Freelance Writers: How to Respond to Client Queries to Get the Job

As a freelance writer, it’s exciting to get a query from a client. Whether you make the initial contact, or a potential client contacts you out of the blue, it’s the possibility of work to come that gets you all giddy inside. But, it’s this giddiness that can blow it for you.

If you’re a freelance writer who wants to add clients to her roster, following are three things not to do in response to client queries.

Freelance Writers: How NOT to Respond to Client Queries

Project Specifics: One of the first things you should not do is rush to provide a response when you don’t know all of the specifics of the project.

Usually, when clients first approach you, they tend to be vague in their project specifications. They’re not trying to be, it’s just that most of them are not freelance writers. Hence, they’re not accustomed to knowing, for example, how much research it will take to pull together what they’re looking for.

Remember, it’s your job to ask enough probing questions to get a feel for what a job really entails before providing a quote.

Deadlines: Many freelance writers get themselves in a pickle by quoting tight deadlines to new clients. This can probably be traced to the giddiness factor again, eg, you’re so excited about possibly landing another client that you say, "I can have this back to you in 24 hours, no problem."

Before you know it, you’re slammed. Your deadline doesn’t leave room for family emergencies; last-minute errands; short, high-paying projects from long-standing clients; personal projects (eg, your ebooks) you want to finish; etc.

Remember this rule when setting freelance writing deadlines: How you begin with a client is what they will expect moving forward. So, give yourself enough time – even if you have nothing on tap at the moment – to get to a project. I will rarely quote a 24-hour turnaround time. It’s usually 2-3 days (eg, "I can have this back to you in 48-72 hours).

This is sufficient for most clients. And, if you finish the project and turn it in before then, you look like a rock star! All the better for your freelance writing credentials (eg, you not only meet deadlines, you beat deadlines).

Detailed Answers: Many times when clients contact you, they will be asking questions for which the answers are readily available on your website and/or in your initial marketing query.

As a professional freelance writer, it’s your responsibility to answer them as thoroughly as possible. Don’t just point them to your website for the answer. This sends a subtle signal that you can’t be bothered to answer their questions.

Answer all questions AND provide links to details on your website. This sends the subtle message that you’re thorough, polite and professional. Now if you give off this impression in a simple query, how likely is the potential client to think that you will do the same with their projects? Very!

As a freelance writer, getting a "bite" from a potential client means that you are more than halfway there to getting the job. Heed the advice here to seal the deal and land even more freelance writing gigs.

About the Author: Yuwanda Black is a freelance writer and the author of How to Make $250+/Day Writing Simple, 500-Word Articles. Ms. Black says, "You can work from home as a freelance writer in your PJs, getting assignments via the internet. I do it every day." Learn more about how to start a successful freelance writing career.