Dr. Freelance: I read with interest your recent article about “Getting started as a ghostwriter.” I’ve been asked to quote for ghostwriting/rewriting a 145-page non-fiction book, probably to make it 125 pages. The potential client says it’s written, I just need to get it into shape. He’s annoyed me and shown no client respect so far by canceling yesterday’s meeting at short notice, when I’d already traveled to the area — not that he knows that. He wasn’t particularly apologetic about it. He rescheduled for tonight at an odd time, 8 p.m. in a hotel lobby. We had a five-minute meeting, and he said he’s interested in me for the job. [Read more…]
Brochure writing and playing nice
I secured a brochure writing project for a new client this week, a lead brought to me through one of my graphic designer partners. She asked for a quick ballpark range on what it would cost, so I shot toward the conservative end of things, based on my long-standing belief in the benefits of high estimates. I also asked for a deposit, as I always do with new clients.
The client, let’s call him Bill, signed off on it, but when we had our initial (and only) conversation about the content, he emphasized that he didn’t think the project would really take too long. I assured him that the estimate was just that, and that I would invoice him accordingly. I received his deposit check promptly. [Read more…]
Who’s your longest-term freelance client?
My friends Lori Widmer of Words on the Page and Anne Wayman of About Freelance Writing hosted a nifty little Twitter confab yesterday, #writingsquared. During the session, I asked the crowd, “Who’s your longest-term freelance client, and how did you acquire them?” One person cited a 19-year relationship that came after a speaking engagement — pretty impressive. My record for loyalty goes back to my second year in business (2000), one of the very first cold calls that I made based on Peter Bowerman’s Well-Fed Writer cold-calling technique. [Read more…]
Find new freelance clients with warm calls
Today’s guest blogger on the topic of warm calls is Martha Retallick of Western Sky Communications. Thanks, Martha!
“Cold calling” is a sales technique that strikes fear in the hearts of many freelancers. After all, who wants to listen to strangers saying “no” all day long? [Read more…]
The benefits of high estimates
On to the always-popular (and sometimes contentious) topic of pricing and estimating for freelancers. More specifically today, I want to address the psychological benefits of high estimates via a lesson I learned over the holidays. [Read more…]
Freelance Follies: What’s a good direct-mail response rate?
Direct mail isn’t an exact science, and response rates can vary with the premium offered, the number of postcards mailed, the frequency of mailings, not to mention the quality of the creative concept and the copywriting. Of course, none of that will stop a client from wanting to know: “What’s a good direct-mail response rate?”
Check out the previous Freelance Follies installments at the following links:
- Episode #4: “Can you just wordsmith it a bit?”
- Episode #3: “How much is it going to cost?”
- Episode #2: “Are you done yet?”
- Episode #1: “When are you going to get a real job?”
Do you have an idea for a future Freelance Follies video short? Leave a suggestion in the comments!