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How I Handle the Hard Work of Freelancing

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I’m not gonna lie to you; freelancing is hard work.

As much I enjoy writing, and as much as I enjoy being creative, it is a challenging task to be able to do what I love to do AND find and keep consistent writing work at the same time. That’s because I still have to market myself and bid on different jobs just to make sure that I keep myself busy all of the time and to keep my calendar filled with work. There are days/times when everything is D-R-Y…and then there are times when I’m burning the midnight oil at both ends trying to keep up with my deadlines and client satisfaction. (can you actually burn oil…and where are the ends??)

This past week for me has been one of those frustrating times when I don’t know if I’m going to get a client bid on a job, or if they’re going to offer me peanuts to write for one of their sites. Usually when it’s the latter, I get a foul attitude and I decide to never, ever, ever write for anymore private clients again. That is, until the middle of the month gets here and it’s time to get those bills paid.

Know Your Worth

I’ve come to realize after years of writing that as a writer, you have to know and value your own worth. And I know that I am a very good writer. A VERY good writer. How do I know that? Well, for the past 17 years I’ve stayed busy with my writing and have managed to keep a decent momentum going with steady work and a steady clientele.

I’ve also been told numerous times over the years how good my work is. Clients have retained me as their top writer, their top editor, the 1st choice for big accounts, etc. So why is it that sometimes I would be so frustrated??

Well, my frustration often came from trying to understand people. Sometimes it seemed that no matter how hard I work and how much heart I put into my work, I was often expected to either

1.) work for ridiculously low per word rates, or

2.) do more writing work than what was originally agreed upon before I start a project.

By that second one I mean that once the client discovers my writing caliber and my fast production output, they want more, and more, and more. And More. That wouldn’t be so bad to do but they will sometimes flip the script and want the same productivity level with no pay increase or they decide to pull the project once it gets to a certain level for them. This can come without warning to me, who has by this time determined the project to be long-term and have placed everything else (including other clients and my own blogs) on the back burner to focus on the clients needs.

Once I realized my worth, I stopped allowing that to happen to me. Now, I demand and stand firm on my rates, and I get them. Why? Because I let my work speak for itself.

My Freelancing Answer

Freelancing works great for some, I’m sure. And honestly, it works for me too. But for the things that aggravate me so much, I’ve come up with a different solution and a way to get what I need (income, consistency) without feeling like a computer slave.

I own several blog sites that I write on periodically. Periodically because I’m working on client work. Now I realize that those blogs will never grow if I don’t concentrate on growing them.

They will never get to a sizable traffic if I don’t market them and network them. Well, one of the reasons why I haven’t done so before was because I was always working on someone else’s stuff!

To answer that problem, I’ve decided to continue to write for private clients AND work at my own blogs and on getting them up to speed so that they can give me that income and consistency that I need from my own work. My own creative, professional, full-of-heart work. After all, if 17 years worth of clients think that it’s all that, shouldn’t I think so too??

Absolutely.

 

3 Ways to Increase Client Loyalty

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Having been in business now for over 10 years, I’ve learned a few things about clients and client retention that have helped me find success in the writing industry. Clients are all the same: they want to know and feel that their business is important to you. They want to see that you take their business just as seriously as they do and that you’re willing to invest the time and quality applications to ensure that they get the best service that you can provide.

Since I am an online writer and a professional speaker, my clients consist mainly of online web-based clients and some professional businesses offline. When I approach clients, whether at a luncheon or through an online forum, I must present myself first as a professional and as an educated, knowledgeable leader in my niche market. My clients must understand that they’re doing business with someone who can help them. I listen carefully to them to hear what direction they’re trying to go in and offer them tips on how to get there. I offer my services by giving them the attention, tools and specific things they need to make their projects a success. Here are three very important things that you can do in your business to ensure its success:

  • Always communicate with your clients. This is by far one of the chief complaints that I hear and read about online concerning those who are in service-based businesses especially. Clients repeatedly complain that they can’t “get a hold of” the person to whom they’ve trusted their projects. It’s unacceptable to not talk with your clients and keep them abreast on what you’re doing and where you are with their projects. Talk with them, give them updates, ask questions (if necessary) and just be available.
  • Give stellar results. This should go without saying, but oftentimes, stellar results are not what is given from the business owner to the client. Often the mentality is just “get-‘er-done” and a big sigh at the end of the project. When working with clients, it’s important to over-deliver so that you stand out from the competitors. You do this to create an ever-lasting impression on them that will make you hard to forget. Always do this!
  • Practice integrity. This is especially important in service-based businesses. You know how it is when you’ve been quoted one price over the phone, but the invoice reflects a totally different one? That’s not right. If you’ve made an addition error, suck it up and honor the price you quoted. It’s far better to lose a few dollars on the front end than to lose a client and risk your good name or image you’ve tried to build.

A client’s loyalty doesn’t automatically come with their business. You have to work hard to keep it and even harder to prove that you’re worth it. Whatever industry you’re in, there is A LOT of competition out there waiting to pick up any business that you don’t think is worth it. Don’t let that happen to you. Treat your business well and your business will treat you well.