Comments on: 5 Signs You’ve Landed a Great Freelance Writing Job

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:29:49 +0000

I offer content packages, but I don’t consider them a deduction of my normal rates. My packages are more like bundled services which appeal to my target market. The rates offered aren’t reduced much from my standard rates but they offer additional value and upsell to some degree, actually bringing me more work from clients. Many of my content packages are my most popular requests.

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:00:43 +0000

Jake – I’ve only had two of those clients that I can recall, but I know exactly what you mean. That feeling of dread that would overcome me when their names would appear in my inbox or caller-ID was insane. Way too stressful, and I’m happy to say I no longer take on their projects. Fortunately most of my clients are fantastic folks, so it’s rare, but it does happen.

By: Xpat

Xpat — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:59:42 +0000

great list! and as Wolf mentioned, a client who pays on time is another factor to consider..

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:23:41 +0000

Good list, and Jake, that’s a great ‘tell,’ and one I recognize.

Another characteristic is the ability of the client to respond to my discussions about money – how much I charge, how I collect, when I collect, etc. etc. etc. That has become as important to me as the client’s ability to communicate what they need from me in terms of writing.

Thanks,

By: Jake P

Jake P — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:02:34 +0000

For me, the clear “tell” is my instinctive reaction when my phone rings and I see the Caller ID. Am I happy to see it and pick right up, or do I recoil in horror and let it go to voicemail? It kind of ties into your #4, I think.

As far as #3, there’s a line between edits-that-make-it-better and edits-for-the-sake-of-changing-things-so-I’ve-gotten-my-money’s-worth. A great client never crosses that line.

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:39:29 +0000

Clients who pay on time are absolutely a part of great freelance gigs. I don’t think about that much because I bill up front for most projects, but that’s a great addition to the list!

Mitch – I used to offer bulk discounts too (stopped with this year’s price changes). While I won’t kick existing clients off their older negotiated rates (which still work out close to the new rates anyway)I won’t be taking on new clients with bulk discounts. Those kinds of discounts can eat into your bottom line. We’re not talking mass retailers here where you can buy in bulk and pass on the savings. We’re talking about a very finite amount of billable time available in the writer’s schedule. And I can’t justify devaluing that. So I’m leaving discounts to other areas such as by-lined work (my base rates are set on ghostwriting) and for clients who are willing to negotiate for fewer rights if they want lower prices, so I retain the ability to make up the difference elsewhere with that work (for articles and blog posts, not for business-specific commercial writing).

By: Mitch

Mitch — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:59:41 +0000

You know, I love writing blogs, and I have a couple of blog clients, but I’m starting to wonder if my rates are too low. I grade how much I charge based on how many articles a week I’m going to give them, and the per article rate goes down if they request more, but to tell you the truth if they pay for the package where they’re getting the most number of articles that I offer, it doesn’t amount to much money after the fact.

Then again, I only guarantee 200 words, though I usually write more than 400 words per article. It’s never even entered my mind to think of charging more for blogging; that’s a shame.

By: Wolf Shadow

Wolf Shadow — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:19:45 +0000

There is one more characteristic of a great freelance gig: a client who pays on time (within a few weeks. I really appreciate clients who do those and I make an effort to continuously work with them.

By: Carol Tice

Carol Tice — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:05:11 +0000

You’ve hit on the secret a lot of well-paid writers don’t talk about Jenn…they don’t end up having to send many queries, because they get a steady stream of assignments from existing clients. Every story turned in should be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Carol Tice
Make a Living Writing Blog: The 7 Habits of Highly Successful New Freelance Writers: http://www.caroltice.com/blog/42

By: Dan Smith

Dan Smith — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:21:09 +0000

Don’t get me wrong, Jenn, I firmly believe that writers need to work with clients who are going to provide them with both a respectable and appropriate level of pay. I think I probably seemed to skim over the pay part initially as I’m lucky enough to have one client that provides a decent percentage of my earnings who I have worked with for several years and I tend to focus on satisfying that client by offering advice, etc where requested, rather than on the amount of money that they pay me.

Re-reading that, maybe I take that client’s pay for granted? Time to do a little thinking!