Those first clients are crucial

April 3, 2007

In my travels I often come across many interesting things, and it is these interesting things that make for good writing. You can’t write well about things that bore you. People won’t enjoy reading it if you don’t enjoy writing it.

So I wanted to find out something I’ve been wondering about. As a fresh-out-the-box freelance writer you get your office set up, sparkly new lap top, website portfolio, phone and fax line and perhaps even business cards printed, all a-quiver with excitement at getting started. The question is: how do you get that first magical contact that will open up all future doors for you?

Here’s some of the advice proffered by “those who have gone before us”. It may be standing on the shoulders of giants or midgets, but hopefully there’s something to learn here:
http://www.fabfreelancewriting.com/blog/2007/01/06/you-are-your-own-first-copywriting-client/

“You Are Your Own First Copywriting Client. Start advertising and promoting your writing business, and you’ll get customers for your writing. Your customers can be editors who buy your articles or books, or businesses who need to communicate - your customers are those who need your writing products and writing skills.”

http://www.gyford.com/phil/writing/2006/10/26/a_beginners_guid.php#h-marketing

“I hate the very idea of marketing but as a freelancer you can’t avoid the fact that you must sell yourself to get work. The first thing to do is to tell everyone you know that you’re available for work (and what it is you can do). Email, phone, IM or just talk to them and let them know. Don’t assume people will hear about it if you don’t tell them directly (not everyone reads your blog).”

http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000643.html

“Don’t leap without solid footing. Some of you have sent emails in recent months, most of which began like this: “I’ve been thinking about going solo…” If I didn’t say it in my response to you, I’ll say it here: Don’t make the leap until you’ve got the necessary experience and exposure to make it all happen. I said earlier that my leap was one of faith, and though it was, I was also quite confident the timing was right. I had the necessary experience (portfolio, client roll, variety of projects) and exposure (Google search, incoming links, readership) to leave the ground with solid footing, as ironic as that sounds. Had I made the leap a year earlier, I imagine I’d be back at a day job by now. So leap when you’re confident you’ll land smoothly.”

Some fantastic advice I heard today from a fellow freelancer (who will remain nameless to protect his rock star identity *oops*) was this:

“MAKE SURE YOU GET A DEPOSIT BEFORE YOU BEGIN WORKING FOR A CLIENT.”

We love to write or design, but as freelancers we need to eat, and clients who take advantage of you need to be fired immediately. So choose your first clients wisely and set the benchmark as high as possible, so that people know the type of person you are. Afrikaans has a great expression: moenie kak vat nie. This sums it up nicely.

If you have any further advice you’d like to share about those first clients, please feel free to email me on tony@hotcopy.co.za or comment on this blog.

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