Why companies hate most freelance writers (and how to be likeable)
Flaky. Unprofessional. Frustrating.
These are some of the words we’ve heard to describe freelance writers.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! In this episode, we discuss why companies hate most freelance writers and how you can rise above the rest.
Why do some companies avoid working with freelancers?
Many companies want nothing to do with freelancers. Here are common reasons why clients tell us they don’t like working with freelancers:
Easier to do the work themselves.
Onboarding is a long process.
Need someone who is enmeshed in the company.
Doesn’t want to spend a lot of time on the phone and doing hand holding
Either clients have a bad taste in their mouth after the last time they worked with a freelancer, or they feel like they’d rather do the work in-house. Whatever the reason, freelancers play a huge role in setting these perceptions. Let’s look at some of the things that make freelancers unlikable.
Business practices to avoid as a freelance writer
Don’t miss deadlines. Missing deadlines is a huge problem. You’re leaving clients wondering where you went and whether they can trust you.
Instead of ghosting or missing a deadline unannounced, do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. Even when an extenuating circumstance comes up—you get sick, life happens—there are ways to handle it with grace.
Communicate. If something comes up: communicate. Clients would much rather hear the truth than find out you can’t make a deadline after the fact. Transparency goes a long way.
Find help. If you’re overwhelmed with your work, reach out to your freelance community and see if you can get some editing support or outsource one of your posts.
Client trust is built on your actions. If you say you’re going to hand your draft in by Friday, hand your draft in by Friday. (Even better: send the draft a day or two early. Staying well ahead of schedule will exceed your clients’ expectations and provide a positive, memorable experience).
Trust is crucial to a strong freelancer-client relationship. Anything is better than not sticking to your word.
“Deliver what you say you’re going to deliver.”
Don’t make up your process as you go along.
Instead of scrambling and reinventing your process for every client, create some templates and get your processes in place. Not only will you save time (and limit your chances of missing deadlines), but it will help you establish trust with your clients by delivering professional, well-thought-out content.
Don’t be inflexible.
Some companies say freelancers aren’t flexible enough. Sticking with boundaries is important as a freelancer, but sometimes you have to be strategically flexible. No two companies are the same, so you may need to compromise and work within the restraints of a company’s policies and procedures.
As an example, a freelancer could have deposits and payment schedules in place, but the company is strictly Net-30. One thing you could do is find out if Net-15 is an option. If it’s not—weigh whether that works for you and your business.
“Ask questions. Find out if there’s a way you can compromise.”
Don’t have flimsy processes
Some companies may require you to use Slack or other software to work within their teams. Some companies have a long list of strict content requirements or use a committee review process. As a business owner, you get to decide if taking the client on is right for you.
“Our clients hire us to be partners. A partner is willing to stand up for themselves.”
Best practices to make yourself more likable as a freelancer
Ask specific questions during onboarding.
A big part of meeting client expectations is asking the right questions. The more specific, the better.
What’s worked for you in the past?
What extra things can I do to make your life easier?
Who have you hired in the past and what was great about working with them?
Practice proactive communication.
Confusion and worry are emotions you don’t want your client to feel. If you’ve left a client in the dark for a moment too long, they might question what you’re up to. So how can you get ahead of the uncertainty?
Anticipate questions and doubts. Keeping your clients in the loop goes such a long way.
Send a weekly email or set up a call to go over how the project is going. Consistently deliver steady updates:
Here’s when you can expect XYZ
Here’s what I did this week
Here’s what’s coming next week
Another tip: confirm you’re on the same page. Every time you get off of a call with a client, send a bulleted list of what you discussed. Include any priorities for the week and upcoming deadlines.
“I’m going to keep you in the loop and keep you included in the process.”
Treat it as a partnership.
Ask yourself: How can I show this client I’m a partner? In a freelancer-client relationship, no one is the boss of the other. Instead, you’re in a partnership; you’re working together to get the best result.
It can be uncomfortable to speak up about an inefficient process or a new strategy, especially when you’re first starting as a freelancer. But you are a professional. They’re hiring an expert. They’re relying on you to let them know if their process is inefficient or could be better. Share your two cents when it’s appropriate and for the best of the business or end-customers you’re serving.
“Clients want to work with a freelancer who is a partner and can overall make their lives easier.”
Templatize your offboarding process.
Having an offboarding process is just as important as your onboarding process (if not more). Offboarding allows you to leave a lasting impression. It opens the door for future referrals or future work.
Build efficiency into your process.
Instead of reinventing your offboarding after every client project, have a list of specific questions to ask every client:
What worked well?
What can I improve for next time?
What can I do that’ll make me stand out from other freelancers you’ve worked with?
What can I do to make your life easier next time?
Another piece of the puzzle: asking for referrals and testimonials. Offboarding is your opportunity to mention you have space for new clients. You can use offboarding as a time to ask for a testimonial too.
Work with the RIGHT clients
A company is looking to hire you because they need an expert. They need YOU. Find the clients who want to work with you. Clients who see you as a partner, not an employee.
“If you’re marketing yourself as an expert, then you need to find clients that appreciate your expertise.”
Recognize red flags.
If a client has had consistently poor experiences working with freelance writers, that’s going to be a tough sell.
You can always try to get to the bottom of why their experiences were negative, and if there is anything you can do to alleviate that. But bottom line: follow your gut.
Don’t make it personal.
Sometimes things don’t work out. You put your all into a project—you give multiple revisions and do everything you can—but still, the client is not happy. Either they don’t like your writing or they were looking for a deeper level of expertise on the subject matter. Don’t make it personal. It’s not a personal reflection on your worth as a professional. These things happen sometimes. We can’t control every situation.
It’s okay to say no.
Sometimes, even after you start working with a client, something isn’t quite right. Maybe the client’s expectations are beyond what you’d originally intended; they’re expecting Saturday phone calls or a part-time employee at their beck and call.
Or maybe you’re realizing you’re in over your head; the project is beyond your expertise and you can’t be as effective as you promised. It’s okay to come to terms with the fact you can’t continue. There’s dignity and grace in choosing to bow out when you’re not the right fit.
Treat freelance writing as a business
Freelancing is a business. By following these best practices, you’ll provide top-notch service to every client that comes your way (without having to reinvent the wheel every time). Find ways to work smarter, not harder, so you can exceed client expectations and turn your projects into repeat work or referrals.