The other day a new writer on my subbing list apologised for pestering me with questions. I told the writer to forget it, as it’s better to ask than to go wrong and have to fix it. I think there are five questions that writers should always ask to get the job done and to help them to further their writing careers. Here they are:
What do you want me to do?
Getting the right information from the client is the key to getting the job done right. I always ask questions until I’m sure I understand what’s needed. That means that I don’t have to spend time on rewrites later in the process. Asking questions saves time and effort, so it’s worth clarifying the brief before you start writing.
What’s the deadline?
Every client has a deadline in mind. As the writer you need to meet that deadline, but it’s also important to find out if there’s flexibility if you need it. Some of my clients want everything yesterday, while others would rather wait a bit longer to get a good job done. Knowing which is which helps me to plan my work and keep everyone happy.
When will I get paid?
This is the eternal question for freelancers. It’s nice to have clients who pay a deposit and the rest on completion, but not every client will do this. I always request a deposit from new clients. Established ones have a little more leeway. However, some clients pay every two or four weeks, and you need to be aware of this so that you can manage your cash flow.
What other services can I offer?
Don’t be content with simply doing the job that the client has paid for. You have other skills, so see how they can add value for the client and offer to do another job. At best, you will get more money coming in. At worst, you will have let the client know that you have a wide range of skills so the client can consider you for future work.
Will you recommend me to others?
When your client is happy, ask for a testimonial. You can even offer to write it (after all, that’s your skill) so that the client can approve it. The more testimonials you have, the more appealing you are to other clients.
(Photo: ppdigital)
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{ 11 comments }
I dn’t know why, but I never seem to ask the last two questions in your list . . . and I *REALLY* should! Thank you for such a great post!Jenn Hollowell’s last blog post..Research! Research! Research!
I just spent time last week doing rewrites due to a miscommunication – and when you are a freelancer time is money! But it was my error, so I apologized and made the corrections as quickly as possible. In the future I will make sure to be as specific as possible when asking questions to make sure I understand what my clients need.
@ Jenn Hallowell: I need to get better about the last two questions on the list too!
The last two are the hardest ones to remember. I’m getting better at number 5, but sometimes forget about no. 4 myself.
This is a great list. I agree – it’s better to ask questions than do it wrong. I made a ton of mistakes at the beginning (and I still make them!) I try to help so people don’t screw up the same way.
Katherine’s last blog post..Final Step – Formatting the eBook
Excellent post!
I’ve recently developed a new client questionnaire which is going to prove very helpful. It lists questions I need answered to help me do the project plus lists my payment terms. I even made sure I put allowances in there for future price increases so that if I develop a long term relationship with someone I’m not frozen at today’s pricing.
I sent this questionnaire out for the first time yesterday to a new client query and think it’ll help them understand my professionalism and will help me do a better job giving them what they want.
Dana’s last blog post..Going After The Fruit in Freelance Writing
Tip #5 is excellent, and one that I’ve never considered. I’ll have to remember it!
Hi Sharon! I am a part time freelance writer wanting to do it full time so that I can spend more time with my son. Your blog is very helpful and enlightening! Thanks for putting it all out there!
Erin
Erin’s last blog post..Is it Really Worth it to Be Superwoman?
Glad you’ve enjoyed the tips. Dana, a client questionnaire sounds like a good idea – one more thing for me to develop (although I have an idea about that too)
That is a great list. I especially like the last two tips.
I also like Dana’s comment about a questionnaire. That also sounds like something I need to do.
It’s tough finding clients and when you get them you want to keep them and keep them happy.
Excelent post. Thank you for this. I am new to freelancing and was wondering what questions I should ask. Thanks for the help!
Sal’s last blog post..10 Business Strategies I Learned from Wal-Mart
Glad you liked it, Sal, Felicia. I always get useful tips from Dana. She’s a whiz at organization.
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