The Art Of Flexibility When You’re A Freelance Writer

August 03, 2011

I’ve spoken before about how I like to think of myself as being a fairly laid back guy.

Like most other people, there are certain things that rile me, but most people I know would agree I’m a pretty calm and collected person — I just think that if you stop, think and take a breath, you’ll almost always come out with a better solution than if you were to react instantly in a not-so-positive way.

Generally speaking, this works well with clients. I try to operate in a low-pressure environment, where I can talk openly to clients and vice versa and I like to think that being both flexible and open, clients can approach me with work knowing that I’ll be able to deliver it to their needs and on time, whether that’s within 24 hours or four weeks.

It’s become apparent in recent weeks, however, that being flexible as a freelance writer can in fact take more planning and preparation — and assertiveness — than I first realised.

I started working with a client a few months ago and I really do love working with them. I’m heavily involved with the business and not only do I think the services they offer are ideal for their target market, but they’re on a topic I’m both interested and experienced in, making the work particularly enjoyable.

As with all of my clients, I’ve tried to be as flexible as I can possibly be and have dedicated more time to the client than they expect and have paid for (as a general rule, I don’t do this, as when you start offering free time, it can easily escalate, but like I said, I particularly love working with this client, so I don’t mind).

The issue is that my flexibility and openness is starting to be taken advantage of. Albeit only in a small way, but taken advantage of nevertheless.

I’m not under any illusions that this is anyone’s fault other than my own, but it’s still not a particularly great feeling.

Don’t get me wrong, this client isn’t getting hours and hours of free work out of me. The issue is based more around the fact that they expect a lot from the business, think I’m the answer to all of their problems and can deliver the results that they want within a matter of weeks.

Sure, it’s great when people think of you like that, but there gets to a point where you’re put on a pedestal that’s so high, one wrong step in any direction and you come crashing to the ground.

And it’s only a small point, but the one thing that gets to me most (which is something that a lot of clients do) is that if they send an e-mail, they expect a reply immediately.

I have to admit that I’ve become a bit lax in regards to e-mails recently, but expecting an instant reply to an e-mail is a personal bug bear.

I know what I’ve got to do in this situation and that’s to simply start to remove myself from the customer in a way that shows I’m still particularly interested, but unless they want to pay for more of my time, they need to understand I have other clients.

It’s not an easy task, though, especially when you’ve got such an interest in the business.

Nothing in life is free, though, right?

And isn’t there another phrase about how nice guys always finish last?!

How flexible are you as a freelance writer? Do you find your level of flexibility brings with it primarily positive or negative points?