As a freelance copywriter, you want to have a full roster of clients providing you with steady work. But to achieve that, you not only need to be good at your job, you need to be someone enjoyable to work with.
So, how do you become a copywriter clients love working with? By following these five tips I’ve employed throughout my career (and seen results because of). I can’t promise they’ll bring clients flocking to your inbox, but they’ll give you an advantage over those who don’t use them.
These are also great qualities to look for when hiring a copywriter. Every writer might not do all of them, but the writer you’ll enjoy working with most will.
#1: Listen to Your Client
Listening to your client is one of the best things you can do, so working with you is easy. Don’t assume you know what they’re saying in emails and meetings. Listen to what they say and ask follow-up questions so you’re on the same page.
Not listening to your client is a quick way to provide copy they aren’t happy with. If they ask for a promotion email, don’t write them an educational one because that’s what you think they need.
Of course, it’s fine to make suggestions and foster discussion. Part of your job as a copywriter is to be a consultant as well as a writer. If you think an educational email would work better, tell them and explain your reasoning. But if they still don’t want it, listen.
#2: Deliver Work On Time
Turning in your assignments late is unprofessional. Plan your schedule so you deliver your copy on time, if not early. This is one reason clear deadlines are essential. Make sure you both know and agree on the deadline and deliverables before you start writing.
I also encourage turning in work a day early if possible. First, getting your order before you expect it is always a fun surprise. Second, this gives you time to fix any mistakes or major issues that crop up in your copy before it needs to go live.
#3: Follow Guidelines
To go along with the first tip, follow any guidelines the client gives you. If they want you to write in an informal voice, don’t write it like a college paper. If they want all deliverables in a PDF, don’t send them a Google Doc.
It might be a tiny bit more work for you, but they have those guidelines for a reason. By following them, you’re showing you care about their requests. Not following submission requests is one of an editor's top pet peeves, so if you do everything the way you ask, they’ll love it. Clients will keep coming back because they can trust you to deliver the way they want.
#4: Be Knowledgeable
Be knowledgeable about your craft. Learn as much as possible about copywriting, marketing, and all the latest news and technology in those areas. Develop a thirst for knowledge. Things are constantly changing, so keeping up with those changes makes you more valuable as a copywriter.
When you get hired, learn as much as you can about your client, their industry, their products, and their audience. That’s how you create copy that gets results, which is why your client hired you in the first place.
#5: Be Professional
Freelancers have a bad reputation for turning in poor-quality work, ghosting clients, and being cheap. Show you’re not like that by remaining professional whenever possible. Send polite, well-worded emails. Alert your client if something happens to make you turn in work late. Have a clean on-boarding process.
Your clients are probably a little nervous about hiring a freelancer, especially if they’ve never done it before. You can help alleviate those fears by showing you’re running a business, not a little side hobby. Making a client comfortable with you encourages them to hire you again.
Bonus Tip: Go Above and Beyond
One of my favorite ways to make myself unforgettable as a copywriter is to go above and beyond what they ask. If they want weekly blog posts, I provide a content calendar, too. If they ask for email copy, I’ll send ideas for subject lines that pair well with it.
It’s like when you order from a small business, and they send along a little freebie as a thank you. Providing a little extra helps foster a personal connection with your clients. You may not be able to do this for everybody every time, but when you can, they’ll remember it.
Becoming a copywriter clients love working with takes time and effort, but it’s worth it in the long run. Do you have any tips to add? Comment them down below!
Do you want to hire a copywriter who follows these tips to help improve your marketing in 2024? I’d love to chat and see if we’re a good fit! Click the button to start your journal to great copy today.
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