How to approach clients

There are three main ways with which I approach my customers, and this is where you
can get creative. These three main ways are: 1) Posting your own ads; 2) Replying to
other people’s requests; 3) Promoting your online portfolio. I would suggest mastering
these tactics before experimenting with your own, but if you have experience in other
things, then by all means, please feel free to adapt them to your array of sales
techniques.

To diversify your potential for making sales, I suggest employing a combination of all
three. That way you can leverage your time in the same sense as “not putting all your
eggs in one basket.” What I mean by that is that if one way doesn’t work for you, you
have 2 other backups doing business for you somewhere in the pipeline. Before I get
into specifics, the following things must always be obeyed no matter which tactic you
pick:

· Professional attitude – act as if you
work for a Fortune 500 company.
Your buyers want to deal with
someone who’s on point, and
doesn’t take their job half-assedly.

· Proofread EVERYTHING. It doesn’t
matter if you’re writing a sales thread
or a helpful post. Even if you’re
replying to an unrelated thread on a forum board. Think: you’re a writer. Syntax
and spelling errors in ANY forum threads are NOT acceptable.

· Get in the habit of frequently checking your email. By communicating quickly
and replying to emails and Private Messages on time, you instantly add value to
your services.​

 

For more on this, one can go to Carol Tice's site. http://www.makealivingwriting.com/

I don't remember which page it is on, but it is best to read a lot of her content anyway.

It's one of the best sites I have visited so far from a TRUE copywriter.

 

pro.seods

That is some good advice. Creativity comes from the brain, which you are certainly using. As for the constant post interrupter, do not except him to get a true brain. Although he stumbles from post to post in quest of that elusive gem.

Confidence, combined with determination and creativity. With that no one can stop you unless you let them.

 

Aww, poor thing is still pouting?

Here, have a pill to make you feel better.

Would you like the blue or red one?

 

One thing to add to the proofreading concept is to never forget that your next customer might just search for your online activities. Finding poorly written or spammy posts will only help your shiny new prospect move on to someone else.

 

YMC - excellent point

Yes, your website provides clients either confidence or the decision to move on.

I would suggest all viewers, look above (like I did) at the content link, to see a very professional, confidence building website.

Not a negative, but a consideration YMC. I thought you were a firm of X number people, until I saw the word "my". For business clients this site definitively qualifies for a more effective "we".

Nice posting. You prove that you practice what you say!

 

very nice tips on being a professional writer...
I shall try to practice all 3 of them....

 

Wow, are there still grudges over a week later? Oops, sorry. Didn't mean to thread jack!

OP: You have some good points. I especially want to emphasize the proofreading. So much of what I see online today has obviously never been proofread. Silly (and easily avoidable) mistakes can really ruin a person's credibility!

 

I think the main problem which revolves around proof reading is laziness. Many people are lazy to recheck what they have written. And this has happened with me a lot.

 

One way that works for me is to make sure that my regular clients refer me. Clients who have been with me for a long time are always my best advocates because they are comfortable with how I do things and of course — have a lot of faith in me. It is always best to have your praises sung by someone else and someone else who is also your client.

 

@lostpoet: definitely, people who were referred to you are generally also hassle free, because they all ready have confidence in your abilities and don't have to make the judgement themselves (their friend or trusted one made it for them!).

 

^ Exactly! Someone that they trust trusts me and hence it works out great.

 

I like referrals for the reasons already stated but they also make the whole 'how much do you charge' conversation almost moot. Referrals usually come informed with the rates their trusted friend paid and won't be approaching a higher priced writer with offers of the single digit variety.

 

Very true, and I still am amazed that clients I wrote for 3 years back, still are referring me from time to time. It's a big compliment

 

Kraven2 I had someone read one of my articles today about the insurance industry. and call. I have a triple digit writing job for you on Monday --- New York, but it could go national USA for you.

As far as referrals you are absolutely true, but never overlook you present clients. How many times a year do you send them a happy ________ email ? 6 times is about the right number. When is the last time you sent them a free ebook? -------just ideas to think about------------

Like I said, I watch the forum closely, and pass on business to those I feel most qualified. I am very impressed with all the steps Kraven is taking forward, and deserves to be rewarded for it.------------------------------------

 

I send them a free article every now and then, it makes them much happier

Excellent news BTW on that client. Could you check your mail, for this weekend though? There should be one in there from me