The Golden Pencil: The Freelance Writer’s Resource

Interview Your Writing Client

by Anne Wayman on February 27th, 2007

The phone rings or an email arrives and it’s someone who wants to hire you to do some writing. At least they want to interview you to see if you’re the right writer for them.

That’s fine, as far as it goes. But I’ve learned over time, that such a call or contact is also an opportunity for me to interview them. Yes, I interview prospective clients. Here’s why:

• I want to know if they are clear on the project they are proposing. If they’re not, I either help them get clear or pass.
• I want to know if their expectations are realistic. If not, I pass.
• I want to know if they have enough money to pay me well. If not, I pass.
• I want to know if we have rapport. If we don’t have a decent rapport, I pass. I know I can’t write for everyone or work with everyone, so I don’t even try.

Sure this means I may refuse a project and the income associated with it, but every time I’ve taken on a gig without being clear on these items, it’s blown up. And that’s no fun, nor is their any point to it, no matter how good the money.

I’ve also learned that there are plenty of clients out there and many of them I can work with – those are the ones I want.

Your criteria will be different. If you don’t have one, develop it now and interview those potential writing clients while they interview you.

Write well and often,

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POSTED IN: Freelance Writing Tips and Ideas, Notes from a Writing Coach