One’s success as a freelance writer is largely dependent on how many regular clients, they’re able to attract. In the absence of clients who enlist your services on a consistent basis, you’re liable to go long periods without paying work. That being the case, it’s imperative for writers to put their best foot forward when working with new clients. The more accommodating you are to a client’s needs, the more likely they are to use you again. When it comes to winning over new clients, meeting deadlines is key. Missing a deadline is one of the easiest ways to draw a client’s ire, as it illustrates a dereliction of duty and a lack of respect for one’s client. Fledgling freelancers who want to ensure that missed deadlines are few and far between should put the following tips to good use.
Don’t Accept More Work than You Can Realistically Handle
As a freelancer, it can be hard to say no to new work. Given the feast-or-famine nature of working as a contractor, many writers won’t hesitate to take on unmanageable workloads. After all, too much work is preferable to no work. However, when a staggering amount of work is taken on, the likelihood of missed deadlines increases exponentially. Wanting to score points with a new client is perfectly understandable, but if the amount of work they’re offering you is unmanageable, inform them of your concerns before accepting it. It’s far better to be upfront about any limitations and schedule constraints than to bite off more than you can chew and ultimately wind up disappointing a client.
Create a Manageable Work Schedule and Stick to It
One of the best things about working as a freelancer is not being beholden to a set schedule. Freelance writers who work from home can essentially sleep when they want, eat when they want and write in their pajamas all day. Still, writers who consistently have to juggle multiple deadlines need structure in order to succeed. As such, it’s important for these individuals to create manageable work schedules and stick to them. This means deciding which projects take priority and setting completion dates for every job that’s currently on your plate. This also entails arranging invoices and sending them out in a timely manner. Luckily, you can create your invoices online at Aynax.com in a matter of minutes.
Eliminate Distractions
Distractions are among the biggest hindrances to meeting deadlines. Freelancers – especially those who work from home – frequently have to overcome the temptation to surf the web, check social media, glance at the television or engage in other leisure activities during work hours. Writers who regularly fall prey to the aforementioned distractions should make a point of working in quiet areas, shutting off their phones when dealing with tight deadlines and placing strict limits on the amount of the time they spend engaged in non-work-related activities online.
As any seasoned writer can attest, missed deadlines won’t do you any favors with clients. Writers who are consistently unable to meet deadlines are often viewed as unreliable and have considerable trouble attracting repeat business. Fortunately, staying on top of one’s deadlines doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. Armed with the pointers discussed above, newer writers can greatly reduce the likelihood of missed deadlines and increase their odds of winning over clients.
