Two Simple Rules Of Successful Freelance Writing

When it comes to making a success of freelance writing, two simple rules will take you far.

Rule #1: Follow The Brief

The brief is there for a reason. It’s meant to tell you how the client wants the job done. It’s true, not all writing briefs are as detailed as you might like. Some people don’t know exactly what they want until they don’t get it. With experience, you learn (most of the time) to spot the briefs with large holes or potential pitfalls. Then you move onto the second rule.

Rule #2: Ask Questions

I ask lots of questions before I start a job. Sure, I’m an expert writer, but I am not a mind reader. The purpose of asking questions is not to tell me how to do my job, but to make sure I know what job the client wants me to do. Questions you might ask include:

• Is this a rewrite of the example you supplied or is the example just source material?

• What length should the article/ebook be?

• Do you want me to stick to your outline or to add content I think is necessary?

There are many other questions to ask, depending on the actual writing job. I find that most clients appreciate the fact that I take the time to ascertain what they need. For them, it provides the security of knowing that I understand the job. For me, it prevents me from wasting time writing something that doesn’t meet the brief.

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