In the world of freelance writing, the ability to garner at least a couple of regular clients is the key to success – and lower stress. I’m fortunate to have two clients that supply me with a steady stream of work and remove the pressure of wondering where my next project will from.
These relationships provide the very definition behind the benefits of using a freelance writer from the client’s standpoint: I’m someone for whom they don’t have to provide office space, computer resources, pay benefits or even budget for an FTE (full-time equivalent) staff person. Yet they still enjoy the comfort of having a regular team member who understands their culture and functions as an extension of their communications team.
One of these clients asks that I bill by the hours worked, while the other pays a combination of hourly fees for projects and by the word for feature articles. The result is a somewhat predictable stream of income, which is rare in a freelance world where checks can arrive at scattershot intervals.
Regular clients can also develop into a source for further client referrals and testimonials. They’re familiar with your work, and obviously appreciate the efforts or they wouldn’t keep sending work my way. Click on the “Testimonials” tab on the left side of the page, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
The beauty of being a freelance writer is that once you forge a relationship with a client, chances are there will be opportunities for more work than just one project. That isn’t always the case, but it happens often enough that you’ll soon build a large enough client base to keep you busy over the long term. And that’s a good thing.
Posted by Mike on May 7, 2009 at 7:30 AM under