yours will, too.

]]> By: Cathy Miller https://wordsonpageblog.com/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html#comment-12988 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 12:53:26 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html/#comment-12988 Managing expectations. My Statement of Work includes in my timeline the receipt of information from the client. If I don't receive the requested information by the date in the timeline, clients know it could affect the delivery date of the draft.

I send periodic updates before then, such as: Remaining information includes X, Y, Z. It helps drive home the point that delivery date is based on variables that all have to come together.

]]> By: Lori Widmer https://wordsonpageblog.com/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html#comment-12987 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 12:22:26 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html/#comment-12987 Amen, Eileen! It does make the job easier. Another thing is doing just a little bit of homework. If you go into a client call knowing their business focus and what other spin-off businesses they have, they're impressed that you bothered.

]]> By: Eileen https://wordsonpageblog.com/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html#comment-12986 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 11:46:21 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2014/04/6-ways-to-work-with-writing-clients.html/#comment-12986 Asking smart questions: this one can't be overemphasized enough. If it's a new or prospective client, they'll know that you know what you're doing by the kinds of questions you ask. And asking the right questions, as you said, is going to make your job easier. I almost always ask a variation of this question, which I got from Peter Bowerman's book: "What are the three most important points this piece needs to make?" Once you have the answer to that one, your job is half done.

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