A Freelance Writer’s Guide to Getting Paid in a Timely Manner
Earning one’s livelihood through freelance writing isn’t always an easy proposition. In order to make a comfortable living in this field, most writers need to build up a steady base of regular clients and cultivate long-lasting professional relationships. Unsurprisingly, this can often be daunting for fledgling writers looking to get their foot in the door, particularly those who have never worked in a freelance capacity. Fortunately, learning the ropes of freelance writing doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. Putting the following pointers to good use will help new writers build strong relationships and collect payment for their services in a timely manner.
Never Miss a Deadline
Although finishing jobs on-schedule may sound obvious, a surprising number of writers have no qualms about shrugging off deadlines without giving clients so much as a heads-up. This behavior is practically guaranteed to result in delayed payments, as writers who don’t adhere to deadlines can’t realistically expect to be compensated on time. Worse yet, ignoring deadlines will dramatically diminish your chances of attracting repeat business. If a client is given the impression that you’re undependable, your odds of being asked to work for them again are incredibly low. With this in mind, make a point of treating deadlines as sacrosanct. In the event of an emergency that prevents you from finishing work by an agreed-upon date, take care to give the client as much advance notice as possible.
Be Timely With Invoices and Estimates
The sooner you complete a job and send out a corresponding invoice, the sooner you can expect to receive compensation for your work. Many writers make the mistake of waiting for clients to request invoices in spite of the fact that keeping track of their assignments and work hours is their personal responsibility. Furthermore, if a client requests an estimate, it’s strongly recommended that you get it to them within 24 hours. Keeping them waiting will only increase their likelihood of taking their business elsewhere. You can ensure that your estimates have a sleek, professional appearance by trying out an Aynax.com free online estimate template.
Conduct Yourself in a Professional Manner
Even if you’re not dealing with clients face-to-face, it’s imperative that you conduct yourself in a courteous and professional manner when communicating via phone or email. Most businesses have no desire to work with contractors who aren’t polite, responsive and easy to reach. As such, you’ll need to respond to all client communiqués in a timely and gracious fashion. The longer a client has to wait for a response, the less dependable you’re likely to become in their eyes.
Getting by as a freelance writing can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. Conducting yourself in a professional manner, cultivating lasting relationships with clients, and completing assignments on time can prove tremendously helpful in this endeavor. Whether you’ve recently decided to take up freelance writing or you’ve been in the game for years, following the above advice is sure to serve you well.
